Purpose:

Proper implementation of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) is the industry’s strategy to address agricultural nonpoint pollution sources. This article is to make growers aware of such BMPs related to nursery operations, as ornamental production in Miami-Dade County ranks first in the State of Florida and contributed nearly $1 billion to the local economy.

Benefits of enrolling in the FDACS BMP Program and implementing BMPs include:

• Reduction of agricultural production impacts on natural resources;
• Eligibility for cost share funding for certain BMPs (as funds are available);
• Availability of free services provided by the FDACS Mobile Irrigation Laboratories to evaluate irrigation system efficiency;
• Technical assistance with BMP implementation;
• Release from the provisions of section 376.370(5), F.S. (fines for discharge damages) for pollutants addressed by the BMPs;
• Avoidance of duplicative local regulation under section 163.3162, F.S.

In many cases, proper BMP implementation may also increase production efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support wildlife habitat.

How to enroll?

• Request on-farm technical assistance. Contact FDACS representative for assistance with determining the BMPs that are applicable to your operation: phone number: 863-467-3250; email: agbmphelp@FDACS.gov
• Identify applicable BMPs by the FDACS representative.
• Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI).

Once enrolled into the BMP program, producers must properly implement all applicable BMPs as soon as practicable, but no later than 18 months after completion and execution of the NOI and associated BMP checklist, in which producers demonstrate that N and P are applied at appropriate agronomic rates, when available. Enrolled producers must retain the applicable records for at least five years and all documentation required to verify the proper implementation of applicable BMPs are subject to inspection.

BMP Checklist on irrigation management

• Crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling
  • Manage irrigation based on electronic soil moisture sensors
  • Use decision support tools and information to plan irrigation events. Tools may include weather stations, rain gauges, etc.
• Irrigation system maintenance and evaluation
  • Clean and maintain filtration equipment
  • Inspect sprinkler nozzles or emitters annually
  • Flush and treat irrigation lines regularly to prevent clogging
  • Ensure that flow meters are properly calibrated and correctly measuring water usage
  • Schedule an irrigation efficiency evaluation of your pressurized irrigation system by a Mobile Irrigation Laboratory at least every five years
  • Keep evaluation records
• Additional irrigation system BMPs for nursery operations
  • Minimize the leaching of nutrients by calculating the leachate fraction (LF) and adjusting irrigation run time. Here are references for calculating the leachate fraction and adjusting irrigation run time based on the recommended LFs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP529; https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/auditing-overhead-irrigation-systems-in-container-nurseries-leaching-fraction/
  • When using irrigation for frost/freeze protection, monitor on-site temperatures to determine when to turn off the system

BMP Checklist on nutrient management

• The scientific principles of the nutrient stewardship framework involve applying the RIGHT SOURCE of fertilizer at the RIGHT RATE, RIGHT TIME, and in the RIGHT PLACE
  • Perform soil tests or tissue tests to appropriately plan and manage fertilizer applications
  • Maintain documentation to support application amounts, particularly documentation used to justify application amounts above the recommended rates
  • Minimize N and P loss through leaching or runoff by using enhanced efficiency fertilizer
  • Use wind-breaks or other means to minimize plant blow-over when applicable
  • Store fertilizer material under a waterproof cover and impermeable barrier below
• The goal is to match nutrient supply with crop requirements and to minimize nutrient losses

This document is adopted from the manual for Florida nursery operations, 2024 edition: water quality and water quantity best management practices. Publication No. FDACS-P-01267, rev.11/24

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