(Acworth, Ga. – April 12, 2010) It was a home victory for a group of environmental horticulture students based out of the Chattahoochee Technical College, North Metro Campus. In addition to playing host to nearly 1,200 people from around the country at the 34th annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days, the 28 students of the Chattahoochee Technical College team placed first out of the 69 registered teams in attendance.

Humzah Khraim works in the paver installation competition

Also earning top honors for Chattahoochee Technical College was Jessica Logan of Acworth, who was named the Superstar of the event. Logan, who participated in five events, won the honor for the best individual performance in the competition out of 890 participants. Logan, Brian Watters, Judy-Lynn Hoppe and Lisa Hutchinson were also awarded scholarships by the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation.

“Our team has shown once again they are a force to be reckoned with at this event,” said Shane Evans, Environmental Horticulture Instructor and Technical Division Chair. “They should be very proud of their performance and winning the title back again.”

For almost 20 years, the team has finished in the top ten in the nation, including a first place finish overall in 2008. Led by horticulture instructors Evans, John Hatfield, Bejie Herrin and Dean of Technical Studies, Rex Bishop, the team competed against about 900 students from both two-year and four-year colleges and universities. As many as 100 students competed in many of the competition’s 28 events.

“The team knows how well we have done in the past,” Evans said. “That comes with a certain amount of pressure, but our students know that they are building skills that will stay with them in their future careers.”

Chattahoochee Technical College’s team scored a combined 4072.43 points, more than 70 points ahead of second place finishers, Brigham Young University at Provo. Along with the school’s first place award, the team had 27 students finish in the top ten, including 15 top three finishes in individual and group events.

Schools finishing in the top 10 were:

1. Chattahoochee Technical College
2. Brigham Young University at Provo
3. Brigham Young University at Idaho
4. North Carolina State University
5. University of Maryland
6. Penn State
7. Colorado State University
8. Mississippi State University
9. Columbus State Community College
10. Michigan State University

Chattahoochee Technical College students, Humzah Khraim and Craig Morris, both of Marietta, work in the paver installation competition

Featuring 890 students, 160 faculty members and 200 industry leaders, the event consisted of informational workshops, networking opportunities, a career fair and 28 competitive events. Among these individual and team events are plant identification, landscape design, paver installation, compact excavator operation and leadership skills.

The annual three-day gathering of faculty and horticulture students from colleges and universities across the country came back to the North Metro Campus for the third time in the event’s history. The school previously hosted the event in 1995 and 2008. In addition to earning bragging rights for themselves and their school, students who participate also receive scholarships and award money.

“It was a pleasure to host teams from across the country,” said Dr. Sanford Chandler, CTC President. “This was a wonderful opportunity to show off our facilities and our environmental horticulture program.”

Chattahoochee Technical College was also awarded the Walt Peebles Spirit Award from STHIL, an award is given to the school that shows the most enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

“During the presentation of the award by STIHL, it was stated that the major influence of our team winning the award was due to the support or our faculty/staff and community support,” said Evans.

Students and prospective students interested in learning more about Chattahoochee Technical College’s Environmental Horticulture program are invited to attend an open house on April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Those interested can stop by any time during those hours to find out more about the school’s award winning program and register to win door prizes.

Top 10 finishers from Chattahoochee Technical College include:

 Kevin Porter (Acworth) and Brian Watters (Acworth) , second, Arboriculture
 Cassie Templeton (Acworth), first, and Cheryl Gress (Kennesaw), second in Annual and Perennial ID
 Lisa McKinney (Acworth), first, and Debra Stockton, (Marietta), second, Business Management
 Alejandro Simmonds (Marietta), first, Computer Aided Landscape Design
 Emily Schmidt (Marietta), fifth, and Kati Ward (Marietta), sixth, Interior Plant ID
 Jessica Logan (Acworth) and Brian Watters (Acworth), third, Irrigation Assembly
 Jessica Logan (Acworth), first, Irrigation Design
 Jessica Logan (Acworth), first, Irrigation Troubleshooting
 Humzah Kharim (Marietta) and Kevin Porter (Acworth), first, Landscape Maintenance Operation
 Kelsey Collum (Rockmart), Humzah Kharim (Marietta) and Jessica Logan (Acworth), first, Landscape Plant Installation
 Debra Stockton (Marietta), second, Leadership Skills
 Humzah Kharim (Marietta), eighth, and Craig Morris (Marietta), tenth, Maintenance Cost Estimation
 Nikki Morris (White), eighth, Pest Management
 Sandra Wilson (Woodstock), seventh, Sales Presentation
 Kevin Porter (Acworth), first, Skid Steer Operation
 Nanci Lee (Cartersville), third, Small Engine Repair (test event)
 James Brannan (Woodstock), eighth, and Nanci Lee (Cartersville), tenth, Turf and Turf Pest ID
 Cassie Templeton (Acworth), second, and Jessica Logan (Acworth), fourth, Woody Plant ID

About Chattahoochee Technical College:

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Technical College is the largest technical college in the state with a student population of more than 11,000 students. The college has seven campus locations throughout the counties of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding, and Pickens counties. Chattahoochee Technical College offers over 100 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs through traditional classroom courses as well as online training. The college also provides the community with learning opportunities including customized workforce training, adult literacy and continuing education programs.

For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

Source:  Chattahoochee Technical College/Rebecca Long

Bark: Small pieces of bark are preferred over large chunks. Bark mulches vary, but all are attractive, durable and suitable for vegetable gardens. The high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of bark requires prior application of nitrogen fertilizer.

Cocoa shells: Available in some areas of Georgia. These are brown, light, easy-to-handle and relatively noncombustible. Cocoa shells have some value as a fertilizer and resist blowing in the wind. Their high potash content harms some plants, so they should not be applied to a depth greater than 2 inches. Cocoa shells may have an offensive odor.

Coffee grounds: Coffee grounds cake badly; a depth of 1 inch is recommended. Coffee grounds contain some nitrogen.

Compost: An especially good mulch, compost has fertilizer value and soil-like appearance. Finished compost (humus) is also a good organic amendment for tilling into the soil after the growing season ends.

Corn cobs: Ground corn cobs are a good mulch. Some find their light color objectionable. Other uses for ground corn cobs, such as in feeds and mash, tend to limit the supply for mulching.

Leaves: Leaves are free, readily available in many areas, release some nutrients upon decomposition and spread easily. However, they have a tendency to form a soggy, impenetrable mat. This problem can be overcome by mixing leaves with fluffy materials, such as hay or straw, or by shredding the leaves with a lawn mower.

Newspaper: This is certainly readily available and economical but somewhat difficult to apply. The high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio necessitates the prior application of nitrogen fertilizer. A good use for newspaper is as an undermulch; that is, place two to three sheets under a thin layer of an attractive, more expensive mulch.

Peanut shells: (Not recommended) These are attractive and easy to apply. Peanut shells also contain nitrogen and are long-lasting. However, peanut shells are carriers of Sclerotium rotfsii, also known by the common names of Southern blight and white mold, which can be a major problem in the garden. Peanut hulls may also be infested with nematodes and nutsedge seeds and/or tubers. At the present time, peanut hulls are not recommended as a mulch.

Peat moss: This mulch is attractive and easy to handle but somewhat expensive. Dry peat moss requires considerable time and water to become moist, so it should be applied only to a 3-inch or less depth and avoided in areas subject to drought. Its acidic pH makes it especially desirable for acid-loving plants.

Pine needles: These have an aesthetics appeal and are not prone to forming a soggy mat as are leaves. They are especially good for acid-loving plants.

Polyethylene film: This is one of the few mulches that is readily available and economical enough to be used on larger-scale commercial applications. Polyethylene allows passage of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Holes or slits facilitate the planting of seeds or plants and water entry. It can last several years if undamaged by machinery. Usually, it is used as black film. Clear film is sometimes used, but it offers limited weed control (unless herbicide is applied before mulching), since light passes through it. Earlier crops can be produced with the clear and, to a lesser degree, black plastic mulch because of the warming of the soil.

Straw/hay: These materials are lightweight and easy to apply, but their appearance restricts their application mostly to vegetable gardens. They are used more frequently as a winter mulch for protection. They are not long-lasting and frequently contain weed seeds. Coastal Bermuda hay is propagated vegetatively and is an excellent hay mulch.

Sawdust: Aged or partially rotted sawdust makes a satisfactory mulch that lasts a long time. Since it is prone to caking and has a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, apply it only 2 inches deep after adding nitrogen fertilizer to the soil.

Wood chips: Since these are moderately priced or free, attractive, readily available and easy to apply, they make an excellent mulch. However, their high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio requires an application of nitrogen fertilizer. Wood chips can last about two years. Like bark mulch, woodchips can be a vector for termites.

For additional information on mulches, see Extension Bulletin 816, Composting and Mulching, available from your county extension office.

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

J. Scott Angle, Dean and Director

Source:
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service

]]> http://seasonswood.com/choosing-the-right-mulch/feed/ 0 http://seasonswood.com/xeriscape-gardening/ http://seasonswood.com/xeriscape-gardening/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:53:02 +0000 admin http://seasonswood.com/?p=54 Xeriscape (pronounced “zera-scape”), a term coined in Colorado in 1981, is loosely defined as a water-conserving method of landscaping in dry climates.

Xeriscape Gardening

Xeriscape gardening refers to a seven-step approach to conserving landscape water without sacrificing environmental quality. Its importance in Georgia has increased as water shortages and restrictions on outdoor water use have become more common and population growth has placed increasing strain on available water supplies. Between 1990 and 2000, Georgia’s population grew by 20 percent, and the majority of these new residents migrated to urban areas. By 2000 more than half of Georgia’s 8.1 million residents lived in just 15 of the state’s 159 counties. Not only are there more people competing for water resources in urban areas, but periodic drought during the growing season increases the demand for municipal water as citizens turn on irrigation systems to keep their lawns green and their plants healthy.

During the summer months, when citizens irrigate their yards and gardens,

Xeriscape Gardening

residential water use typically increases between 40 and 60 percent. Unfortunately, much of the water applied to landscapes is used unnecessarily to irrigate drought-tolerant plants that do not need supplemental water. Millions of gallons of water could be saved each year if citizens learned how to water, when to water, the most efficient methods of applying water, and the water requirements of lawns and landscape plants.

The seven steps to Xeriscape gardening include proper planning and design, soil analysis, appropriate plant selection, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation, the use of mulches, and appropriate maintenance. The more thoroughly these steps are implemented, the more water-efficient a landscape will become. The Xeriscape concept has been adopted by states throughout the nation, including Georgia, and has been modified to fit local climate and soil conditions.

Proper Planning and Design

Proper planning and design are important, both for designing a new landscape and for adding to an existing landscape.

Xeriscape Gardening

When possible, incorporate existing native vegetation into the landscape. Native areas left undisturbed generally require no supplemental irrigation. When designing new areas, divide the landscape into three water-use zones: high, moderate, and low. High-water-use zones are small, highly visible areas of the landscape where plants are watered routinely for optimum growth. Plants in the moderate-water-use zone are watered only when they show visible signs of stress, such as wilted foliage and off-green color, while plants in the low-water-use zone are provided no supplemental irrigation once established. Ideally, 10 percent or less of the total landscape area should be zoned for high water use, not more than 30 percent should be moderate water use, and 60 percent or more should be zoned for low water use.

Soil Analysis

Soil analysis is critical to optimize the soil’s water-holding capacity, yet provide good drainage. Organic amendments, for example compost, benefit most soils. It is recommended that four inches of an organic material be applied to the soil surface and incorporated into the top twelve inches.

Appropriate Plant Selection

Appropriate plant selection is important to any landscape, but it has particular importance in a Xeriscape. Select plants that are adapted to the site conditions and plant them in the appropriate water-use zones. Any plant in the nursery trade can be used in a Xeriscape, provided it is zoned according to the amount of water the established plant will require.

Practical Turf Areas

Practical turf areas emphasize the use of turfgrass for its function in the landscape, such as for erosion control or as a recreational surface. Avoid using large expanses of irrigated turfgrass just to fill space in the landscape. When selecting turfgrasses, consider their ability to withstand hot, dry periods in summer.

Efficient Irrigation

Efficient irrigation makes every drop count. By irrigating between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., less evaporative water loss occurs than in the hot mid-day sun. Water also can be saved by resetting the irrigation time clock regularly according to changes in rainfall patterns and by installing a rainfall sensor to prevent the irrigation system from operating during rain. Drip irrigation and hand watering help target irrigation to plants that need it.

Use of Mulches

The use of mulches helps conserve water in the soil and insulates the roots of plants from extreme heat in summer and cold in winter. Mulches also reduce soil-borne foliar diseases by acting as a barrier between the soil and the foliage. Such organic mulches as pine straw, pine bark, and shredded hardwood bark are excellent mulch choices.

Appropriate Maintenance

Appropriate maintenance is critical once the other water-saving steps are in place. Reduce the amount of fertilizer applied, particularly during dry periods, and minimize summer pruning that encourages new, succulent growth, which has a high demand for water.

Xeriscape Gardening

Grasscycling, the practice of leaving grass clippings on the turf area instead of bagging them, adds moisture and nutrients back to the turf and conserves moisture by acting as a mulch at the base of the grass blades.

Xeriscape gardening is a practical, common-sense approach to quality landscapes that conserves water and protects the environment. It is a beautiful way to have twice the landscape for half the water.

Suggested Reading

Connie Lockhart Ellefson, Thomas L. Stephens, and Doug Welsh, Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape (New York: Macmillan, 1992).

Norman Taylor, Taylor’s Guide to Water-Saving Gardening (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990).

G. L. Wade et. al., Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water-wise Landscape, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin, no. 1073 (Athens: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, 1992).

Gary L. Wade, University of Georgia
Source:  GeorgiaEncyclopedia.org