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With
the arrival of spring, thoughts
and actions turn quickly to the
outdoors. Everyone wants a
beautiful yard filled with nice
patches of grass and lush trees
and shrubs. Before adding
chemicals and pesticides or
signing up for another year with a
lawn treatment company, consider
organic solutions instead.
Because
pesticides were designed to
destroy living organisms, they can
also hurt humans, pets and the
environment. After application,
these substances can be found in
our houses, often on playing
surfaces of children, and in our
water supplies. According
to the Journal of the National
Cancer Institute, exposure to
garden pesticide can increase the
risk of childhood leukemia almost
sevenfold. In other studies,
breast cancer, Parkinson’s
disease and canine lymphoma have
been linked to exposure to
herbicides and pesticides. Not
only do these chemicals pose risks
to our families, but also to
birds, fish, insects and other
wildlife.
Before
you reach for the bug spray,
determine if the pest is a serious
threat, meaning one that will kill
the plant, tree, shrub, etc.
Investigate problems by buying a
good insect book and hand lens or
contacting your county extension
office for assistance. Check out
organic pest sprays, but keep in
mind that even these can kill
beneficial bugs, such as lady bugs
and lacewings, which eat bad bugs.
Often a simple no cost solution,
for example hand picking and
dropping into a container of soapy
water, is the best solution for
larger pests.
When
buying new plants, choose native
and disease resistant varieties.
Most native plants are drought
tolerant once established and
many, such as coneflowers
(Echinacea purpurea), are
resistant to deer. These are
available in a variety of colors
and bloom throughout the summer.
Everyone loves roses, but not the
black spot that plagues them.
Today, there are disease resistant
varieties which eliminate the need
to spray, such as Knock Out ,
Kordes and many shrub roses.
To
create a healthy green lawn
without the use of chemicals, use
organic solutions. To improve your
soil and increase moisture
retention, add compost to your
existing lawn to a thickness
between 1/4” – 3/8”. Reseed
your lawn to thicken it, crowding
out weeds and reducing weed seed
germination. Cut your grass to a
height of 3”, keeping lawnmower
blades sharp and never cutting off
more than 1/3 of the grass blade.
Don’t bag those lawn clippings;
they feed your soil and also help
retain moisture. If we don’t
receive an inch of rain for the
week, water in the early morning.
This helps prevent diseases. Feed
with a slow release organic
fertilizer following the
directions on the package. Do not
over fertilize, as the plants will
only take up whatever nutrients
they can and the rest will be
washed away.
This
year say no to chemicals,
herbicides and pesticides. Choose
an organic solution for lawn and
plant care and help create a
healthier and safer environment
for you, your family and wildlife.
For
more information on lawn care and
organic gardening, see www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/owners.htm
and www.organicgardening.com
Sharon
Tepe is the founder of Go Green.
If you would like more
information, contact
Sharon
at sharon.tepe@fuse.net
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