BEsT MANAGEMENT PRACTICEs HANDbooK - Tahoe BMP

To address this TRPA’s Regional Plan restricts the application of fertilizer andencourages phasing out the sale and use of chemical fertilizer containingphosphorus for lawns, with limited exceptions.Soil properties can vary evenwithin a single parcel, creatingdifferent landscape zones thatmay require different typesand/or amounts of fertilizer.Before applying fertilizer, have soils tested for nitrogen and phosphorusthrough the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Universityof Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE), private consultants, or home testkits to determine if a nutrient deficiency exists. If soils lack nutrients, soilamendments may be needed to establish vegetation.Soil amendments consisting of decomposed organic matter (e.g. compost) arethe best way to enrich soils. As soil microorganisms break down organicmaterials over time, they make nutrients available to plants. Additionally,organic matter improves soil structure, helps to retain soil moisture, and assistsin regulating soil temperature.Limit the use of chemicalfertilizers (both fast and slowrelease) for turf management.Too much chemical fertilizercan burn turf and kill beneficialsoil microorganisms. Useorganic soil amendments suchas compost for flower bedsand gardens.In contrast to soil amendments, chemical fertilizers provide nutrients in a formreadily available to plants, which can be easily leached to surface and groundwaters. Additionally, chemical fertilizers are less desirable because they do notimprove soil structure and damage living soil organisms. For these reasons,only use chemical fertilizers for managing established turf when soil testingresults indicate a deficiency in one or more nutrients. Even then, augment onlythe nutrient(s) necessary. For example, if soils tested under the lawn show adeficiency in nitrogen but has plenty of phosphorus, select a fertilizer with ‘0’in the middle of the formula (e.g. 10-0-5). Use organic soil amendments such ascompost for flower beds and gardens.Chemical fertilizers are commercially available in both fast and slow releasetypes, but the conventional form is fast release. Fast release fertilizers providenutrients immediately available for plant uptake, whereas slow releasefertilizers make nutrients available over time.Slow release fertilizers should only be applied in the late spring/early summerso that they are continually available over the course of the growing season.Apply fast release fertilizer early in the growing season as well, whenvegetation is active and can immediately use the nutrients.One or cumulative acres oflawn or turf on a propertyrequires a fertilizermanagement plan.Additionally, surface andgroundwater monitoring maybe required in sensitive areasto determine compliance withnitrogen and phosphorusdischarge standards.After applying fertilizer to turf, water slowly to help incorporate fertilizergranules onto the soil. Only water until soil is moist as excess water willtransport fertilizer away – potentially becoming polluted runoff that enterssurface and ground waters. Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground, or before arainstorm. Do not apply fertilizer in or near water – including sensitive areassuch as SEZs and shorezones – and do not allow fertilizer to be spread overpavement.CHAPTER 5: Soil and Vegetation ManagementTRPA BMP HandbookPage 5-10 2012