HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-15, Page 49READY FOR TRANSPLANT - Once young seedlings develop two pairs of
leaves, they are ready for transplant Here, George Durnford of Guelph. Ont.,
transfers young pepper plants into larger pots. After a few more weeks of growth,
the seedlings will be "hardened off" and then transferred into the garden. (photo
by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food).
Summer lawn care is vital
The Canadian homeowner of the eighties,
is placing more emphasis on having a
beautiful lawn. He demands that his lawn is
appealing, showcasing his home in the
neighbourhood. He also wants a lawn that is
functional, so his children can play safely on
it, and he can enjoy surnrner pastimes ,
without concern of destroying his lawn. Un- :
fortunately, most homes are built over soils
which, without added nutrition, could not
support a healthy stand of turfgrass. Thus
additional nutrients in the form of fertilizer
must be added to the soil, to produce a lawn
which reaches the homeowners expecta-
tions and demands.
When a lawn is not fertilized properly,
nutrient deficiency symptoms will likely
develop. The three major nutrients tur-
fgrass requires to grow normally are
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Secon-
dary nutrients such as magnesium, calcium
and sulphur, are also required for growth,
only they are required in smaller amounts.
Nitrogen is the most essential element in-
volved in turfgrass growth. Nitrogen in-
fluences shoot growth, root growth, shoot
density, colour, recuperative potential, and
stress and disease tolerance. Unfortunately,
nitrogen is the most likely element to be
deficient in the soil, as it is readily leached
and lost' .to the atmosphere. When turf
becomes deficient in nitrogen, older leaves
will turn yellow. ' As nitrogen deficiency
symptoms continue, shoot density
decreases and each turfgrass plant becomes
spindly and weak.
Phosphorous is involved in establishment,
rooting and reproduction of turfgrass.
Phosphorous is particularly important dur-
ing establishment of newly planted seed and
sod. Phosphorous stimulates root growth. In '
most soils phosphorous is not deficient,
however, it is bound up in a form which is
not available to the turfgrass.
When established turf is deficient in
phosphorous, there is a red•iction in tillering
and shoot growth.
Potassium influences rooting, drought,
heat and cold hardiness, wear tolerance;
and disease susceptibility. Visual effects of
turf density, colour, and growth may not bE
influenced directly by potassium
Potassium tends to be in the soil in larg
amounts, compared to nitrogen ar
phosphorous.
However, like nitrogen and phosphorou
potassium can be leached from the soil an
can be bound up in a form which
unavailable to the turfgrass. Thus, add
tional potassium must be added as fel
tilizer. As deficiency symptoms are no
readily visible, turf deficient in potassium
will be more susceptible to disease, will no
be as wear tolerant, and heat or cold har
diness will be decreased.
Along with the ensuring deficiency symp
toms do not develop, another reason to fer
tilize is to provide long term weed control.
Most weed grasses and broadleaf weed:
are not competitive against a vigorous stanc
of turfgrass. Fertilizing will increase tur
density, and increase shoot and tille
growth. Weeds are unable to establish an(
compete against turfgrass under these cu
cumstances. Thus, fertilizing is an effectiv
method of weed control in the long term.
Sound fertilizer practices will help ensue
the turf in the lawn will not be as susceptibl
to disease infections. Certain diseases wi
infect turfgrass that is deficient, in a certai
element. For instance, dollar spot, a seriou
disease affecting annual bluegrass and ber
tgrass, is more infectious to turfgrass that i
lacking nitrogen.
Also, fertilizer, by promoting root growth
will help the turf be more tolerant ti
diseases affecting the roots.
If a lawn is in a weakened state as a resul-
of insect .damage, fertilizer application wil
aid and speed
l cat opthe
nwilll
awn's recovery. Fer
tilizer app also help thinned tur
recover from neglect and poor managemen-
practices.
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and 26 at the..
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524-9201
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