NC Cooperative Extension

 

 

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  Objective Consumers will increase their knowledge and adopt practices concerning proper plant selection, cultural practices, and plant pest management strategies that maximize plant performance while minimizing inputs, and protect environmental resources.
     
  Teaching Points Plant selection based on:
   
  • Site conditions compared to plant requirements
  • Pest (insect and disease) tolerance/resistance
  • Increasing plant diversity (using new and/or under utilized plant species and cultivars)
  • Mature plant size appropriate for the location
     
    Preventing water contamination and minimizing water usage:
   
  • Reducing runoff (improving soil, decreasing amount of hard surfaces)
  • Increasing water absorption
  • Using plants with low water needs
  • Method used for watering (drip irrigation, soaker hose) and time of application
  • Reducing soil erosion by using mulch, cover crops, and/or water diversions
     
    Reducing yard waste by:
   
  • Composting
  • Reducing the need to prune
  • Grasscycling
     
    Fertilization based on:
   
  • Soil test results
  • The amount of plant growth
  • Preventing/reducing possible water contamination (time and method of application, reduced runoff and leaching)
     
    Reduce pesticide misuse and possible environmental contamination by:
   
  • Accurate insect and disease identification
  • Identification and use of beneficial insects
  • Use of cultural, sanitation, and mechanical methods to prevent and control pests (weeds, insects, garden wildlife, diseases)
  • Pesticide selection, time of application, calibration of equipment, disposal of unused spray mixtures and pesticide storage
  • Learning how to read a pesticide label
     
    Cultural practices to enhance plant growth and health:
   
  • Correct planting techniques
  • Adequate spacing between plants
  • Mulching
  • Pruning
  • Fertilization (time, amount, and type of fertilizer applied)
     
     
"Helping Gardeners Put Knowlege to Work sm"
     
Site maintained by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist, Department of Horticultural Science