Should you fertilize your grass now?

Are you wondering if you should be fertilizing your warm season grasses now?

Listen to R.J. Byrne, University of Georgia Thomas County Ag Extension Agent, as he discusses this in the video below.



Specific information can be found at these links.
- Centipede Calendar -
- St. Augustine Calendar -
- Bermuda Calendar -
- Zoysiagrass Calendar -

For more information, visit our Agriculture page -

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COFFEE GROUNDS FOR FERTILIZER

Used coffee grounds are a fertilizer for your plants and a great addition to Compost piles. You may add them to either existing or brand new plant beds.

Many gardeners compost their leaves, grass clippers and trimmings from their yard. The soil can be improved and more productive by mixing organic matter into the soil. Kitchen waste such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves and eggshells may be added to the compost pile. Coffee grounds added to the compost pile help maintain the nitrogen balance which is import for decomposition of the organic materials in compost.

Coffee grounds can be applied directly to acid loving plants like blueberries, hydrangeas, azaleas, roses and tomato plants. Ground coffee is high in nitrogen, making it a good mulch for fast growing vegetables. Coffee contains a number of substances that promote healthy plant growth. Work coffee grounds into the soil so that they don’t form a crust on the top.

Coffee grounds are a source of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients are beneficial to the plants in your garden. Using the grounds is an environmentally friendly and cost effective way to nourish plants.

Increase carrot and radish harvest by mixing seeds with dry coffee grounds before planting the seed.

Coffee grounds may be used on indoor plants too or use left over coffee to water indoor plants.

An analysis of coffee grounds was performed in 1995 by the University of Washington, College of Forest Resources, the

Primary Nutrients are:
Nitrogen 1.45%
Phosphorus not a significant amount
Potassium 1204 UG/G


Secondary Nutrients
Calcium 389 UG/G
Magnesium 448 UG/G
Sulfur high UG /G


Terms: UG/G=microgram/gram

In summary, coffee grounds can lower pH and add organic matter to soil. Coffee grounds can be sourced from your home or you may be able to find used grounds at your local restaurant or coffee shop.

Update on Farm Bill Meetings

Looking for the latest info on the Farm Bill?

Then you need to attend one of the information sessions below. For more information please contact R.J. at the extension office - 229.225.4130 or rjbyrne@uga.edu. You will need to register for the location you will be attending.

DATES AND LOCATIONS
-March 23, Camilla (Mitchell Co. Extension Office), 5-9pm
-March 24, Midville (Station), 12-4pm
-March 26, Hawkinsville (Steakhouse Resturant), 10am-2pm
-March 27, Alma (Bacon Co. Extension Office), 10am-2pm

PROPOSED AGENDA
* Crops Outlook- Nathan Smith and Don Shurley (45 min)
* Budgets and Crop Comparisons- Amanda Smith (15 min)
* Farm Bill Overview- Don Shurley (10 min)
* DCP and Loan- Nathan Smith (15 min)
* Conservation Programs- Amanda Smith (20 min)
* Attribution, Limits, Eligibility- Keith Kightlinger (20 min)
* SURE- Wes Harris (20 min)
* ACRE- Don Shurley and Wes Harris (15 min)
* FSA Open Q and A (20 min)

What To Do About High Fertilizer Prices In Cotton Production?

Anyone paying attention to the fertilizer market has seen the prices jump +20% since the start of the year. As you continue to watch the markets, a bull market, climb upward, here are a few things to think about this year for your production plans.

UGA Cotton Team Soil Scientist Dr. Harris gives a few tips:

Unfortunately there are no “silver bullets” when it comes to getting around these prices. Cotton needs a certain amount of nutrients. These need to be supplied from the soil and from applied fertilizer. The higher the yield goal, the more nutrients the cotton plant needs.

Banding P and K fertilizer does not increase uptake efficiency on soils with medium or higher P and K soil test levels. If you cut the recommended rate of P and K because you apply them in a band you may also cut your yield.

Some things that may be helpful to weather the storm of high fertilizer prices this year include:

1) Soil test – Important to do every year anyway but even more important now. Makes the cost of soil testing pale in comparison to the value of knowing where you stand.

2) Apply the recommended P and K, and ¼ to 1/3 of your total N rate at planting. If using chicken litter as a preplant fertilizer, calculate how much N, P and K is applied.

3) Tissue test around first square if you suspect any micronutrient problems (mainly Mn or Zn) especially due to high soil pH.

4) Sidedress N between first square and first bloom with the appropriate N rate for expected yield goal. Give yourself a 30 lb N/a credit if following peanuts or a legume cover crop.

5) Starting at first bloom, petiole test to fine tune N, K and boron needs. This is especially recommended if you are cutting your N rate compared to previous years because you thought you were high, or if using chicken litter since it is not easily predicted exactly how much and when N will be released from the organic portion of the litter.