
National Park ServiceMidwest Region Pilot Turf Stewardship ProjectPreliminary ReportFort Scott National Historic SiteFort Scott, KansasPrepared by Chip Osborne and Jay FeldmanFebruary 2011BEYOND PESTICIDES701 E Street SE , Washington, DC 20003www.beyondpesticides.org
Soil Texture • Soil is the foundation of our landscape. • Comprised of sand, silt, and clay mixed with varying amounts of organic matter, water, and air. • Soil is very much alive. • Ideal soils are typically described as having the following characteristics: 45% mineral, 25% air, 25% percent water, and 5% organic matter.
Soil Chemistry Basics • pH (Acidity or Alkalinity) • Nutrient Management • Organic Matter (OM) and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Soil Biomass and Microorganisms • Soil biomass is the foundation upon which our nutrient program is based. • In taking a “feed the soil” approach, soil microbes are at the heart of our management strategy. • Natural, organic fertilizer is broken down by the microbial life to nutrients for the plant. • Synthetic fertilizers by their nature, and with high salt content, compromise the activity of the life in the soil.
Managing the Biomass • Compost Tea • Large number of microbes to soil • Humates • Builds healthy soil; Increased organic matter which helps to reduce N loss through leaching; Contains carbon as an energy source for microbes; Improves soil structure, aggregation, water infiltration, aeration, and water-holding capacity; Increases nutrient availability to the grass plant; Facilitates mineral breakdown; Increases microbial activity; And, helps with root growth and penetration, and chlorophyll density • Compost • Increases soil organic matter; When combined with over-seeding, enhances germination and establishment; By virtue of its neutral pH and healthy microbial population, helps buffer the soil and counteract naturally acidic soils without the use of lime; During decomposition, continues to release nutrients
Transition Period • When moving from a conventional program to a natural one, the length of transition is directly related to the intensity of current and past management practices and the overall turf quality. • After years of synthetic, water-soluble fertilizers with high salt levels, the soil microbiology has been bypassed and somewhat compromised. • Don’t expect a collapse or failure.
Fertility and Turfgrass Nutrition • Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P). • Nitrogen not just from liquid fertilizer, also from compost topdressing, compost tea and humic substances, microbial inoculants, and grass clippings. • Synthetic fertilizers provide “quick green-up,” but pollute and require many applications. • Organic fertilizers work with soil microbial life.
Cultural Practices • Irrigation • Deep watering • Cultivation • Need non-compacted, aerobic soils • Over-seeding • Maximum density of grass suppresses weeds • Mowing • 3 inches
Site Analysis • Soil profile: clay loam base layer with 6” of topsoil • Limestone is the parent rock material • Two areas: Visitor Center, Parade Ground • Primary grass species is Buffalo grass (75%); other: Kentucky bluegrass and Perennial ryegrass • Weed issues (community pressure): Henbit and dandelions
Site Analysis: History • About 20 years ago the Parade Ground was topdressed with 3 ton of sand/acre and the area was seeded resulting in a substantial thickening of the turf • Mowing has generally been done on a weekly basis at a height of 3 ½ “ to 4” • Mulching mowers are used and clippings are returned to the turf • 10 years ago the height was raised to 6” with no substantial increase in turf density • Seeding has been done in weak areas where trees were removed • Irrigation was installed 7 to 8 years ago • The Parade Ground is rarely watered, but the Fire Road receives water in dry spells to maintain green turf • There has been no aeration in recent history • Fescues are periodically treated with a glyphosate application when the Buffalo grass is dormant • Glyphosate is routinely sprayed on the bricks to control weeds and grasses • Dipel Pro F (Bacillus thuringensis) is sprayed on trees for control of a variety of caterpillar pests • For the past several years fertility and weed control has been managed with annual applications of Scotts Plus 2.
Recommendations • Begin a low impact organic fertility program that will address both the health of the soil and the nutritional needs of the turfgrass • Aerate once or twice a year during transition to allow for good root development of the desirable grasses. • Buffalo grass prefers water in-soluble N (slow release), low dose fertility recommended • Compost tea was discussed as an input. This material could be prepared on site. • The ph should be adjusted slightly upwards • Humic acid as a soil supplement should be used • An inoculum of beneficial microbes should be applied to indroduce organisms that will colonize the root systems • Maintain 4” mowing height • Topdress with well-aged compost • General overseeding to improve turf density • On turf, move away from glyphosate use for unwanted plant control by using a topical burn down product • On sidewalks and walkways with unwanted vegetation, utilize hot water treatment machines
Sample Schedule April Aerate Fertilize .75 lb N/1000 sq ft Seed bare spots May Mowing begins at 4” June Liquid or granular humate Microbial inoculum July 15 Fish hydrolysate 6 gal/ac spray August 15 Compost tea with humate 20 gal/ac spray September 1 Aerate Compost topdress .5 cu yd/1000 sq ft Fertilize .75 lb N/1000 sq ft General overseed thin spots November Final cut
Sample Programs Level 1 Program 4lbs N 2 lbs N from granular product $7.50/1lb N $15.00/1000 1 Compost Topdress $30.00/cu yd $23.00/1000 2 over-seedings 5lbs/1000 $2.00/lb-$10.00/1000 x 2 $20.00/1000 *Other apps $15.00/1000 $73.00/1000 Level 2 Program 3 lbs N 2 lbs N from granular product $7.50 $15.00/1000 1 over-seeding 5 lbs/1000 $2.00lb-$10.00/1000 $10.00/1000 *Other apps $15.00/1000 $15.00/1000 $40.00/1000
Sample Programs Level 3 Program 2 lbs N 1.5 lbs N from granular product $15.00/1000 $11.25/1000 Seeding to address thin /bare areas $10.00/1000 *Other apps $10.00/1000 $31.25/1000 Level 4 Program 1 lb N 1 lb N from granular product $7.50/1000 $7.50/1000 Minimal seed $7.50/1000 $15.00/1000
Supplemental Information • Weed Control • Nutrient Management • Soil Conditioner • Products that Address and Assist Soil Microbiology • pH Adjusting Materials
Contact • Jay FeldmanBeyond Pesticides701 E Street SE, Washington, DC 20003jfeldman@beyondpesticides.org, 202-543-5450 www.beyondpesticides.org • Chip OsborneOsborne Organics11 Laurel Street, Marblehead, MA 01945ozflor@aol.com, 781-631-2468 www.osborneorganics.com