04 ATTACHMENT 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

7. Aerate compacted soils 8. Feed soils naturally .'~ U ~ti a It is not always possible to remove topsoil or otherwise protect it during construction. Additionally, soils under turf subject to heavy use become compacted, which can increase the lawn's susceptibility to weeds, drought, disease and insect damage. ^ Specify that soil be mechanically aerated before amending and planting. ^ Reduce subsoil compaction by ripping or trenching. ^ Deep tap-rooted plants can be seeded to break up compacted soils in non-turf areas. Mow before plants have gone to seed, leaving organic matter on the soil surface as mulch. ^ Mechanically aerate soil under turf at least once a year: the number of times will depend on use and type. Aerating in the spring is best. Avoid doing so in the summer. Topdress with compost following aeration. ^ Use power augers or water jets to create holes in compacted soil around trees and shrubs. Fill with compost. Root growth is stimulated and plants are more easily established. Water and fertilizer requirements may be lessened, while disease is resisted. ;~ _. There are important benefits to regularly adding a thin layer of good compost to the surface of the soil under turf, perennials, shrubs or trees, or drenching the soil with compost tea. ^ Feed turf, especially after aeration, by topdressing with fnely screened compost: one-fourth of an inch applied 2-4 times per year will show good results. Apply compost once or twice each year to the base of the plant or under the dripline. Be sure the compost is free of weed seeds and the plant is also mulched at an optimum thickness. You can scatter the compost over the mulch and it will settle to the surface of the soil. ^ As an alternative, feed the soil around trees and shrubs with compost tea. Refer to the tip on Compost Tea. TIPS FOR SUCCESS Compost Tea is... ... a water extract of mature compost. Nutrients, including a wide variety of macro and micronutrients, and beneficial microorganisms diffuse into the extract from the compost during the 'brewing' process. Using compost tea can help re establish a healthy soil foodweb that: ^ Suppresses disease ^ Cycles and retains nutrients ^ Improves soil structure ^ Decreases the need for pesticide & fertilizer use Starting with a quality, fully mature, microbially diverse compost is important. Brewing includes aeration to keep the medium flushed with oxygen and the aerobic organisms alive and reproducing. Often times molasses, kelp, rock dust or other ingredients are added to enhance microbial growth. Different recipes can be effective in encouraging bacterial growth for use of the tea on vegetable crops, or fungal growth for use on fruit trees. But a diversity of organisms in the tea optimizes overall disease suppression, nutrient retention and cycling. Compost tea is best used soon within hours and no later than Iday -after it is produced. It can be sprayed onto lawns, the foliage of trees and ornamentals or to the soil under them.Thorough coverage of leaf surfaces is important and the best time of day for applying to foliage is in the evening. For more information: www.composttea.org• www.attra.or~; wwwsoilfoodweb.com Equipment for Brewing Compost Tea: EPM, Inc., www.composttea.com: Growing Solutions, www.growingsolutions.com: SoilSoup, wwwsoilsoup.com; Lyngso Garden Materials, www.lynesoQarden.com A strong soil foodweb, which makes nutrients available to the plants and protects water quality, is rwrtured. Topdressing turf with compost can decrease fertilizer use by as much as 50%. "Part of our organic maintenance package _ includes using ' compost tea, a liquid extract - - of high-grade compost. Foliar application replaces fungicide. The high beneficial microbe content excludes disease. We also apply it to soil for plant fertility. We are currently using compost tea on our residential construction and maintenance contracts. " - Jake Cacciato, Superintendent, Jensen Corporation [.andscape Contractors, Cupertino 32