Flock Shock

As we have all aged, we have seen many of the products that we grew up with disappear. That is owing to our increasing awareness of the toxic effects of those many and widely varied products. The EPA or some other group is always adding to the list.

One of the latest areas of concern, is surrounding fertilizers, pesticides, and other miscellaneous chemicals. The initial regulation in this area appears like it will be directed at commercial facilities with large lawns, lakes, ponds, water retention and recharging pools. It is only a question of time, before this will become regulated. The State will likely issue some guidelines and give notice to everyone that they have 1 year to conform to the new regulations. After that point, they will begin testing and handing out heavy fines, as they look for new sources of revenue.

The issue is the over-application of these chemicals to large lawns and landscapes, that result in heavy chemical load runoff. Whether from irrigation or stormwater runoff, the various chemical concentrations of the surrounding waters, is far to high. These chemicals do not break down or evaporate, they simply leech into the soil and eventually into the water table. Or worse yet, they end up directly in some public waterway.

Old school knowledge regarding fertilization always taught us that if you were applying too much, then you would see a browning or burning effect, so you knew to cut back. However, many manufacturers today have developed formulas that avoid that result. The amount of over-application is simply shed off, without the undesirable effect. But that does not mean that these shed off, or excess chemicals are not harmful or at the very least problematic in other areas.

So it makes sense to begin to cut back a little now. Make sure that the chemicals are applied properly, with ample time to be absorbed as opposed to washed away. You need to consider this whether applied in liquid or solid form.

Take the time to re-calculate your distribution rates, and then try a 90% application, and monitor your results. Then, using that as a benchmark, adjust accordingly. Then you can be sure to be getting the best use of your dollar.

Maybe you could even consider switching to a more organic formula, thereby eliminating, or at least greatly reducing the aftereffects of application. “GREEN” is the way of the future.

From the other side of the coin, a body of water with a continuously high chemical load is always in stress.

Simply put, if we stop contributing to the out of balance equation, and give the body of water the basic elements it needs, then the water will do most of the work for us.