BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

actually small plants, and other disease organisms. Tey use the living tissue of desirable plants for their food. Insects cause direct damage to plants by feeding on plant parts. When insects eat too much, the plants die. Insects cause indirect damage when animals tear up the area seeking them for food. Weeds can be unsightly and they can crowd out desirable plants.

Best Management Practices (BMP) incorporate multiple means to not only protect the environment, but have a positive impact on environmental quality that is both sustainable and economically viable.

Te term BMP relates to all aspects of lawn and landscape care, combining sound agronomic practices with environmental stewardship to produce and maintain functional green areas that are ecologically sustainable while contributing to human health and well-being.

As it relates specifically to lawns, BMP starts with selection of the best adapted grass species and varieties for the site and its intended uses. Tat is followed by proper site preparation, lawn installation and establishment methods, and long-term maintenance procedures. An important component of BMP is environmental stewardship. Tat includes conservation of water through proper irrigation practices that supply lawn needs without overwatering, and eliminating runoff, thus reducing waste and preserving existing water resources both above and below ground.

BMP focuses on reducing inputs to use all resources in the most efficient manner possible.

It also incorporates Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices as part of overall ecosystem-based strategies that utilize observation and the least invasive techniques such as modification of cultural practices and adaptations of habitat to minimize the need for pest control materials.

Tere are a variety of pests that add challenges to maintaining a healthy lawn. Tey include animals, diseases, insects, and weeds. Most damage initiated by animals happens when they are digging for insects in the lawn. Raccoons, skunks and armadillos are the prime culprits. Most diseases are caused by fungi, which are

TPI Turf News November/December 2016 For more information on lawn care and helpful “How to” tips, visit The Lawn Institute at http://www.TheLawnInstitute.org.

Te first step in control is recognizing a problem and determining what pest is causing it. Te next step is deciding if the pest is causing enough damage to warrant control. In small quantities, any of these pests are fairly inconsequential. In some cases, the best course of action is to take no further steps.

Te best way to avoid pest damage is encouraging the growth of healthy grass plants. Whether these plants are in a lawn or other landscaped areas, used as a playing surface for sports, or used for environmental protection or aesthetics along roadsides, if they are healthy they’ll be less bothered by pests.

If pest control is warranted, the next step in IPM is deciding the best control to use. Tere usually are several choices. Tey can include cultural or biological controls. Tey might include pesticides. Tese can be organic or synthetic. When using any pesticide, it is important to use it properly. Read the label and precisely follow all instructions. Tis includes mixing the pesticide according to directions, following all safety precautions and applying it under the proper conditions.

BMP focuses on sustainability with lawn care practices that are beneficial to the lawn and the environment. Sustainability incorporates eco-based horticultural practices including water conservation, limited inputs, use of more natural or organic fertilizers and control products, and energy and resource saving strategies such as recycling grass clippings.

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