ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES
Agriculture & Natural Resources
EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647
|
|
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SERIES Agriculture & Natural Resources |
|
EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849-5647 |
|
Concern about the environment has caused many homeowners to look for alternative ways to care for their landscapes. One of those alternatives that is becoming increasingly popular is the use of organic materials in place of commercial fertilizers. However, homeowners should be as aware of the problems associated with using this material as they are about the benefits.
On the good side, release of the nutrients from organic materials applied in proper quantities is usually slow so little nitrogen is leached from the soil. Composted sewage sludge, poultry manure, cow manure, composted leaves and other vegetation, peat moss, sea weed, and fish emulsion are all organic sources of nutrients.
According to Dave Williams, Extension horticulturist, the problem with using organic materials as sources of nutrients is that the content of available nitrogen and other nutrients is often unknown. "If you purchase packaged manure or composted sewage sludge at a garden supply store, the "total" fertilizer analysis should be on the package. This does not mean that all those nutrients will be available to the plants," he says. "The level of nutrients in unprocessed organic materials, bulk sources or organic material produced at home is anyone's guess. You may not apply enough fertilizer to get the desired result or you may over-fertilize, causing nitrate leaching, salt toxicities or excessive vegetative growth to occur."
Williams says that organic fertilizers are safe if used properly, but over-application can be just as detrimental as over-application of inorganic fertilizers. He suggests stopping by the ________________ County Extension Office and asking to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. Extension personnel will be happy to make copies of any of the articles you would like to take with you.
Radio/TV Release: Homeowners Turning To Organic Fertilizers
If you're into home gardening and landscaping, you might also be considering trying organic fertilizers in place of commercial products. If so, be sure you understand what organic fertilizers are and how to use them. Organic fertilizers are safe if used properly, but over-application can be just as harmful to the environment as over-application of inorganic fertilizers. To get more information about fertilizers or about other chemical-related topics, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. If you'd like to take some of the articles with you, Extension personnel will be glad to make copies. Remember, education is the key to protecting the environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Calibrating Your Home Fertilizer Equipment")
Homeowners planning to apply fertilizer to their lawns need to be aware of the importance of proper application. Misapplication of lawn fertilizers can be harmful to the lawn and to ground and surface water.
One of the most important steps in fertilizer use is to properly calibrate home fertilizing equipment. Even though the manufacturers of spreaders provide recommendations for settings and swath widths, homeowners need to calibrate the spreader for each product to be used as well as for each operation. Whether you're using drop-type or rotary spreaders, the settings indicated on the product label should be used only as the initial setting and they should be verified prior to use.
For more details on how to calibrate spreaders or for information on other chemical-related topics, visit the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. If you see an article in the handbook that you would like to take with you, Extension personnel will be happy to print a copy for you.
Radio/TV Release: Home Fertilizer Equipment Needs Proper Calibration
Homeowners who plan to apply fertilizer this year need to be aware of the safety precautions involved in such an operation. One of the most commonly overlooked steps is to properly calibrate the equipment used. Weather you use a drop-type or a rotary spreader, the settings indicated on the product label should be used only as the initial setting. Verify those settings and recalibrate before each use. For more information on this and other chemical-related topics, visit the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. You'll find some helpful articles, and Extension personnel will be happy to make copies of those articles to take home with you. Do your part to keep our environment safe. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Insect Specimens For Identification And Analysis")
Insect control is a never-ending problem for most farmers, and one of the most difficult parts of insect control is identification.
Without proper insect identification, it is impossible to know what control measure to use, or for that matter, whether any controls are needed at all. Most of us, though, don't have the training required for proper insect identification. So, where can we go for help?
Stop by the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains an article explaining the process to follow in getting insects identified as well as articles on a variety of other agricultural-related topics. Extension personnel will go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to study more closely.
Investing a little time now can save you a lot of time and money later.
Radio/TV Release: Extension Offers Insect Identification Service
Farmers, if you have insect problems in your fields, be sure you handle the problem correctly. The first step is to correctly identify the pest.
To get pests identified, they must be correctly captured and stored and then taken to the ________________ County Extension Office. To get complete information on the
process, ask the county agent to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and many other chemical-related topics. The agent will be happy to go over the material with you, and copies of articles will be made available for you to take home.
Hit and miss is no way to control an insect problem. Get professional help from the folks at the ________________ County Extension Office. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "How To Use Homeowner Pesticides Properly")
When most of us think of pesticides and pesticide problems, we think of large agricultural operations or of the pesticide industry. However, home-used pesticide misuse is also responsible for a large amount of groundwater pollution.
Lack of information concerning pesticides and their proper use may be the biggest problem. Far too many homeowners don't know what the pest is they're trying to control, so they often fail to purchase the correct controlling agent. But such practices don't have to continue.
Stop by the _____________________ County Extension office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and many other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the infonnation with you, and they'll provide copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility. Homeowners need to do their part, too.
Radio/TV Release: Howeowners Must Use Pesticides Safely
If you're like most homeowners, you rarely think about pesticides and pesticide problems. When you do, you tend to think of them as problems of farmers and manufacturers. But homeuse pesticide problems are probably more common than you think.
Lack of knowledge is the big problem. If you don't know precisely what the pest is that you're trying to control, then you can't purchase the correct controlling agent.
However, professional help is as near as the County Extension office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and many other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be glad to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of articles you'd like to take with you.
This year, protect your garden and the environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Calibrating A Manual Sprayer")
Homeowners who have decided to purchase pesticide application equipment may have run into a few problems. The equipment comes in all shapes and sizes. So what's the secret for making the right choice?
According to Extension Agricultural Engineer Charles Ogburn, all you need to do is select equipment according to needs and use a little common sense. No matter which sprayer you choose, he says, it is important to properly calibrate it to get the desired level of pest control without harming your plants.
Among the more common sprayer types are: proportioner on hose-end; compressed air; small power sprayers; and hand dusters.
To get more information on these sprayers or to get information on any chemical-related topic, contact the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. If you find an article that addresses your problem, Extension personnel will be happy to make a copy of the article that you can take home with you.
Radio/TV Release: No Secrets To Choosing Proper Pesticide Equipment
Applying pesticides can be a hazardous proposition whether you are spraying an entire field or just a small lawn in town. The two most important points to remember are to select the right equipment and to properly calibrate it each and every time it is used. Experts at the ________________ County Extension Office say to be careful when applying pesticides. Using the right equipment and a little common sense will protect you, your family and the environment. If you need more information on pesticide application equipment or on any chemical-related topic, ask the people at the Extension office to see the handbook Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality. They'll be glad to make copies of any of the articles for you to take home. Remember, education is the key to a healthy environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Hazardous Material Storage In The Home")
Most homeowners are unaware that they are storing hazardous materials. Because they are unaware of the problem, the hazardous materials are usually improperly stored.
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, there is no way to make the storing of such materials in the home completely safe, but risks can be minimized.
To find out how to protect your home and family, stop by the County
Extension office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and many other topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of articles that you can keep.
When it comes to chemicals, don't guess. Be sure you are using and storing them correctly. The price for carelessness is much too high.
Radio/TV Release: Are There Hazardous Materials In Your Home?
Homeowners, are you aware that your home may be a storage area for hazardous materials? It's true. Many of the products we use in our home everyday contain hazardous materials that require proper use and storage.
If you'd like to find out more about these materials and how to handle them safely, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you and they'll make copies of articles you'd like to take with you.
Protect yourself and your family. Get the facts today. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Disposal Of Household Chemical Wastes")
When we think of hazardous waste, few of us think of products we have in our own homes. However, Extension Home Environment Specialist Genta Speakman says products found in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, or garden shed may be hazardous. Because of their chemical nature, these products can poison, corrode, explode or burst into flame if not handled properly. When you discard them, these products become household chemical wastes.
Motor oil, paints, pesticides, antifreeze, wood preservatives, batteries, and some household cleaners contain solvents, petroleum products, heavy metals or other harmful chemicals. Speakman says that when you place these products in the trash or pour them down drains, the chemicals can injure others or contaminate drinking water sources.
While there are ways to dispose of these products, Speakman says using them up is the best idea. If you can't use them, offer them to neighbors or organizations. Then, in the future, try buying alternatives to these products so that you won't have to face the disposal problem again.
If you can't use up the products, there are safe, legal ways to dispose of them. To get a complete list, visit the ________________ County Extension Office. Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the handbook with you and to make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
Radio/TV Release: Hazardous Waste In Our Homes
We've all heard of chemical waste, but how many of us have actually seen it? The answer is, nearly everyone. It's in your kitchen, bathroom, garage and garden shed. Many of the products you see there contain chemicals that make them potential hazards.
When you discard them, they become chemical wastes. What's the best way to get rid of them? Use them up. If you can't, contact the ________________ County Extension Office.
Ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains articles on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the handbook with you and to make copies of any articles you'd like to take with you. Do your part to protect yourself, your family and Alabama's environment. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Landscape Plant Selection For Reduced Fertilizer And Pesticide Use")
Many of the problems associated with fertilizers and pesticides used in landscaping can be traced to plant selection, installation and establishment. Careful planning in these areas can eliminate many problems.
According to Extension Horticulturist Dave Williams, improperly located plants, incorrectly planted plants, or neglect of plants makes them susceptible to environmental stress. As a result, excessive use of fertilizers or pesticides may be required.
So, what steps can homeowners take to prevent these problems? Stop by the
________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and other chemical-related topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the information with you and they'll make copies of articles you'd like to take with you.
Do your part to protect the environment. Get the proper information and use it.
Radio/TV Release: Make Your Landscape Environmentally Sound
If you're planning on doing some landscaping, be sure you have a good plan before you begin. Plant selection, installation and establishment are important not only for the looks of the landscape, but for the environment as well.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System tells us that not following a well-thought out plan can lead to over-fertilizing and over-use of pesticides. The result could be contaminated groundwater.
To avoid these problems, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains solutions to this and many other chemical-related problems. Extension personnel will be glad to help and they'll provide copies of any articles you might want to take with you.
This time, make your landscape beautiful AND safe. Back to Contents
(News Release For: "Correct Installation And Establishment Of Ornamental Plants")
Planning on putting in a few ornamental landscape plants? If you are, remember that you can avoid pest problems by following correct planting procedures.
Extension Horticulturist Dave Williams tells us that correct planting procedures will reduce environmental stress. This means the plants will be less susceptible to pests, as well. Correct planting means more than just digging a hole and dropping in the plant, but Williams says the results make the effort worthwhile.
To find out more about correct planting procedures for ornamentals, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It contains information on this and many other topics. Extension personnel will be happy to go over the material with you, and they'll make copies of any articles you'd like to take home.
Take a little extra time to save your plantings and to help save our environment.
Radio/TV Release: Poor Planting Procedures Endanger Ornamentals
Home gardeners planning on putting in a few ornamentals this year can help the environment while improving the looks of their landscape.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System tells us that improper planting of ornamentals can cause environmental stress which makes plants more susceptible to pests. To avoid these problems, stop by the ________________ County Extension Office and ask to see the Agricultural Chemical Management for Environmental Quality handbook. It can provide help in this area and many others. Extension personnel will go over the material with you and will provide copies of any articles you'd like to take with you.
Here's a chance to help yourself while you help the environment. Back to Contents
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
Community Resource Development homepage | CRD Publications