Mary Beth Henry

Small Farms/Pesticide Licensing

Extension Agent I, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

1702 HWY. 17 S, Bartow, FL 33831 T: 863.519.8677 x 102 F: 863.534.0001

mbhenry@ufl.edu http://polk.ifas.ufl.edu/pesticide_safety_testing.shtml http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ No Farmers No Food

See more info on it here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN209

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2015.html

 Hi there, 

I have been asked for a reference regarding the effect of dog urine and feces on St. Augustine.  It seems like there used to be a line or two about it somewhere but I have not been able to find it.  This professional has a customer with a 500- 600 sq ft piece of St. Augustine which is also in shade- professional says it’s 100% shade.  The customer has three dogs which are using this area for their “deposits” and the grass has had to be replaced several times and the professional feels the dog urine and feces are damaging the turf. 

 Do we have a reference to this type of damage anywhere?

 Obviously the heavy shade is not good- but he is looking for info on the urine and feces because he sees small areas that look like they are from animal excrement.

 Thanks for your help!

 Mary Beth Henry 
Extension Agent I Professional Horticulture Services, Pesticide Licensing  
UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County                                                                                             
Need notice of upcoming training and other info?

Sign up for email newsletter at http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/growing_concerns_subscribe.shtml
5339 CR 579, Seffner, FL 33584-3334   
T: 813.744.5519 x 103 F: 813.744.5776 mbhenry@ufl.edu www.prohort.net        

We’re In A Drought: Reduce Your Use –  http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/reduce_your_use/

Mary Beth,

I should get with one of my vet friends and write a fact sheet on this. In the meantime, here is a pretty good article from a vet specialist at TAMU on the issue – probably the best one I have found in searching:

 http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/dog_lawn_problems.html

The problem is basically nitrogen burn and the best remedy is most likely a garden hose when possible! You will see a lot of stuff advertised about altering pH (both dog and soil), but those are really not effective as the author of this article points out. Most of our lawn grasses are fairly susceptible to this if peed on in any quantity.

 Hope this is helpful.

 Laurie E. Trenholm, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Turf Specialist

Environmental Horticulture Dep’t.

University of Florida

PO Box 110675

Gainesville, FL 32611

352-392-1831 (office)

352-538-0788 (cell)

352-392-1413 (fax)

With the new requirement to have those applying fertilizer commercially BMP certified, it is going to take an army to get the job done!

Become a certified trainer by attending this program and teaching modules under supervision.  Please note you must already be BMP certified to become a certified trainer.

I am particularly looking for those able to do the program in Spanish.  

August 13.

See the flyer here:

http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/files/pdf/BMP%20Flyer09Trainthe%20Trainer.pdf .

SB 494 See the actual bill requiring certification here. http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2009/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0494er.pdf

August 12

See the flyer at
http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/files/pdf/BMP%20Flyer09Spanish.pdf.

This is a relatively rare opportunity so take advantage of it if you can!

September 24

October 28

See the flyer attached and at http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/files/pdf/BMP%20Flyer09dates.pdf

Find your date and register here http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/events/index.shtml

See other dates around the state here: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/professionals/bmp_training_schedule.htm

From Esen Momol, UF Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program State Director

Governor Crist signed the SB2080 relating to Water Resources.  A few highlights:

The new bill deletes references to “xeriscape”; requires water management districts to provide model Florida-Friendly Landscaping^TM ordinances to local governments; each district shall use the materials developed by the FDEP, UF/IFAS and Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology/ Florida Friendly Landscaping^TM  Program, including but not limited to Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) Home Owners, FYN Builder & Developers & the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program; the districts shall coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) & UF/IFAS if revisions to the educational materials are needed; a deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforce to prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land; a local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land; local governments shall use the standards and guidelines when developing landscape irrigation and Florida-Friendly Landscaping^TM ordinances.

See the actual bill here

http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2009/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s2080er.pdf

To see info on Florida Friendly concepts see here

http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/FYN_Principles.html

Interested in becoming an ISA certified arborist?

Begins this September, but you must register by mid August

See flyer here http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/files/pdf/Arobrist%20Certification%20Training%20brochure.pdf