Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

• Identify those areas on the golf course most prone to potential losses or potential impacts on water quality. • On highly sloped areas, use slow release N sources and apply a maximum of 0.9 pounds N per 1,000 ft2 per application and avoid application prior to any expected high rainfall. If suitable for the site, use species such as hard or chewings fescue or other species with lower N requirements. • Use species with low N requirements in areas immediately adjacent to water. • On sandy soils in areas with high water tables, use slow release N sources and apply at a maximum rate of 0.9 pounds N per 1,000 ft2. • Apply slow release N fertilizers at the appropriate time of year to maximize release characteristics. For example, an application of slow release N to warm-season turfgrass in fall may not be as effective as the same application applied in early summer because of the prolonged release time in fall. • Do not use fertilizers that contain significant amounts of NO3-N on sites conducive to leaching and runoff, such as sandy sites (sands and loamy sands) with high water tables and highly sloped sites or when turf is not actively growing. • Irrigate turf after it has been fertilized to bring fertilizer into contact with soil and to move soluble N into the soil. Irrigation intensity must be low enough so that water infiltrates soil instead of contributing to runoff. • When feasible, leave clippings. This may reduce annual fertilizer N requirements. • Direct drainage systems from greens, tees, and fairways to areas of lower maintenance, such as non-irrigated roughs. • Appropriate organic matter should be part of the root zone mixture for putting green construction to increase nutrient retention. (See USGA specifications .) • Avoid applying fertilizer to soils that are at, or near, field capacity or following rain events that leave the soils wet. • Do not apply fertilizers within 15 feet of waterways; or within 10 feet if a drop spreader, rotary spreader with deflector, or targeted spray liquid is used. Different types of spreaders are available, and advantages and disadvantages exist for each. In addition, not all fertilizers can be spread with every spreader. For example, a drop spreader can damage the sulfur coating in sulfur-coated urea, essentially leading to an increase of soluble urea. Most importantly, accurately calibrated sprayers or spreaders are essential for proper application of fertilizers. Incorrectly calibrated equipment can easily apply too little or too much fertilizer, resulting in damaged turf, excess cost, and greater potential of nutrient movement off-site. An excellent resource for spreader care and calibration can be found at Penn State’s Department of Plant Science . Spreaders should also be thoroughly cleaned after use due to the high salt content that corrodes metal parts and in keeping with the BMPs for equipment washing. Fertilizer Applications

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