The
organic movement has a foothold in the turfgrass and ornamental industry. The
same industry brewing for decades in home vegetable gardens, and then with
small-scale producers, has emerged as a significant market percentage for
commercial landscapers. Homeowners are asking for “organic” landscape plants,
organic methods of controlling pests and applications of “organic” fertilizer
to their landscapes.
organic movement has a foothold in the turfgrass and ornamental industry. The
same industry brewing for decades in home vegetable gardens, and then with
small-scale producers, has emerged as a significant market percentage for
commercial landscapers. Homeowners are asking for “organic” landscape plants,
organic methods of controlling pests and applications of “organic” fertilizer
to their landscapes.
Migration of Organics to the Landscape Industry
Alternative
methods for producing and maintaining ornamentals and turfgrass have been
around for a long, long time. In the past, very few residential clients were
willing to pay for the additional costa associated with the product. That may
be changing thanks to local food movements and organic agriculture1.
The word “organic” has become synonymous with “wholesome” and “safe”.
methods for producing and maintaining ornamentals and turfgrass have been
around for a long, long time. In the past, very few residential clients were
willing to pay for the additional costa associated with the product. That may
be changing thanks to local food movements and organic agriculture1.
The word “organic” has become synonymous with “wholesome” and “safe”.
 |
| Organic fertilizers for vegetable gardens |
Organic
has a different meaning in landscape horticulture industry. Organic can mean
sources that are not synthetic or conventional. Organic amendments, such as
municipal and animal sources of biosolids, can be applied to improve soil physical
and chemical properties which in turn can improve turfgrass establishment rates,
growth, and quality. We know, for instance, that in poor or marginal soils the
incorporation of compost improves soil properties, increases soil nutrients and
consequently improves plant growth. In soils with a naturally higher percentage
of organic matter these improvements are less noticeable.
has a different meaning in landscape horticulture industry. Organic can mean
sources that are not synthetic or conventional. Organic amendments, such as
municipal and animal sources of biosolids, can be applied to improve soil physical
and chemical properties which in turn can improve turfgrass establishment rates,
growth, and quality. We know, for instance, that in poor or marginal soils the
incorporation of compost improves soil properties, increases soil nutrients and
consequently improves plant growth. In soils with a naturally higher percentage
of organic matter these improvements are less noticeable.
 |
| Nitroform urea used in the landscape industry could be classified as an “organic” fertilizer even though it is manufactured |
Composted Dairy Manure Reduced Turfgrass Disease in Colorado
Research
at Colorado State University evaluated the effects of applying composted dairy
manure as topdressing to Kentucky bluegrass. Researchers applied compost at the
rates of 13.3, 26.6 and 40 cubic yards to the acre. Applying composted manure as
topdressing to established bluegrass in 2003 through 2004 improved the soil’s
physical properties and nutrient content.
at Colorado State University evaluated the effects of applying composted dairy
manure as topdressing to Kentucky bluegrass. Researchers applied compost at the
rates of 13.3, 26.6 and 40 cubic yards to the acre. Applying composted manure as
topdressing to established bluegrass in 2003 through 2004 improved the soil’s
physical properties and nutrient content.
 |
| EZ Green Is a composted chicken manure product for the landscape industry that is OMRI listed product for the organic program by USDA |
Although
nothing new, the application rates are important. The two higher rates improved
turfgrass overall quality and allowed the grass to retain color in the fall,
early winter and green up faster in the spring. Not bad for a product that is
not considered a fertilizer.
nothing new, the application rates are important. The two higher rates improved
turfgrass overall quality and allowed the grass to retain color in the fall,
early winter and green up faster in the spring. Not bad for a product that is
not considered a fertilizer.
During
the hot summer months the two higher application rates produced about 50% more
clippings. The researchers concluded that compost improves turf quality and
shoot growth via its action as a slow-release fertilizer.
the hot summer months the two higher application rates produced about 50% more
clippings. The researchers concluded that compost improves turf quality and
shoot growth via its action as a slow-release fertilizer.
 |
| Lawn clippings remove from the grass and left on the curbside for dumping in landfills. These clippings are filled with valuable nutrients that could be returned to the lawn resulting in one less fertilizer application each year. |
More
turfgrass clippings sound like a potential landscaper’s nightmare but there is
a positive side to this “problem”. Increased
amounts of clippings in summer months helps suppress the incidence of hot
weather diseases. Infected leaf blades are removed through regular mowing and
mulched back into the turfgrass sward or removed from the property.
turfgrass clippings sound like a potential landscaper’s nightmare but there is
a positive side to this “problem”. Increased
amounts of clippings in summer months helps suppress the incidence of hot
weather diseases. Infected leaf blades are removed through regular mowing and
mulched back into the turfgrass sward or removed from the property.
Disease
suppression by composts, composted biosolids and compost teas in vegetable
crops has been documented fairly well. But research has been conducted on the
suppressive effects of composts, such as biosolids, on turfgrass diseases as
well, dating back 20 years or more.
suppression by composts, composted biosolids and compost teas in vegetable
crops has been documented fairly well. But research has been conducted on the
suppressive effects of composts, such as biosolids, on turfgrass diseases as
well, dating back 20 years or more.
 |
| Compost tea applicator used for soil applications |
This research
shows promise to “organic” gardeners by reducing the application of fungicides,
synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals to home lawns. Composts show promise
in controlling turf diseases such as Pythium, summer patch, brown spot, dollar
spot, red thread, necrotic ring spot and others. Reductions in the applications of pesticides
such as fungicides, directly supports the “organic” movement whether it is
truly organic or not.
shows promise to “organic” gardeners by reducing the application of fungicides,
synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals to home lawns. Composts show promise
in controlling turf diseases such as Pythium, summer patch, brown spot, dollar
spot, red thread, necrotic ring spot and others. Reductions in the applications of pesticides
such as fungicides, directly supports the “organic” movement whether it is
truly organic or not.
 |
| Lawn clippings from commercial properties represent a huge amount of fertilizer that is removed from the lawn grasses and buried in landfills. |
Composted Biosolids Benefits To Landscapes Shown by Texas Researchers
Researchers
at Texas A and M University, from 2005 through 2008, demonstrated the benefits
from composts used for soil improvement and nutrient enrichment can be transferred
from the sod farm to newly established landscapes. Previous studies with sod
that recycled manure-based soil amendments as topdressing indicates that 77% of
the phosphorus and 47% of the nitrogen might be removed and transported in a
single sod harvest.
at Texas A and M University, from 2005 through 2008, demonstrated the benefits
from composts used for soil improvement and nutrient enrichment can be transferred
from the sod farm to newly established landscapes. Previous studies with sod
that recycled manure-based soil amendments as topdressing indicates that 77% of
the phosphorus and 47% of the nitrogen might be removed and transported in a
single sod harvest.
About
one quarter of the cubic yard of composted biosolids was incorporated to
rootzone depth in a cubic yard of native soil when establishing Tifway
bermudagrass sod. Researchers measured that five times more nitrogen and seven
times more phosphorus was available to turfgrass grown in biosolids compared to
grass grown without biosolids.
one quarter of the cubic yard of composted biosolids was incorporated to
rootzone depth in a cubic yard of native soil when establishing Tifway
bermudagrass sod. Researchers measured that five times more nitrogen and seven
times more phosphorus was available to turfgrass grown in biosolids compared to
grass grown without biosolids.
 |
| Fertilizer content of composted biosolid product by a local Las Vegas supplier |
After
two sod harvests, all of the nitrogen and phosphorus applied from the biosolids
was removed with the sod. These nutrients were transferred, with the sod, to
the landscape.
two sod harvests, all of the nitrogen and phosphorus applied from the biosolids
was removed with the sod. These nutrients were transferred, with the sod, to
the landscape.
Although
not demonstrated, researchers claimed that this could result in faster
establishment times and better turfgrass cover in a shorter period of time. This,
of course, would reduce the amount of fertilizers needed during sod
establishment. Another coup for the
organic movement.
not demonstrated, researchers claimed that this could result in faster
establishment times and better turfgrass cover in a shorter period of time. This,
of course, would reduce the amount of fertilizers needed during sod
establishment. Another coup for the
organic movement.
They
also found that sod established with biosolids was lighter in weight than sod
grown without biosolids. Biosolids-grown sod contained more water but less
native soil than sod without biosolids. This helped preserve the native soil. Less
fuel is needed for transporting the sod. Organics, are you listening?
also found that sod established with biosolids was lighter in weight than sod
grown without biosolids. Biosolids-grown sod contained more water but less
native soil than sod without biosolids. This helped preserve the native soil. Less
fuel is needed for transporting the sod. Organics, are you listening?
Composts Release Fertilizer Nutrients Slowly
Composts,
when used as a fertilizer, releases nutrients slowly, acting like a
slow-release fertilizer. When establishing turfgrass in sod farm operations,
rapid turfgrass establishment is important so a rapid release of nutrients,
particularly nitrogen, is needed.
when used as a fertilizer, releases nutrients slowly, acting like a
slow-release fertilizer. When establishing turfgrass in sod farm operations,
rapid turfgrass establishment is important so a rapid release of nutrients,
particularly nitrogen, is needed.
This was
not going to happen with compost-amended soils. So the researchers applied
either 50 or 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre at the time of sprigging (establishment)
to supplement the slowly-released nutrients contained in the compost.
not going to happen with compost-amended soils. So the researchers applied
either 50 or 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre at the time of sprigging (establishment)
to supplement the slowly-released nutrients contained in the compost.
Because
of the application of supplemental nitrogen, the time between harvests in biosolids-amended
soil plus fertilizer was reduced 60% compared to the time needed for sod grown
with biosolids only.
of the application of supplemental nitrogen, the time between harvests in biosolids-amended
soil plus fertilizer was reduced 60% compared to the time needed for sod grown
with biosolids only.
Similarly,
other researchers reported better turf coverage and density when a two to three
inch depth of compost was incorporated to a 6 inch soil depth compared to soil
without compost. They attributed these responses to improvements in the soil’s
physical properties such as better pore spaces, greater rooting depth and improved
drainage.
other researchers reported better turf coverage and density when a two to three
inch depth of compost was incorporated to a 6 inch soil depth compared to soil
without compost. They attributed these responses to improvements in the soil’s
physical properties such as better pore spaces, greater rooting depth and improved
drainage.
Applying Too Much Compost Two Landscapes Can Be a Bad Thing
Composts
can be over-applied to landscapes. This can become a serious environmental
concern to surface waters such as irrigation ponds and waterways. When composts
high in nutrients such as nitrogen are applied to turfgrass as topdressing,
researchers have found a significant amount of nitrogen can be transported to
these waterways.
can be over-applied to landscapes. This can become a serious environmental
concern to surface waters such as irrigation ponds and waterways. When composts
high in nutrients such as nitrogen are applied to turfgrass as topdressing,
researchers have found a significant amount of nitrogen can be transported to
these waterways.
Incorporation
of composts to a greater depth should reduce the amount of nutrients removed
compared with topdressing. Incorporation of composts to greater depths should
allow for less frequent applications as well which would save money. In
addition, soil incorporation of biosolids should reduce the potential for
runoff of nutrients after establishing in urban landscapes.
of composts to a greater depth should reduce the amount of nutrients removed
compared with topdressing. Incorporation of composts to greater depths should
allow for less frequent applications as well which would save money. In
addition, soil incorporation of biosolids should reduce the potential for
runoff of nutrients after establishing in urban landscapes.
1USDA “trademarked” the term “organic” into its National Organic Program
in The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. This federal act required USDA to develop
national standards for organic products and was codified in 2000 (Code of
Federal Regulations at 7 C.F.R. 205). So far, it has only been applied to food
crops. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop
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