Organics First Program - Sunset Valley, Texas8963FD9D-CEFE... · Residential Organics First Program. In 1998 the City adopted an Organics First Program to implement practices that

Chapter 1

Residential Organics First Program In 1998 the City adopted an Organics First Program to implement practices that minimize negative impacts on the ecosystem. This program emphasizes good horticultural practices to maintain plant health. By focusing on plant and soil health the use of chemicals can be greatly reduced. This helps to improve water quality by preventing use of harmful chemicals. Individual homeowners can also take advantage of this program by applying simple principles to lawn care. The following is modified for homeowners from the City of Sunset Valley’s Organic First Program. Part 1. Landscaping Zone Definitions A. Turf Areas

• Grassy lawn areas that are maintained and irrigated regularly. Grasses that fall into this category include St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, and others.

B. Natural Lawn Areas • Includes areas that are not mown regularly such as Buffalograss

lawns, native grasses, and wildflower areas. C. Natural Vegetative Buffers

• Areas managed to maintain a natural, native habitat with a large portion of woody vegetation. Receiving minimal if any maintenance.

D. Vegetative Filter (Buffer) Strip • Filter strips are land areas of either planted or indigenous

vegetation, situated between a potential, pollutant-source area and a waterway that receives runoff.

E. Landscape Beds • Planting areas outside of lawn areas that are maintained and

irrigated such as annual color beds. F. Tree Health Care

• This covers all activities that are done that affects the health of trees.

Part 2. Turf Area Maintenance

1. Minimum height of turf grass areas is normally considered to be 2.5 to 3 inches depending on the species of grass. Leave clippings on the ground to return nutrients to the soil and retain water.

2. If necessary fertilize with organic fertilizer from Organics List (Table 1). Provide soil amendments as needed. Table 4 contains information on how to use organic products for specific needs.

3. Perform annual soil analysis to determine health of soil. Directions for how to collect soil samples and contacts for testing labs is located on page 6.

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4. Keep blades on lawnmower sharp to reduce the spread of grass diseases and prevent water loss. A list of local businesses that sharpen lawnmower blades is located on page 6 (Table 2).

5. Control weeds by mechanical or hand extraction. Do not apply chemical weed killers or pre-emergents. Use of an Organic herbicide from the Organics List (Table 1) can be used.

6. Water only as needed to sustain deep root systems without producing runoff. Automatic timers are an efficient method to regulate the amount and timing of watering.

7. Water between sundown and 6:00 a.m. unless there are freezing conditions. 8. During the winter water once every two weeks to prevent dieback and

desiccation. 9. Inspect irrigation system monthly to assure proper operation. Make sure no

water is sprayed on paved areas. Contact Public Works for an annual irrigation audit.

10. Comply with all City water rationing restrictions. Visit the city website (www.sunsetvalley.org) or call the city hotline at 892-1954 for current information.

11. Turn irrigation off during freezing weather. 12. Install rain sensors to turn off system during rain events.

Part 3. Natural Lawn Areas

1. Mow these areas at least once per year in the late summer or fall. Keep a buffer around your house for fire safety. Leave clippings on the ground to return nutrients to the soil and retain water.

2. In wildflower areas wait for seed heads to dry before mowing. This is an inexpensive and natural way to reseed.

3. Reseed areas yearly to keep growth thick and diversified. A list of seeds can be found in Table 3 for suggested plantings located on page 7.

4. Water plants until they are established. Trees may require up to two years of supplemental water while other types of plants will require less.

5. Vegetative Filter (Buffer) Strip areas must be watered to maintain a healthy status and ensure erosion control.

Part 4. Vegetative Buffers

1. Invasive, non-native species should be removed. These invasives include Chinaberry, Chinese Tallow, Ligustrum, Nandina, Bermuda Grass, and Johnson grass. Visit http://texasinvasives.org/ to learn more about these species. These items can be removed by hand or with other approved techniques. Assistance with removal methods is available from the Environmental Services Division of Public Works.

2. If these areas are damaged, replant with native trees and shrubs. Assistance with plant selection is available from the Environmental Services Division of Public Works.

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http://texasinvasives.org/

3. Water plants until they are established. Trees may require up to two years of supplemental water while other types of plants will require less.

4. Vegetative Filter (Buffer) Strip must be watered to maintain health and ensure erosion control.

Part 5. Landscaping Beds 1. Mulch should be applied to planting beds to improve soil health and

maintain moisture. Mulch is available for free from the City. Contact Public Works at 891-9103.

2. Perform annual soil analysis to determine health of soil. 3. Shrub, perennial and groundcover beds should be fertilized in the spring and

fall, if necessary. An organic fertilizer should be used as directed. 4. Prune shrubs as necessary to maintain their natural shape. Prune flowering

shrubs opposite of their blooming seasons (spring bloom-fall prune, fall bloom-spring prune).

5. Remove spent blooms (deadhead) on perennials throughout the year. Cut perennials back to 6 inches in the winter after a hard freeze. Cover with 3 inches of mulch.

6. Prune back groundcover in early spring to remove dead areas. After that prune only to maintain area.

7. Maintain weeds by hand pulling. Alternatively, see the Organics Product List (Table 1) for other options.

8. Thoroughly till seasonal color beds before planting. Plant annuals in April and October depending on their bloom season. Maintain 2 inches of mulch in beds year round. Water only as needed to sustain deep root systems without producing runoff. Automatic timers are an efficient method to regulate the amount and timing of watering.

9. Water between sundown to 6:00 a.m. unless there are freezing conditions. 10. During the winter water once every two weeks to prevent dieback and

desiccation. 11. Inspect irrigation system monthly to assure proper operation. Make sure no

water is sprayed on paved areas. Contact Public Works for an annual irrigation audit.

12. Meet all City water rationing restrictions. 13. Turn irrigation off during freezing weather. 14. Install rain sensors to turn off system during rain events.

Part 6. Tree Health Care

1. Trees require different maintenance regimes than other landscaped areas. Visit http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/phc.aspx for information on proper tree care. Contact the City Arborist with any concerns at 891-9103.

2. Annually prune all trees, 10 inch diameter and smaller, during the dormant period, usually in winter. Remove dead, broken limbs and sucker growth. Prune to maintain natural shape and good growth habit.

3. Oak Wilt Control. Only prune oak trees during the cold of winter or the hottest part of summer. Insect/fungi activity is low during this time. Clean all cutting tools before pruning and between pruning different trees to

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reduce the spread of disease. Cover all wounds with pruning paint or latex-based paint. Visit http://www.texasoakwilt.org/ for more information. Notify the City Arborist at Public Works at 891-9103 for more information or if you have any concerns regarding the health of your trees.

4. Remove vines, weeds, and parasitic plant material such as mistletoe from trees, if necessary.

5. Keep trees well mulched but keep mulch off the trunk. Mulch against the trunk can encourage fungal growth and other tree diseases.

6. Stake trees only if necessary. Staking encourages bad growth form. Remove stakes after 1 year.

7. Water trees infrequently but for longer periods of time, when needed. Water newly planted trees once a week for the first month. Regular lawn irrigation does not provide adequate water for trees. Install bubblers or use soaker hoses to water trees.

Part 7. Fire Ant Control

1. Survey and identify ant type. Native ant populations should be left alone as they are an important part of our ecosystem. A fire ant identification key is located on page 11.

2. Individual mounds can be treated with boiling water or vinegar. 3. For more extensive infestations use the Texas Two Step Method with an

approved fire ant control such as Green Light with Conserve. - Broadcast fire ant bait around mounds. - Treat individual mounds with a product such as Orange Guard Fire

Ant Killer or Citrex Fire Ant Killer. 4. Have a 24 hour window without rain before treating mounds. 5. Contact the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works

Department for more information at 891-9103.

Part 8. Exceptions 1. In certain cases, “least toxic” herbicides may be used in landscaping beds.

Contact the Environmental Services Division of Public Works for more information.

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Table 1. Organic Product List. List compiled from Howard Garrett’s Texas Gardening the Natural Way.

Fertilizers and Soil Amendments Alfalfa Meal Alfalfa Tea Bat Guano Bioform Blood Meal Bone Meal Chicken Litter Coffee Frounds Compost Corn Gluten Meal Cornmeal Cornmeal Juice Cottonseed Meal Diatomaceous Earth Dillo Dirt Earthworm Castings Epsom Salts Fireplace Ashes Fish Emulsion Fish Meal Granite Sand Gypsum Humate Kelp Meal

Lava Sand Lime Manure Molasses Seaweed Soft Rock Phosphate Sulfur Sul-Po-Mag Texas Greensand Zeolite Commercial Product Lines Alliance Cornmeal Soil Amendment Bluebonnet Farms Bradfield Erath Earth Garden-Vill Soil Food Garrett Juice GreenSense Hu-more Medina SuperThrive

Pest Control Product Antidessicants Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Dormant Oil Baking Soda Garlic Pepper Tea Bordeaux Mix Potassium Bicarbonate Fungicide Citrus Oil Soap Compost Tea Sulfur Copper Tanglefoot Corn Gluten Meal Triple Action 20 Cornmeal Vinegar

Procedure for Collecting Soil Samples 1) Collect separate samples for different areas of your yard. For example collect one

sample for landscaping beds and a separate sample for your lawn. 2) Take composite samples from across your lawn. Choose 10-15 locations across your

lawn to get a good mixture of soil. 3) Using a spade or soil auger dig a V-shaped hole 3-6 inches deep. Using the tip of the

spade take a 1” slice down the edge of the hole. 4) Place the soil in a plastic bucket or non metallic box. All samples are placed in the

same container. 5) Thoroughly mix the samples and remove 1 pint to send for sampling. 6) Let soil air dry before sending to lab for testing. 7) Do not send soil in metal containers. 8) Send sample for testing. Listed below are two labs that conduct soil tests for small

fees. Contact Information for Soil Testing Stephen F. Austin University http://soils.sfasu.edu/ Texas A&M University http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

Table 2. Local Contacts for Sharpening Mower Blades

Name Address Phone McCoy’s Lawn Equipment, Inc.

4140 S. Congress Austin, TX 78745

(512) 442-2337

Travis Tractor & Lawn Equipment, Inc.

5700 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78745

(512) 443-3373

Hill Country Outdoor Power

12014 HWY. 290 W. Austin, TX 78737

(512)288-7282

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Table 3. Selected seed species for diversifying natural lawn areas. Includes when to sow and height of plants.

Wet Areas Grasses

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/

IntroducedUsual HeightCommon Name

Andropogon glomeratus Bushy Bluestem C N 3' - 6' Erianthus alopecuroides Silver Plumegrass W N 9' - 10' Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Lindheimer Muhly Fall N 2' - 5' Muhlenbergia capillaris Gulf Muhly C N 11/2' Panicum virgatum Switchgrass W N 5' - 8' Sorghastrum avenaceum Indian Grass W N 3' - 5' Trypsacum dactyloides Eastern Grammagrass Apr. - Nov. N 5' - 8'

Moderate Areas

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/


Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem W N 5' - 6' Andropogon hallii Sand Bluestem W N 2' Andropogon ternarius Splitbeard Bluestem C N 11/2' Andropogon virginicus Broomsedge Bluestem Fall N 4' - 5' Bothriochloa saccharoides Silver Bluestem May - Nov. N 3' - 4' Bouteloua eriopoda Black Grama W N 18"

Bouteloua gracilus Blue Grama June - Nov. N 2' - 21/2'

Moderate Areas Elymus candensis Canada Wildrye C N 3' - 4' Eragrostis curvula Weeping Lovegrass W N 2' - 4' Eragrostis hisuta Bigtop Lovegrass W N 2' - 3' Eragrostis trichodes Sand Lovegrass W N 2' - 4' Festuca arundinaceae Tall Fescue C N 6" - 8" Festuca ovina Sheep Fescue C N 6" - 8" Leptochloa dubia Green Sprangletop May - Nov. N 2' Lolium spp. Annual Ryegrass C I 6"

Muhlenbergia capillaris Gulf Muhly Fall N 3' - 31/2'

Panicum virgatum Switch Grass W N 5' - 8' Sporobolus asper Tall Dropseed W N 3' - 4'

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Dry Areas

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/


Bouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama W N 1' - 3'

Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama June - Nov. N 2' - 21/2'

Bouteloua pectinata Tall Grama July - Nov. N 2' - 3'

Buchloe dactyloides Buffalograss W N 3" - 12"

Chasmanthium latifolium Inland Sea Oats W N 2' - 4'

Eragrostis spectabilis Purple Lovegrass W N 18" - 24"

Hilaria belanderi Curly Mesquite W N 4" - 6" Leptochloa dubia Green Spangletop May - Nov. N 2' - 4' Lolium spp. Annual Ryegrass C I 6"

Muhlenbergia arenacea Ear Muhly W N 4" - 14"

muhlenbergia reverchonii Seep Muhly Sum. - Fall N 2' Muhlenbergia rigida Purple Muhly C N 30" Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem Aug. - Dec. N 1' - 4' Setaria scheelei Southwest Bristlegrass W N 2' - 3' Sporobolus vaginaeflorus Poverty Dropseed Fall N 2' - 3

Stipa tenuissima Mexican Feathergrass C N 21/2' -

3'

Tridens muticus Slim Tridens July - Nov. N 12" - 18"

Forbs and Perennials Wet Areas

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/


Achillea millefolium Yarrow June - Aug. N 6" - 12"

Carex perdentata Sedge Spring N 6" - 12"

Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Spr. - Sum. N 2' Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Fall N 6" - 6' Penstemon tenuis Gulf Coast Penstemon Fall N 11/2' Physostegia spp. Spring Obedient Plant Fall N 2' - 6' Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 2'

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Wet Areas Solidago spp Goldenrod C N 3' - 7'

Tradescantia spp. Spiderwort Spring N 6" - 18"

Viguiera dentata Golden Eye Spring N 3' - 6' Moderate Areas

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/


Achillea millefolium Yarrow June - Aug. N 6" - 12"

Castilleja purpurea Inian Paintbrush May - June N 6" - 12"

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Oxeye Daisy Spring N 2' - 4'

Coreopsis lanceolata Coreopsis Spring N 11/2' -

2' Helianthus maximiliana Maximillian Sunflower Oct. - Nov. N 4' - 6' Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Spr. - Sum. N 2' Lupinus texensis Texas Bluebonnet Fall N 1' Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover C I 18" Monarda citriodora Horsemint Spring N 1 - 11/2' Oenothera speciosa Pink Evening Primrose Spring N 1'

Penstemon cobera Wild Foxglove Spring N 1' - 11/2'

Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 2' Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage Spring N 2' - 3' Trifolium Incarnatum Crimson Clover C I 4" - 6"

Verbena bipinnatifida Prarie Verbena June - Oct. N 6" - 12"

Vicia ludoviciana Deer Pea Vetch April I 1' - 2' Vicia villosa Hairy Vetch C I 1' - 2'

Dry Areas

Scientific Name

Sowing Season-

Warm/CoolNative/


Amblyolepsis setigera Huisache Daisy W N 1' Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed Spr. - Sum. N 11/2' 2' Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket Fall N 1' Ipomopsis rubra Standing Cypress Spr. - Fall N 2' - 4' Liatris pycnostachya Gayfeather Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 3'

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Dry Areas

Melampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy Spring Spring N 6" - 12"

Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Muhly N 3'

Oenothera missourensis Yellow Evening Primrose Spring N 1'

Oenothera speciosa Pink Evening Primrose Spring N 1' Phyla incisa Frogfruit Spring N 3" - 4"

Ratibida columnaris Mexican Hat Fall N 11/2' -

3'

Salvia engelmanii Engelman Sage Spring N 1' -

11/2' Salvia farinacea Mealy Blue Sage Spring N 2' - 3' Salvia romeriana Cedar Sage Spring N 3" - 6" Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-eyed Grass Spring N 6" 18" Solidago spp Goldenrod Fall N 3' - 7' Teucrium laciniatum Dwarf Germander Spring N 3" - 6"

Verbena tenuisecta Moss Verbena Spring N 6" - 10"

Viguiera dentata Golden Eye Oct. - Dec. N 3' - 6'

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Texas Fire Ant Identification: An Illustrated Key Jerry L. Cook, Stephen F. Austin University, Sean T. O’Keefe, , and S. Bradleigh Vinson, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Texas has more than 260 species of ants, only a few of which are household or garden pests (see FAPFS010 for identification of non-fire ant pest ants). Many native ants, including native fire ant species and some harmless introduced ant species, are potential or known competitors of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Fire ant mounds or nests differ from many native/competitor ant species because they have no central openings. Worker fire ants leave the colony using underground tunnels that open to the surface away from the mound. There are six known species of fire ants (Solenopsis species of the geminata group) in the United States, five of which are found in Texas. Of these, four are native species and the fifth is the accidentally introduced red imported fire ant. Another imported species, the black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri) does not live in Texas. Although the four native species are called fire ants, they are much less aggressive and numerous than the imported species. The first question is whether you have fire ants. If the ants are aggressive, at least 3 mm long, and rapidly run up any object placed into their nest, they are probably fire ants. If they try to bite and sting the object, then it is a good bet they are fire ants. To confirm, look at the region between the epinotum and gaster (see figure below), and if two nodes (petiole and postpetiole) are present and the antennal club is two-segmented, then they are fire ants. Identifying the specific species of fire ant is easier if you have access to a microscope and a good light source because many of the features used to identify fire ants to species are small and hard to see. To use this identification key, examine at least six to ten major workers (the larger, wingless worker ants in a colony) because the characters used for identification might not be fully developed in all individuals of the colony; they are easiest to see on the major workers. Examining only one worker may lead to an incorrect identification. To use the identification key, begin at the top and compare the options in the first pair of statements and illustrations to the specimen(s) you have. Choose the figure and statement that matches the specimen(s) you have and then proceed down the key until the ant is properly identified. A technical identification key to all species of fire ants in North and South America was published by J.C. Trager in 1991 (Journal of the New York Entomological Society 99 (2): 141198). A very useful older work that includes numerous scanning electron pictures was published by A. Hung, M.R. Barlin, and S.B. Vinson in 1977 (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1185). An updated, more detailed identification guide is being prepared by Jerry Cook, who is also studying specimens possibly representing a new species of native fire ant found around Corpus Christi, Texas. This potential new species would be identified as a tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) in the key below. Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren): Only the red imported fire ant has a median clypeal tooth and a striated mesepimeron (see figures); although these may be difficult to see at first. Other characters that might help in the identification include: 1) the antennal scape nearly reaches the vertex, 2) the post-petiole is constricted at back half, and 3) the petiolar process is small or absent. The red imported fire ant is widespread in the eastern two-thirds of the state and has also been found around El Paso.

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http://fireant.tamu.edu/materials/factssheets/fapfs010.2002rev.pdf

Tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata [Fabricius]): The most distinguishing characteristic of this species is the relatively larger, parallel-sided head with a deep, median, lengthwise groove down the middle of the vertex. Other features that might help in the identification include: 1) smaller or absent petiolar process (also not found in the red imported fire ant) and 2) this antennal scape goes only about halfway to vertex. Tropical fire ants were once widespread in the eastern half of the state and central Hill Country, but are being quickly replaced by red imported fire ants.

Southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni McCook): Of all the native fire ants, the southern fire ant looks the most like the red imported fire ant. The southern fire ant can be identified by its brown to black color, well-developed petiolar process, and no median clypeal tooth. The southern fire ant is widespread throughout the eastern, southern, and southwestern parts Texas.

Desert fire ants (Solenopsis aurea Wheeler and Solenopsis amblychila Wheeler): Both of these species are yellowish-red to reddish-yellow (whereas all other fire ants are light to dark brown) and have a well-developed petiolar process. Both species are found in desert areas in western Texas.

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For more information regarding fire ant management, see Extension publications B-6043, Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas; B-6076, Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Agriculture; B-6099, Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control; or L-5070 The Texas Two-Step Method Do-It-Yourself Fire Ant Control for Homes and Neighborhoods. Also visit our web site at http://fireant.tamu.edu.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas Cooperative Extension or the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is implied. Educational programs conducted by Texas Cooperative Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic

level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Table 4. Organic Product List with uses and directions. Adapted from Howard Garrett’s Texas Gardening the Natural Way.

Prod t Na It's Use Directions for Use What It Treats Where To Purchase uc me

Fertilizers and Soil Amendments

Alfalfnefits the plant and soil organism well; a plant growth regulator Apply 10-20 lbs. per 1,000 square ft.

Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Beas a Meal

Alfalfnefits the plant and soil organism well; a plant growth regulator

Apply generously to the root area or use as a foliar spray after straining


Beas a Tea

Bat G

cellent suplem. fertilizer for most nts; not contam. by pestic. or

em. Apply 1x or 2x during grow. seas.; has 10% nitrogen, do not overuse

Explachuano

Treats fungicides Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Biouses vary according to the mixture; is an overall excellent organic fert. Apply *40 lbs. per 2,000 square ft.


Its butform

Blocellent source of quickly available anic nitrogen and phosphorous.

Good to use as mix w/ cottonseed meal; use sparingly

Exorgod Meal , strong odor


Bost natural source of phosphorus, ntains calcium and trace minerals.

Apply w/ bulbs, tomatoes, and other vegetables


Becone Meal

Ch r od natural fertilizer high in nitrogen Best compost before use to remove unwanted items; use sparingly

Natural Gardener & Gardenville** icken Litte Go

Co nds cellent low-pH additive

Best to compost w/ other mat.; if applied dir., *20-80 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft

Natural Gardener & Gardenville** ffee Grou Ex

Coe best fertilizer and the key to any anic program

Best when made w/ several ingredients; see appendix


Thorgmpost

Co Meal an all-natural plant product, rich in ogen; good nat. weed fertilizer

Broadcast prior to weed germination, *15-20 lbs./1,000sq. ft.; CautionIs

nitrrn Gluten : Don't

apply when you plant seeds Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Corns a good mild fertilizer and disease hter Apply *10-20 lbs. per 1,000 square ft.

Fungal disease control; helps prevent or cure brown patch , etc.


It ifigmeal

Corn ice tural Fungicide spray

A cup of horde. Corn. per gal. of water, soak an hr., and spray on plant foliage

Fungal disease on plant foliage

Natural Gardener & Gardenville** meal Ju Na

Cotto Meal cellent organic source of nitrogen an acid pH; provides nit. over time

Note: Acidifies the soil (apply 9 lbs of lime to per 100 lbs of cottonseed meal).


Exw/ nseed

Diato s Ear

animal food suppl. and pest ntrol prod.; prov. silica, iron and er elem. Apply *10-50 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. Pests

Natural Gardener & Gardenville** th

Ancoothmaceou

* Mo dcast set fully open, will dispense the average fertilizers at approximately 10 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. per pass st broa spreaders,** So f the prod pplied by these companies do not have the same name as the one listed here; see the Environmental Specialist for the compatible products' names.

me o ucts su

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Product Name It's Use Directions for Use What It Treats Where To Purchase

Dillo Dirt Excellent soil builder and organic fertilizer

Spr m sew

NaturalGard

ead at own discretion; made froer sludge and wood chips

Gardener & enville**

Earthworm Castings

Effective fert. high in bacteria, calcium, iron, magnes., N-P-K, and other min.

Excellent for house plants; gentle,

Natural Garde & Gardenville** sweet-smelling, and clean

ner

Epsom Salts

A fast-acting source of magnesiuand sulfur; needed in most Texas soils

m Apply in spray or drench at 1 tbls. pergal. or dry at *10-20 lbs./1,000 sq. ft.


Fireplace Ashes Good fertilizer and soil-builder if used

properly Mix w/ var. carbon mater. Such as dryleaves, etc.; use sparingly


Fish Emulsion d;

e Concentrated liquid fertilizer Apply directly to soil or as foliar feebest when mixed w/ liquid kelp Effective insecticid


Fish Meal Very good for flowering plants; use w/

fective insecticide Good natural fertilizer caution, it is very stinky EfNatural Gardener & Gardenville**

Granite Sand on Generally increases plant growth; excellent way to add minerals

Broadcast fertilizer-style at own discretion; good for bed preparati


Gypsum Ex. Source of calcium and sulfur; neut. plant toxins, opens soil, etc.

Apply generally; not needed in high-calcium soils

ant toxins, and removes sodium from soil Pl Natural Gardener &

Gardenville**

Humate An excellent source of carbon, humic acid, and trace minerals

May be applied in liquid form or dry form; apply at own discretion


Kelp Meal Ex. general fertilizer, stimulates root growth and regulates plant growth

Natural Gardener & Apply at *10 lbs per 1,000 square ft. Gardenville**

Lava Sand Excellent, highly paramagnamendment

etic soil- Apply as much as you want for as long as want


Lime A major calcium fertilizer; high-calcium lime is preferred

ply Apply in low-calcium soil; apaccording to soil content


Manure It is high in nitrogen; an exc. material to be used for the manuf. of compost

Fresh manure should not be placed directly in the soil; but great in comp.


Commercial Product Lines Alliance CSoil Amendment

ornmeal ood source of nutrients and organic matter; good bed-prep mater. t. General disease control

ner & Gardenville**

It is a gApply *10-50 lbs. per 100 square f

Natural Garde

Bluebonnet Farms

s and soil t.

s ner &

A line of organic fertilizeramend. incl. corn gluten meal, horCornmeal, and trace mineral product Application depends on the product

Natural GardeGardenville**

Bradfield

Natural alfalfa based fertilizers bw/ animal protein, natural potassiusulfate potash, and molasses

lend m

Apply *20-30 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

* Most broadcast spreaders, set fully open, will dispense the average fertilizers at approximately 10 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. per pass ** Some of the products supplied by these companies do not have the same name as the one listed here; see the Environmental Specialist for the compatible products' names.

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Erath Earth

A line of compost and organic pescontrol products;

t Vovinite is their peat s good

in potting soils and compost mixes Pest control ner &

Gardenville** moss replacement product Used in general use; Voninite i Natural Garde

Garden-Ville Soil Food

,

ner &

Organic fertilizer contains bat guanobrewer's yeast, desert humate, and many other products Apply *20-30 lbs. per 1,000 square ft.


Garrett Juice

Is one of the primary foliar-feeding tool; is a subtly powerful liquid soil fertilizer as well

For foliar feeding use w/ 2-3 oz. per gal., and best if used during cool time ; for soil treat., app. Rate is doubled


GreenSense A line of horticultural products Application depends on the product Pest control Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Hu-more A line of exc. organ. prod. made from

e and alfalfa composted cow manurApply at own discretion, according to soil test results


Medina A line of liquid and dry product, ranfrom soil biostimulants to fertiliz

ge ers Application depends on the product


SuperThrive s

est results A liquid product made from vitaminand hormones

Use three drops per gal. at each watering for b


Pest Control Products

Antidessicants t Dehydration and drying ner &

Are compounds applied to plants to reduce dehydration and prevent drying Application depends on the produc


Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT)

occurring bacterial General insecticide

ner & it is a naturallydisease of insects Applied by spraying on plants


Baking Soda

y oil to Controls powdery mildew and other fungal diseases of plants

Must be mixed w/ horti. Sprabe affective; Caution: if mixed wrong can damage the leaves

it ngal diseases Fu


Bordeaux Mix It is a great fungicide and bactericidalso controls some plant diseases

e; winter; during summer app. Be careful Fungus, bacteria, and Best if applied at the beginning of

of overuse disease Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Citrus Oil Plant spraying dilute 2 oz. of with one gal. of water; full strength on ant hills

Very good general insecticide

Natural Gardener & Gardenville** Very good natural insecticide

Compost Tea It is a mild disease control product; more effec. when mixed w/ manure

Apply at own discretion; amount is dependent on what is in compost Disease control


Copper It is a very good general insecticide-fungicide; it also fights some disease

Applications rates vary; follow sects, fugus, and disease instructions on package In



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Corn Gluten Meal Apply in the fall at 15-20 lbs. per

Winter weeds Natural Gardener &

A good weed prevention product 1,000 square ft. Gardenville**

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Apply 10-50 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. Insects

ner & Gardenville**

It is a very effective natural pest control product

Natural Garde

Dormant Oil t

ason Application varies according to type of

sects A horticulture oil used on woody planduring the dormant se oil used and the type of plant In


Garlic Pepper Tea t Very effective insect/animal repellen

as well as an organic insecticide Application varies, follow directions; Caution: avoid skin and eye contact Insect, and animal repellent


Potassium Bicarbonate Fungicide

Controls powdery mildew and ofungal diseases of plants

ther Must be mixed w/ horti. Spray oil to be affective; Caution: if mixed wrong can damage the leaves

it diseases Fungal


Soap It is a good, safe insecticide Mix 1 ½ tsp. of Dawn liquid detergent per 1 qt of water; spray on leaves Insects


Sulfur It is a general use pesticide Apply 5 lbs. per 1,000 square ft. Insects Natural Gardener & Gardenville**

Tanglefoot It is effective barrier, on trees and shrubs, against crawling insects

and sects

Apply around the trunks of trees shrubs In


Triple Action 20 A very good fungicide and unwanted

door plant odor eliminator , or

hard surface; kills on contact Fungus, bacteria, algae,

d indoor plant odor Natural Gardener &

ardenville** inSpray directly on plant foliage, turfan an G

Vinegar It is good pest deterrent Spray it around the area that you are having difficulties Insects



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Organics First Program - Sunset Valley, Texas8963FD9D-CEFE... · Residential Organics First Program. In 1998 the City adopted an Organics First Program to implement practices that