Georgia College & State University
OP-10: Landscape Management

We use an IPM program 100% throughout campus for many reasons, ecological, economical, labor savings, and our rural location allows us more options.

GC allows Grounds Department to be in on the Campus Planning and Design Phase.

a- Design phase which decides which plants, soils, damages, etc the landscape may receive due to new landscape installation. Plants under stress are more susceptible to insects and diseases. We try and eliminate pest problems at the front by choice of each aspect and what it will affect. Planning for the future as best we can, if sometimes we are vetoed then we look at other options.

b- Inclusive in the design phase of landscaping we can affect so much.

1-request specific plants that have a high affinity for pests problems not be allowed on our campus or if needed for diversity of plant material to limit them to specific areas.

2- Being aware of the pest problems we may be able to add extra drainage to solve the problems before the plants are installed by amending the soil or designing in extra shade.

3- We believe that soil is best when it includes composted dirt and or if not able to do this to add in types of Mycorrhizae into the soil to assist in plant health which is holistic with water, etc.

4- Making sure that all designs are around the proper microclimate in which the plant would best perform with undue stress which attracts pest problems.

5- We are aware of most seasonal pests, and their time of arrival, we even keep “indicator plants” planted so that we know where to go look first to see the beginning of “Aphid Season” or “Spider Mite season”. We keep a log of the pests and the plants they seasonally attack and monitor them. Quite often only needing a pesticide application every 2 or 3 years to get the pest back into check.,ie: tea scale on Camellias

6- Limit and control the irrigation design so as to be able to water sunny sides of bldgs. different from shady sides, to isolate particular plants and needs in the design phase. We limit irrigation to only establish plants and then keep them alive, we are not interested in watering for waterings sake. We stop watering early in late summer to fall to get plant shutdown for winter.

Before Considering a Chemical Spraying we have to determine the following

1. Acceptable pest levels: We establish acceptable pest levels, called action thresholds, and apply controls if those thresholds are crossed and if it is required. Often pests are temporary and the population will explode until mother nature gets them under control without affecting the Health of the plant. If and when a pest is determined to be detrimental to that plant we only spray that species if it is affected (ie: as in on the southside of the building it may be affected but not on the northside of the bldg). Sometimes like late summer on Lantana we may cut off the tops (spider mites) remove foliage and pest, then follow with a mild spray and let regrow.

2. Preventive cultural practices: Selecting varieties best for local growing conditions, and maintaining healthy crops, is the first line of defense, together with 'cultural techniques' such as crop sanitation (e.g. removal of diseased plants to prevent spread of infection).

3. Monitoring: Inspection and Identification. Accurate pest identification is critical to a successful IPM program. Record-keeping is essential, as is a thorough knowledge of the behavior and reproductive cycles of target pests.

4. Mechanical controls: Should a pest reach an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are the first options to consider. They include hosing the plant off, putting out baits, collecting to see if damage is truly occurring.

5. Biological controls: Natural biological processes and materials can provide control, with minimal environmental impact, and often at low cost. The main focus here is on promoting other wildlife to stay in the rural setting we have to assist us. Birds, beneficial insects, micro-organisms (BT) Bacteria usage mycorrhizae in the soil and others.

6. Pesticide Use: Synthetic are generally only used as required and often only at specific times in a pests life cycle, or only to know a population down for plants to recuperate. Many of the newer pesticide groups are derived from plants or naturally occurring substances

An IPM regime can be quite simple or sophisticated. Although originally developed for agricultural pest management, IPM programs are now developed to encompass diseases, weeds, and other pests that interfere with the management objectives of sites such as residential and commercial structures, lawn and turf areas, and home and community gardens.

IPM is the intelligent selection and use of pest control actions that will ensure favorable economic, ecological and sociological consequences. Reliance on knowledge, experience, observation, and integration of multiple techniques makes IPM a perfect fit for landscapes in university settings in which the crew has a vested interest from the beginning of design all the way to implementation of IPM program.

At GC the grounds department tries for a holistic approach to campus life which for Grounds Department includes, soils ,worms, insect, plants, trees, birds, water, erosion, shade, and other life which need to co-exist.

Yes, native trees, shrubs, and grasses are favored heavily.

All grass clippings, leaves, plant removals, limbs, and trees are taken to a composting facility at West Campus. Once a year large materials are reduced with a tub grinder and composted. Over 500 cubic yards of material is returned from the composting program to flower beds and other growing areas each year.

We believe that soil is best when it includes composted dirt and or if not able to do this to add in types of Mycorrhizae into the soil to assist in plant health which is holistic with water, etc.

Georgia College composts all its yard trimmings and plant waste. We have a composter and use a 3-rd party contractor to chip our limbs. We re-use plants and provide 80% of the soil amendment we need from our own production.

Settlement pond and natural surfaces. We have installed pervious pavers in places where foot traffic allows.