EducationEducation is a large part of what we do! If you have a group (adults or children) who would like to hear more on a conservation subject contact us to set up a date and time! The following page highlights a conservation or nature related topic we feel the need to share!
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Spring = Green
Spring has finally shown its warm, beautiful head! With that being said many people are thinking about getting their lawns green and gardens growing which usually means: FERTILIZER. Before treating your lawn we highly recommend getting a soil test to make sure you are buying exactly what your lawn or garden needs. For instance, in our area, phosphorus (P) tends to be high in concentration so adding more to your lawn can cause it to leach into ground or surface water. Like nitrogen (N), high amounts of phosphorus can be considered a pollutant in our waterways because of its role in algal growth.
Many might not realize that when algae grows uncontrollably it is actually a bad occurrence for an aquatic ecosystem. Large algal blooms at first provide oxygen, habitat, and food for organisms but as the algae dies and begins to decompose it spells bad news. Decomposition requires oxygen, so with a large amount of algae decomposing oxygen will become depleted in the ecosystem killing or driving out any organisms within the area. This is especially noticeable in lakes or ponds where a serious algal bloom can cause a fish kill. In a flowing system, such as a creek or river, this isn't as noticeable because oxygen is introduced by rapids and from upstream of the algal bloom. But lower oxygen levels can harm more sensitive organisms, driving them out or killing them and lowering the diversity in the ecosystem. Diversity is important for many reasons but especially for an ecosystem's resilience to stress factors such as disease.
Too much fertilizer is also not good for your plants! The salts in fertilizer can cause "fertilizer burn" on the plant's roots disrupting the water uptake. Plants can also be more prone to pests and disease when over fertilized. This is all the more reason to test before applying fertilizer and only applying what you need (which may also save you money). Some vegetable plants, like tomatoes, will also have delayed bloom production if they are fertilized too much.
Properly applying fertilizer is just as important as applying the right amount. If rain comes in shortly after application the plants haven't had enough time to absorb any of the fertilizer so it can easily wash away into a storm drain. It is important to make sure it isn't supposed to rain for at least 24 hours after fertilizer application. Fertilizer should also be swept back into the yard from any hard surfaces to keep it from washing away.
Having a healthy landscape is an important step in reducing soil erosion and increasing water retention. Soil is a precious commodity necessary for life. We need to do all we can to protect and conserve our soils in order to keep plants, animals, and us healthy as well as our beloved ecosystems strong.
https://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/04/too-much-fertilizer-is-not-a-good-thing/
https://extension2.missouri.edu/eqm105f
Many might not realize that when algae grows uncontrollably it is actually a bad occurrence for an aquatic ecosystem. Large algal blooms at first provide oxygen, habitat, and food for organisms but as the algae dies and begins to decompose it spells bad news. Decomposition requires oxygen, so with a large amount of algae decomposing oxygen will become depleted in the ecosystem killing or driving out any organisms within the area. This is especially noticeable in lakes or ponds where a serious algal bloom can cause a fish kill. In a flowing system, such as a creek or river, this isn't as noticeable because oxygen is introduced by rapids and from upstream of the algal bloom. But lower oxygen levels can harm more sensitive organisms, driving them out or killing them and lowering the diversity in the ecosystem. Diversity is important for many reasons but especially for an ecosystem's resilience to stress factors such as disease.
Too much fertilizer is also not good for your plants! The salts in fertilizer can cause "fertilizer burn" on the plant's roots disrupting the water uptake. Plants can also be more prone to pests and disease when over fertilized. This is all the more reason to test before applying fertilizer and only applying what you need (which may also save you money). Some vegetable plants, like tomatoes, will also have delayed bloom production if they are fertilized too much.
Properly applying fertilizer is just as important as applying the right amount. If rain comes in shortly after application the plants haven't had enough time to absorb any of the fertilizer so it can easily wash away into a storm drain. It is important to make sure it isn't supposed to rain for at least 24 hours after fertilizer application. Fertilizer should also be swept back into the yard from any hard surfaces to keep it from washing away.
Having a healthy landscape is an important step in reducing soil erosion and increasing water retention. Soil is a precious commodity necessary for life. We need to do all we can to protect and conserve our soils in order to keep plants, animals, and us healthy as well as our beloved ecosystems strong.
https://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/04/too-much-fertilizer-is-not-a-good-thing/
https://extension2.missouri.edu/eqm105f
