Issue 61

March 2016

The sun is out, the skies are blue and the temperatures are warming up. It's time to get ready for spring planting season!

You may have your fertilizer and seeds, but is your equipment ready for planting? Well, there's still time to do some spring season maintenance on all your equipment and we can help. Call or stop by our Parts Department for a wide selection of inventory to get you rolling. Our Service Department is also available to tackle any tune up or maintenance jobs. Give us a call today.

Make sure you're ready before the lawn begins to green and grow. Take a look at the Kubota Z122RKW-42 inch cut Zero Turn Mower. This easy to maneuver mower will help you get the job done in less time. And, it's on sale at a great price--just $3,899 plus a 3-year warranty! Get it now with 0% financing for 38 months! See more below.

Confused by all the numbers on your fertilizer container? Unsure of how much fertilizer to use or when to fertilize? Take a look at Understanding Fertilizers in Part 2 of our series featured in Chewin' the Cud this month.

Get your gardening tools ready and read the March Gardening Guide for more info on planting this month.

Finally, check out the March Activities and Events to see what's going on around the state.

GEAR UP FOR SPRING!
It's Time to Get Outside

Kubota Z122RKW-42 Zero Turn Mower $3,899
3 year warranty and 38 months with 0% financing!

Come by and check it out today!

Used Products and Specials

Check out all the great deals at cahabatractor.com.
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Chewin' the Cud: The Cahaba Tractor Corner

Understanding Fertilizers

Fertilizer 101
Fertilizers are natural or synthetic compounds that are applied to the soil or plant to supply essential nutrients needed for growth. Often, they are referred to as plant food, which they are not. Fertilizers are used to feed plants nutrients, but the plants make their own food with those nutrients, air, water and energy from the sun.

As we discussed in last month's article, Navigating the Necessary Nutrients Needed for Plant & Crop Growth, there are 16 elements necessary for plant growth. Every element is equally important to the plant, yet required in different amounts. Therefore, they have been grouped into three categories; primary (macro) nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients.

Fertilizer Analysis
All fertilizers are labeled with three numbers, such as 10-10-10, 16-16-16, 20-10-5. These three numbers give the percentage by weight of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen is necessary for leaf and stem growth and provides the rich green color in a plant. Phosphorous (derived by the plant from phosphate) provides for root and flower growth. Potassium (derived by the plant from potash) helps build plant tissue and aids the production of chlorophyll.

A fertilizer is said to be complete when it contains all three elements, (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) and is incomplete when it is missing at least one of the three major elements.

Fertilizer Types
Fertilizers are either natural or synthetic, but a combination of both is required for healthy plant growth and production.

1) Natural fertilizers - consist of organic resources, like blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion, compost, rock powders and all manures. They usually contain relatively low concentrations of actual nutrients, but they perform other important functions which the synthetic fertilizers do not. These functions include: increasing organic content of the soil, improving physical structure of the soil, and increasing bacterial and fungal activity.

    2) Synthetic fertilizers - contain "ready-made" nutrients necessary for plant growth. Synthetic fertilizers are soluble, meaning they are available to plants soon after application. However, the effects are not long-lasting and must be re-applied frequently. Other types of synthetic fertilizers include:
        A) Liquid fertilizers - good for accurate applications for
      container plants
      B) Slow-release fertilizers - feed plants over an extended
              period of time (good for lawns). Caution is needed when
              slow release fertilizers are applied around trees or
              shrubs, as the later nutrient release may keep the plants
              growing into the fall when they should be hardening off for
              the winter.

Over-Fertilizing Effects
Here are a few issues resulting from over-fertilizing:

1) Synthetic fertilizers are salts incorporated with various plant nutrients. If plant roots are too close to the fertilizer granules, water is drawn from these roots. Plant cells in these roots begin to dehydrate and collapse and the plant roots are "burned" or dried out to a point where they cannot recover.

2) Fertilizer must be applied according to instructions at the proper time and rate to prevent water quality problems. Nutrients, in particular nitrogen, can become a water quality problem through leaching or run-off, which can rob your soil of nutrients and lead to erosion.

3) Applying incorrect amounts of fertilizer or the wrong nutrients to plants can affect their growth, production and overall health. Soil tests help to determine the status of plant-available nutrients when developing fertilizer recommendations prior to planting.

Fertilizer Application Methods

Proper nutrition is essential for plant growth and production, but efficient application of the correct types and amounts of fertilizers is also important. The method of applying fertilizers depends on the nature of your plants, their nutrient needs and the soil.

Types of application methods:

1) Deep soil application - incorporates fertilizers into the soil prior to planting.

2) Broadcasting or top dressing - utilizes a spreader to scatter fertilizer on top of the soil. It can be broadcast and watered into the soil before planting or top-dressed and watered onto already growing plants. This method is good for flowerbeds, lawns, trees and vegetable gardens.

3) Banding - is used to fertilize a row of flowers or vegetables or to get plants started. The fertilizer is placed two inches to the side and two inches deeper than the seed furrow.

4) Liquid application - uses a water-soluble fertilizer that can be applied with spray cans or with sprinklers or furrow irrigation. For plants that can absorb nutrients through their leaves, a water-soluble fertilizer is usually sprayed directly onto leaves when they first show signs of nutrient deficiency and in periods of drought when the soil is to dry to absorb the nutrients. This method does have some drawbacks. Solutions that are too strong might burn or scorch the leaves. So only small amounts of nutrients can be applied in a single spray, which can be expensive unless the fertilizer is combined with pesticides to control insects or disease.

5) Side dressing - is applied on top of the soil at least six inches from the base of the plant during the growing period.

6) Base feeding - is applied on top of the soil at least six inches from the base of the plant and extends out twelve inches beyond branch tips. Fertilizer is then scratched into the soil without disturbing roots. This method is good for shrubs and roses.

General Fertilizer Guidelines:

Like humans, plants require certain elements to grow and remain healthy. Plant growth and production is directly related to the degree of the fertility of the soil. Take the time to test the soil for nutrients and ph levels; then prepare a good fertilization program to ensure a strong, healthy crop and garden that will last all season.

It's been a long, wet winter and it sure is great to finally see the sun. Now is a good time to get outside and get to work. Come by and see us for the latest Kubota equipment and implements to help you get your job done this spring. We're looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Cahaba Tractor Co.

2411 Hwy. 31 South

Pelham, AL 35124

(205) 663-1470

Spring-Thyme Garden

Why settle for less

when you can have

the best?

At Cahaba Tractor,

we make work seem like play!

Here's
Mud

Your

Eye

Another Dozen Roses?

A rather puny-looking guy applies for a job as a lumberjack. "Sorry," says the head lumberjack, eyeing the man up and down, "you're just too small."

"Give me a chance to show you what I can do," the guy pleads. "You won't regret it."

"Okay," says the boss. "See that giant oak over there? Let's see you chop it down."

Half an hour later, the mighty oak is felled, amazing the boss. "Where'd you learn to cut trees like that?" he asks.

"The Sahara Forest," replies the lumberjack.

"You mean the Sahara Desert?" asks the boss.

"Sure, if that's what they call it now!"

--Anonymous

March
Gardening Guide

Fruits and Nuts:

Continue strawberry and grape plantings. Bud apples and peaches. Start planting blackberries--if unable to plant promptly, heel them in by placing the root system in a trench and cover with soil.

Vegetable Seed:

Continue planting hardy crops, like vegetables, root crops, roots and tubers, collards, salsify and swiss chard. After frost danger has passed, plant tender vegetables. Follow the AL Vegetable Garden Planting Chart for planting dates.

Vegetable Plants:

Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli and Brussels sprouts in north Alabama and tomatoes and peppers in south Alabama.

Annuals and Perennials:

Plant tender annuals in south Alabama.

Bulbs:

Plant gladiolas every 2 to 3 weeks for a longer blooming season. Plant tuberous begonias in pots. Plant dahlias.

Roses:

Check new growth for aphids. Begin spray/dust and fertilizer program.

Shrubs:

Fertilize shrubs (except camellias and azaleas) according to soil test. Late plantings can still be made, especially if plants are container grown. Check shrubs for harmful insects.

Lawns:

Plant bermuda, zoysia and centipede in south Alabama. Seed bluegrass and grass mixtures in north Alabama. Fertilize established lawns.

Miscellaneous:

*Check and repair sprayers, dusters and lawn mowers.

*Begin weed program for lawn.

*Delay any pruning of fruiting shrubs, like cotoneasters, pyracanthas and hollies until after flowering.

*Cut back and compost any browned-out ornamental grasses and perennial flower foliage that was not cut back in the fall.

*Pull any weeds that may have grown over winter and delay mulching until weather warms up.

The gardening guide is based upon the USDA hardiness zones for Alabama.

The state zones are:

North Alabama - 7a

Birmingham area - 7b

South Alabama - 8a

Mobile area - 8b

For more gardening info, visit:

Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

March

Activities and Events

March 1

Farmer 101 - Small Fruit Production
Cullman
March 1, 6-9pm

Alabama Antique Trail Sale
Statewide
March 1-31

Spring Bird Migration
Dauphin Island
March 1 thru April 30

Alabama River Festival
Alabama River Museum
Franklin
March 3-5

Bridge Crossing Jubilee
Selma
March 3-6

NBHA Barrel Race
Morgan County Arena
Decatur
March 4-5

16th Annual Moundville Knap-In and Ancient Arts Gathering
Moundville
March 4-5

Cottontail's Village Arts, Crafts and Gifts Show
BJCC
Birmingham
March 4-6

Becoming and Outdoors-Woman Workshop
Columbiana
March 4-6

Azalea and Japanese Cherry Tree Show
Wetumpka
March 4-27

Azalea Bloom Out
Theodore
March 4-31

Road to Freedom Wagon Trail
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park
Orrville
March 4

Alabama Horse Fair
Garrett Coliseum
Montgomery
March 5-6

March Gourd Magic
The Rose Gallery
Clanton
March 5-26

Colonies of the Gulf Coast
Historic Fort Gaines
Dauphin Island
March 5-6

Jerry Brown Arts
Hamilton
March 5-6

Farmer 101 - Beekeeping and Syrup Making
Cullman
March 8, 6-9pm

Taste of Homewood
Rosewood Hall at SoHo
Homewood
March 10

Providence Hospital's 23rd Anniversary of Flowers
Mobile
March 10-13

Little Britches Youth Rodeo
Morgan County Arena
Decatur
March 12

Black and White Spring Forward Sale
Montgomery Stockyards
March 12, noon

Huntsville Blooms
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
March 12 thru April 30

March 13

Farmer 101- Small Livestock Management
Cullman
March 15

March 17

59th Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo
Garrett Coliseum
Montgomery
March 17-19

Spring Farm Day
Landmark Park
Dothan
March 19

BBQ & Blues Cook-Off
Foley Heritage Park
March 19

Alabama Gun Collector's Annual Salute to the Military Show
BJCC
Birmingham
March 19-20

March 20

Farmer 101 - Protected Production: Tunnel Season Extension and Hydroponics
Cullman
March 22

March 27

For more Alabama events this month, visit birmingham365.org or

Alabama Farmer's Cooperative, Inc.

Contact Us:
Cahaba Tractor Co.

2411 Hwy 31 South

Pelham, AL 35124

(205) 663-1470

sales@cahabatractor.com

www.cahabatractor.com

Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F

8:00am-12:00pm Sat.