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Top dressing with compost is a more sustainable and affordable alternative

Top dressing with compost is meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Top dressing with compost is a responsible process that will not deplete our resources or harm natural cycles.

What is compost? It is the end result of controlled aerobic decomposition of organic matter.

Compost comes from municipal solid waste as in household refuse; leaves, twigs and grass clippings as in yard waste; sewage sludge also known as biosolids; animal manure and food residuals.

Composting is a biological process, where organic wastes are stabilized and converted into a product to be used as a soil conditioner and organic fertilizer.
Composting process takes soil micro and macro organisms together with organic residues, and by adding oxygen and water we get water, carbon dioxide, heat and the compost byproduct.

There are significant benefits in the use of compost top dressing:

1. soil structure is improved, the creation and improvement macro and micro aggregates
2. improved aeration and plant root development
3. nutrient availability, especially nitrogen is available in slow release form
4. reduced erosion and improved soil conservation
5. prevention and suppression of diseases
6. organic matter recycling
7. less landfill waste
8. carbon capture and sequestration
9. the reduction in fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
10. decreased nitrogen leaching to surface water ; ultimately reducing nitrogen and phosphorus to groundwater and receiving bodies of water

Compost suppresses the following diseases in turf grasses:

1. Fusarium Patch
2. Damping-off
3. Brown Patch
4. Large Patch
5. Dollar Spot
6. Different types of molds and leaf spot

In our Florida sandy soils compost top dressing would increase water and nutrient retention, make nutrients available and increase microbial activity.

When top dressing with compost it is very important to ensure that you using the right equipment. Warm season turfgrass species that have a stolen and a rhizome (such as Zoysiagrass, Seashore Paspalum and Bermudagrass) should be verticut at least one time per year. Verticutting in the Spring and Fall is ideal using a verticutter, also called a vertical mower. A verticutter has blades that cut down into the thatch without damaging the healthy grass. This breaks up that dead layer and brings it to the surface so it can easily be collected and removed. Verticutting is a seamless process when performed by professionals. It is not necessary to clean up any dead thatch that has accumulated after verticutting. A thin layer (approximately a 0.25” to 0.125”) is then laid down at least one time per year. The microbes in the compost top dressing will metabolize the dead thatch.

How to select the compost to use in turfgrass top dressing?

choose a compost that has been tested by some university, company or a colleague
a physical and chemical analysis of the compost is essential
The compost color should be a brown to black. It should ever odor like earth and should have a particle size 1/4” to 3/8”.

Organic matter content should be greater than 30% and the carbon/nitrogen ratio should be below or equal to 30:1. Nitrogen content should be 0.5 to 3% and phosphorus should be greater than 0.2%. pH should be 6.0 to 7.0.

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Irrigation and Fertilization Maintenance Program

Irrigation And Fertilization Maintenance Program

One of the most critical elements to maintaining your landscape involves a properly functioning irrigation system and a fertilization program that meets the nutrient requirements of your landscape plants.

Fertilization and Irrigation needs for Florida lawns and landscapes please see link

How lawns and landscapes are fertilized and irrigated can have a direct impact on the natural environment.

The basic maintenance of Empire Zoysia lawns will be depended upon soil fertility, rainfall, full Sun and match precipitation irrigation.

Most people do not fertilize their own lawns. They either depend upon mother nature or a professional fertilization company to do the work. Well-maintained lawns are fertilized with the right amount and the right kind of fertilizer for that particular grass species. The fertilization schedule is based on the growing season. In order for the fertilization program to work, the right amount of moisture must be available in the turf root zone.

Under feeding or overfeeding leads to the buildup of thatch and higher stress levels on the turf species.

Water schedule stabilize growing seasons.

Healthy lawns smother weeds. Let’s use of herbicides.

Drip/micro irrigation maintenance aims at preserving emission uniformity and efficiency. This can be achieved by operating the system according to design pressures and flow rates while making regular field inspections, performing necessary preventative measures in a timely manner, and promptly remedying malfunctions.

Evaluate water quality! A laboratory analysis of the source (S) of water is critical.

Adjusting the filtration system is vital to the performance of the irrigation system

Bicarbonate is common in surface and groundwater. Edit pH of 7.5 or higher and bicarbonate concentrations of 2 mEq per liter, the bicarbonate is as susceptible to precipitation as calcium carbonate (lime).

The concentration and composition of dissolved salts in and irrigation water supply can affects soil properties, ultimately affecting growth habit and health of plants.

Development of Irrigation and Fertilization Programs – please see link

MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FLORIDA-FRIENDLY FERTILIZER USE ON URBAN LANDSCAPES – please see link

Nutrient and irrigation management to reduce nonpoint source pollution of surface and ground waters in Florida urban landscapes

Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Irrigation – please see link

Irrigating with Reclaimed Water

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Zoysia turf in Sarasota and Manatee counties

Zoysia turf in Sarasota

Zoysia turf species were introduced into the United States from Asia and provide attractive turf throughout much of the United States. In recent years, dramatic improvements in Zoysia have been made by turf grass breeders. These improvements include insect resistance, accelerated establishment, and overall performance. Zoysia has been bred to adapt to a variety of soil types and have good tolerance to shade, salt, and traffic. They provide an extremely dense sod that resist weed invasion, that certain pest can be problematic. Zoysia maintenance is very different from other Florida lawn grasses. When improper maintenance practices are followed, undesirable results are likely to occur.

Empire Zoysia is one of the most popular Zoysia turf species in our area. It has a very dense growth habit and maintains a nice green color throughout the year. Empire has performed well in sandy and clay soil types with aggressive growth from it stolons and rhizomes.

Proper fertilization is very important for sustaining a healthy lawn. Empire Zoysia responds better to a “spoon-feeding” fertilizer regimen (smaller quantities applied more frequently) rather than supplying large quantities infrequently. Avoid apply nitrogen fertilizer simply to promote green color. Instead, monitor growth and apply only when the growth rate has dramatically declined. Potassium nutrition also is important and should be applied at rates equal to nitrogen. During excessively rainy periods, potassium may need to be applied more frequently due to its leaching ability.