Finch, Calvin

McWilliams, Denise A.

Texas A&amp;M Repository

L-2392Texas Agricultural Extension Service~~V Environmentally Safe PracticesPROTECTING THE GARDENDenise A. MeWzlliams and Calvin Finch*(P20S) and 10 pounds of solublepotassium (K20). All three ofthese nutrients can become pol-lutants when applied incorrectly.Nitrogen, the most mobile of thethree, can leach or travel throughthe soil very easily and enter thewater supply. Nitrogen is thenutrient most responsible for algaeblooms in rivers and lakes. Whilenitrogen is necessary to producegreener, leafier plants, the timingof the application is critical. Toomuch at the wrong time can leadto an overabundance offoliage with delayed flower-ing. And if the nitrogen isapplied when the plantcan't use it, it may leachthrough the soil.Phosphorus is necessary forplants to develop strong1-------:""-r1rT1 root systems and produceabundant fruit. Phosphorusthat goes unused by plantscan attach to soil particlesand move during erosion.granular form which can be spreadonto the soil and worked in with atiller or hand tool; and a watersoluble one which can be mixedand sprinkled on the soil or plantleaves.Fertilizers are identified by theiranalysis, the three numbers on thecontainer which refer to the per-centages of nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium. A 100-pound bagof 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10pounds of total nitrogen (N), 10pounds of available phosphorusHard work is the usual re-quirement for a successful,top producing home garden. In ad-dition, fertilizers and pesticides--used wisely and safely--mayenhance the quality and quantityof produce raised. Misuse of thesegarden chemicals, however, cancause problems.As you may already know, thenutrients in fertilizers andmanures which produce lush,quick growth can also contributesignificantly to pollution.Likewise, the chemicals in pes-ticides can cause environmentalproblems if misused. When ap-plied incorrectly or at the wrongtime these nutrients and chemi-cals can become pollutantscontaminating groundwater,streams and, eventually, theGulf of Mexico.Chemical fertilizersfor the garden areavailable in two forms: aFERTILIZERS-Extension training speclallst. agricultural chemicals and Extension horticulturist, The Texas A&M University System.Texas Agricultural Extension service • Zerle L Carpenter, Director • The Texas A&M University System • College Station, TexasEnvironmentally Safe PracticesMEDIUM FEEDERSSpinachBeansPESTICIDESPesticides are chemicals in-tended to prevent, destroy,repel or mitigate any pest. Theyalso can be used as a plantregulator, defoliant or desiccant.These chemicals come in manyforms. They can be in a liquid for-mulation such as an emulsifiableconcentrate (Ee or E), a solution(S), a flowable (F or L), an aerosol(A) or a liquefied gas. They alsocan be found in dry formulationssuch as dusts (D), granules (G),wettable powders (WP or W),soluble powders (SP) or baits (B).The dry formulations can bespread onto the soil or plant ormixed with water, depending onthe label specifications. Some ofthese pesticides also can beAnother method called banding ismore efficient. Place a narrowband of fertilizer a few inches oneither side of the row of seeds andslightly deeper than the seeds. Donot get closer than about 3 inches,or you may burn the seeds.tive ingredients can leach throughthe soil and contribute to waterpollution.LIGHT FEEDERSSide dressing isapplying fer-tilizer after theplants are upand growing.Soluble fer-tilizers can bemixed with waterand applied Peaswhen transplanting. Sometimesthey can be applied directly to thegrowing plant leaves. Some gar-deners like to use nitrate of sodaor other fertilizers that are veryhigh in nitrogen content. Sweetcorn, for example, will benefitfrom a shot of nitrogen at certainstages of growth. Because of thehigh pollution risks and the dangerof burning the plant, however,these high nitrogen fertilizers arenot recommended.HEAVY FEEDERSBroccoli Corn LettucePotassium, the third major ele-ment, is also important to thestrength of plants. It contributesto the formation of protein andcarbohydrates. But like the otherelements mentioned, potassiumwill travel during erosion.Garden vegetables can be groupedinto three categories according totheir fertilizer requirements.Heavy feeders such as sweet corn,lettuce and broccoli will requiremore fertilizer than mediumfeeders such as beans and spinach.Light feeders such as peas havethe lowest fertilizer requirement.Fertilizer can be applied by broad-casting granular fertilizer over theentire garden and tilling it into thetop 6 inches of the soil accordingto the directions on the fertilizerbag. This can be wasteful, how-ever, if the fertilizer reaches areaswhere there are no plants. The ac-2CAUTIONfBjRJ4N{[))~XSlATEI1EKI OF PRACTICAL TREATI1E"TIF SUALLOUED ===========================I F I teiALED =============================I F 0" SKI" ==:::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=:::::=::==IF I" EVES ============================The label will state which pests canbe controlled by each pesticide.The gardener must mak~ certainthat he correctly identifies the pestin order to choose an effectivechemical control.The name of each pesticide is alsoon the product label. The brandname is the most obvious. It is thename the company uses for theproduct and the name which ap-pears in ads.SEE SIDE PANEL FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIOHARV STATEMEKISALWAYS READ THE LABELworked into the soil with a tiller orrake.The soluble dry formulations andthe liquid formulations can bemixed with water and sprayed orsprinkled on the soil or plantleaves.Pesticides are identified by theirbrand or product name, commonchemical name, the pest they con-trol and their toxicity.Because pesticides by nature aretoxic, they can be hazardous topeople. You can tell the toxicity ofa product by reading the signalword on the label.Three signal words are used toprotect users. "DANGER" meansthat the chemical is highly toxic."WARNING" means that thechemical is moderately toxic. And"CAUTION" means that thechemical has low toxicity.3The common chemical name is thegeneral chemical group theproduct is most easily identifiedwith. This chemical name is usual-ly the main active ingredient whichmakes the pesticidework. The amountof active ingredient,given as a percentageby weight or quantityof concentrate, candetermine the toxicityof the product. Aproduct with a 1 per-cent active ingredientis much less toxic thana 60 percent activeEnvironmentally Safe PracticesDO NOT OVER APPLY CHEMICALSTHEY COULD CAUSEingredient formulation of the samequantity of chemical.Because the active ingredient per-centage may vary among similarchemicals it is important for a gar-dener to read the label carefullyfor the suggested amount of chemi-cal to apply to a garden."Percolation of expen-sive pesticides belowplant root zones notonly is an economicloss, but also can con-taminate groundwater. 1IA pesticide user must considermany factors before purchasing achemical. He must know whatpest is to be controlled, whether achemical control can be used, whatproducts will control the pest, theamount of pesticide needed tocover the targeted area, how toapply the product and what safetyconcerns are important.The safety of the gardener is im-portant. If a product labelspecifies that a user wear protec-tive equipment or clothing whenspraying, the suggestion should befollowed. IT produce is not to beused until a specified time periodhas elapsed after spraying observethat interval. If a chemical is notlabeled for a specific vegetable orfruit, do not apply that product.Read the label for mixing, applyingand cleaning instructions beforeusing a pesticide.SAFETYT he safety to the environmentis also important. Do notapply any chemicals when climaticconditions will cause the chemicalto move from the targeted area.Spraying or dusting before rain orheavy irrigation can lead to run-off, erosion loss and contamina-tion of nearby streams. Percolationof expensive pesticides belowplant root zones not only is aneconomic loss, but also can con-taminate groundwater. Even plac-ing a garden hose on contaminatedplants or soil can result in pes-ticide residues on the garden hose.These residues can back-siphoninto drinking water supplies orlater be washed onto nontargetareas.Because of high pollution risksboth to yourself and to the en-vironment, use pesticides only ac-cording to label specifications.These chemicals should be usedonly when a pest problem is evi-dent, when the pest is identified ascontrollable, and alternativemeasures are not effective. Timingof pesticide use also should bemonitored so that effective control4Environmentally Safe PracticesFall is the time to add leaves,compost or manure while usinghand or mechanical pest con-trols. Organic materials will im-prove the soil structure and addnutrients which are slowlyreleased to the soil, while handweeding can save money onpest removal.Be careful when applyingmanure. Some types, suchas poultry manure, have a "nitrogen content highenough to burn youngplants. That's why it is agood idea to apply it in thefall and allow it to agebefore the next gardenseason. This practice mayalso kill weed seed con-tained in the manure.can be obtained with the leastamount of chemical. Plants andpests should be at the stages whenchemical control is suggested bythe label.PREPLANNINGPreplanning is important. Thefall of the year is a good timeto think about next year's garden.Test the soil at this time. Soil testforms and sample bags are avail-able from your local Extensionagent. The soil test will tell youthe soil's nutrient level and pH. Ifthe pH of the soil is outside cer-tain limits, nutrients which are ac-tually in the soil may becomeunusable or unavailable to theplants. Most garden plants do bestin a"pH range of about 5.8 to 7.0,which is slightly acidic to neutral.If the pH is too low, it may benecessary to add lime to the soil toraise the pH. The soil test will alsoindicate nutrient levels, and shouldbe repeated every year or two.Recommended ranges fornutrients are suggested on allExtension soil tests.Fall is not usually a good time toapply fertilizer, however. Thereare few plants to use the fertilizerso it may go where it is not neededor wanted.The sameadvicemayapplyto pes-ticidesunless fall weeds oroverwintering insectsor plant pathogensshould be controlled.oooMter adding organic matter, till itin and then protect the soil byplanting a cover crop, alsocalled a green manurecrop. Rye and winterwheat are excellentcover crops. They willsprout quickly andgrow during the coolerfall months and theirroots will protect soilfrom erosion and run-off. When tilledunder the nextspring, cover cropswill add nutrientsand organic matterto the soil.Organic matter im-proves the soilstructure by in-creasing itscapacity to holdmoisture andnutrients. Or-ganic matteralso addsmicro-nutrientsthat plantsneed onlyin smallamounts.5Environmentally Safe PracticesThis will encourage your gardento out-compete weeds, insects, dis-ease or other pests that might killweak plants.The reward for responsible use offertilizers and pesticides in thegarden is increased vegetable andfruit harvests and an unpollutedenvironment.A successful gardener can getbetter fruit and vegetable size,quantity, shape and quality byusing chemical controls correctlyand only when needed.ESP, Environmentally Safe Practices, is a Texas Agricultural Extension Service program designed to promote~the use of safe practices around the home and landscape. VVhether one is working in household activities,home landscaping and gardening or in production agriculture, environmentally sound practices should be used.It is the responsibility of our generation to make wise use of environmental resources and to extend the use to f2\~future generations. ~~~Funding for this publication was provided by the Extension Service - USDA under the USDA WaterQuality Initiative.Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race,color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Aariculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, andJune 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Zerle l. Carpenter, Director, Texas Agricultural Extension Service,The Texas A&M University System.10M-2-90,New HORT

Protecting the Garden.

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Protecting the Garden.

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Texas A&M Repository

Protecting the Garden.

Abstract

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Texas A&amp;M Repository

Texas A&M Repository