How Safe Is Your Lawn2

How Safe Is Your Lawn

Are you, your children, your pets, and the environment at risk because of the lawn chemicals you use?

Sick Child

Canine Skin Cancer

Fish Kill

Synthetic lawn chemicals i.e. herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers endanger human and animal health and damage the environment.

Scientific studies have found numerous negative health consequences associated with the synthetic chemicals found in traditional lawn care products. A report by the National Academy of Sciences shows that the health of 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 4 children are negatively impacted in some form by lawn pesticides; numerous studies link lawn chemicals to cancers and other long-term diseases.   Children are especially at risk for negative health consequences due to their size, physiological development and proximity to the ground. Studies from Yale University, Mount Sinai Medical Center and several others point to children’s health risks associated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

“Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we’re beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin.” — Dick Irwin, toxicologist at Texas A&M Universities

Pesticides can be absorbed through the skin, swallowed or inhaled (most toxic). During application, pesticides drift and settle on ponds, laundry, toys, pools and furniture. People and pets track pesticide residue into the house. Only 5% of pesticides reach target weeds. The rest runs off into water or dissipates in the air. Drift from landscaping ranges from 12 feet to 14.5 miles. More serious effects appear to be produced by direct inhalation of pesticide sprays than by absorption or ingestion of toxins.

Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database

Pesticides initiate and propagate multiple chemical sensitivities. About 16 million US citizens are sensitive to pesticides (i.e. they have compromised immune functioning as a result of pesticide exposure).

Health Hazards of Chemical Fertilizers are birth defects, reproduction problems, liver damage, kidney damage, Blue Baby Syndrome, and reduced immune response.

Get the Facts about an Industrial Secret

Fact 1: Industries around the country are disposing of toxic waste by giving it to fertilizer manufacturers.

Fact 2: Some fertilizer has been found to contain dioxin, one of the most dangerous environmental chemicals ever identified, and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury.

Fact 3: Some plants such as lettuce, corn and potatoes uptake metals.

Fact 4: Common fertilizers used by families on gardens or by farmers on fields of edible crops may contain toxic metals in amounts greater than what the law defines as “hazardous waste.”

Fact 5: The law does not require fertilizer manufacturers to label which fertilizers contain toxic metals or where the hazardous wastes were obtained.

Fact 6: Toxic metals known to have serious health effects are present in fertilizers, yet there is no assessment of the cumulative danger to children, animals and soils resulting from the persistent application of fertilizers containing hazardous waste.

Fact 7: Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects of most metals, especially lead, which has been the subject of intense government efforts to reduce lead exposure to children. Products like fertilizer are of great concern as children spend more time on or near the ground and are often exposed to ground level substances through hand-to-mouth behavior.

TESTED FERTILIZERS CONTAIN HARMFUL TOXIC METALS

California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) Charitable Trust and Washington’s Safe Food and Fertilizer tested 29 fertilizers from 12 states for 22 toxic metals in dangerous quantities (Aluminum (Al), Antimony (Sb), Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Silver (Ag), Thallium (Tl), Thallium (Tl), Uranium (U), and Zinc (Zn). This report documents the results of these fertilizer samples, demonstrates that the problem of toxic fertilizers is widespread, and details concerns with proposed regulations for the practice.  Add to this list the thousands of hazardous compounds and then think about yourself, your spouse, your children and your pets.

Labeling is inadequate. Because fertilizer labeling laws only require beneficial nutrients, like zinc or phosphate, to be listed, fertilizers are sold directly to the public and farmers without warnings or information that informs consumers about the presence and quantity of toxic metals. Also, there is no indication on fertilizer labels as to whether or not the fertilizers we tested have been further treated to meet federal land disposal standards.

Each of these metals is suspected or known to be toxic to humans and the environment by the U.S. EPA. Nine metals, like arsenic and lead, are known or suspected to cause cancer and ten metals, like mercury, are linked to developmental effects. Three of the tested metals – lead, cadmium and mercury – are also persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs). PBTs persist for long periods of time in the environment – some indefinitely – and they can accumulate in the tissues of humans and wildlife, increasing the long-term health risks at even low levels of exposure. These three metals cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive problems.

Existing standards for toxic metals in fertilizers are inadequate for protecting our soils, crops, plants, water, air and health. All commercial fertilizers made from recycled materials, such as hazardous wastes, and produced for the public’s use are subject to the federal Land Disposal Restrictions. The U.S. EPA’s federal Land Disposal Restrictions, which are applied to zinc fertilizers that contain toxic waste, are intended to ensure that toxic substances are properly treated before the waste is disposed of in heavily regulated, lined landfills. Land Disposal Restriction standards are technology-based standards, which mean that they are designed to predict the ability of a hazardous waste to leach from these landfills.

Unfortunately, the recycling of hazardous wastes into fertilizer products does not always include the process of treatment or cleaning of hazardous waste, but rather dilution of the waste. Dilution involves adding substances to a waste to reduce the concentration of toxic substances that are present in the waste. Dilution does not reduce the toxicity of the hazardous constituents.

Several studies also link exposure to synthetic lawn chemicals to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems in pets.

According to Beyond Pesticides, Of 30 commonly used lawn chemicals, 23 (are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 13 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system.  Of those same17 are detected in groundwater, 23 have the ability to leach into drinking water sources, 24 are toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms vital to our ecosystem, 11 are toxic to bees, and 16 are toxic to birds.

Almost daily reports of contaminated rivers, streams, lakes and water supplies are published.  Canada and eleven US States have banned synthetic lawn care products.

Why should you switch to organic lawn care?

What are the Benefits?

• It is safer for humans, pets and the environment than synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
• It improves the quality of the soil, which will have an increased ability to retain water and nutrients.
• You will enjoy significant financial savings by transitioning from synthetic to organic lawn care, especially after the first year of use.
• Organic products will significantly reduce pests by restoring balance to your lawn’s ecosystem. You will benefit from reduced maintenance in mowing, watering and fertilizing because you will have a naturally stronger and healthier lawn.
• A report by the National Academy of Sciences shows that the health of 1 in 7 people is negatively impacted in some form by lawn pesticides.
• Numerous studies link lawn chemicals to cancers and other long-term diseases.
• Several studies also link exposure to artificial lawn chemicals to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems in pets.
• Children are especially at risk for negative health consequences due to their size, physiological development and proximity to the ground.
• Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers destroy the naturally present beneficial organisms in a healthy lawn’s ecosystem. This destruction then transforms your lawn into an increasingly needy “junkie,” requiring more and more chemicals to sustain it.
• Organic lawn care focuses instead on soil management techniques and long-term results, building up the nutrients and organisms in the soil in order to make your lawn better able to withstand drought, pests, and other common problems.
• Organic lawn care also eliminates damage to the environment and to human and animal health caused by synthetic lawn care products.
• Organic products function by building up “life in the soil,” or soil biology, their payoff is more long-term and lasting.
• Synthetic products, by their nature, are instantaneous and must be frequently reapplied in greater amounts to maintain the appearance of the grass. Due to the need for frequent reapplications and the reduced effectiveness of synthetic chemicals.
• The user of organic products will spend considerably less money on lawn care over a two-year period than the user of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Safe, inexpensive, Do-It-Yourself Organic Lawn Care Products

No expensive, difficult to use equipment needed.

The Organic Lawn Care Store

D-I-Y Organic Lawn Care Benefits

D-I-Y Organic Lawn Care Benefits

We will guide you through the D-I-Y (Do It Yourself) concepts of, problem solving, planning and organizing in a very cost-effective manner.  Conventional dethatching and aerating require heavy, expensive, and hard to use equipment that is available from rental centers or provided by commercial service contractors.  Our bio-enhanced organic lawn care products are safe and easy to use and vary cost effective.

Additional benefits:

• It builds patience and self-esteem.
• A Gallup survey reported the 62% of all US homeowners felt investment in lawns and landscaping were as good or better than other home improvements.  Proper and well maintained landscaping adds 15% to a home’s value.  The investment recovery rate is actually 100 – 200% for landscape improvement.

Non-Organic lawn care product Health Issues.

Decades of doing lawn care, the same way has produced many dangers to people, pets and the environment.  Its extraordinary how many health issues have been associated with pesticides.  Cancers, neurological problems, and birth defects are some of the most dramatic, but increased asthma attacks and skin disorders take a huge toll on the people affected. Pesticides are also increasingly suspected of being endocrine disrupters, a nasty category of chemicals that can cause a wide array of disorders from cancer to miscarriage to immune system problems.  Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database

• A report by the National Academy of Sciences shows that the health of 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 4 children are negatively impacted in some form by lawn pesticides.
• Children are especially at risk for negative health consequences due to their size, physiological development and proximity to the ground.  Children and Pesticides DON’T MIX
• Numerous studies link synthetic lawn chemicals to cancers and other long-term diseases
• The decades old use of chemical and synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides have nearly killed off the biolife in the soil.  Remember, soil is the soul of the lawn!  We stress the natural or organic lawn.  And how to develop and maintain it in a manner that is safe for you, your children, your pets, wildlife and the environment.

The Organic (Natural) Advantage

POSITIVE ASPECTS of the organic approach:

• Water insolubility provides for slow release
• Lawn benefits FULLY from each biological fertilizer application
• A biological fertilizer is a natural fertilizer
• No rapid growth spurt to deplete carbohydrate reserves
• Lawns remain more independent with strong root system
• Rate of aeration & decomposition is enhanced by adding beneficial micro-organisms.
• Little or no change in pH (no acidity increase)
• Earthworms and micro-organisms remain to maintain soil
• No health hazard to you, your family, your friends, your pets, or your lawn
• Bioactivates both clay and sandy soils and increases Organic Matter
• Buffers harsh chemical salts or chlorides left over from many commercial chemical fertilizers
• Provides carbon which feeds beneficial soil microbes
• Improves soil structure, soil biology and aeration
• Stimulates root growth and supports most plant functions
• Relieves soil compaction and breaks up clay soil improving drainage
• Unlocks and chelates major and minor nutrients. Reduces fertilizer needs.
• Improves plant’s ability to capture (fix) atmospheric nitrogen
• Prevents Thatch buildup and helps stimulate the decomposition of existing thatch
• Increases earthworm activity
• Makes iron and other nutrients more available to your lawn
• Improves plant resistance to drought, disease, insects and other stress
• Increases nutrient density in grasses
• Works as a catalyst for both soil regeneration and plant growth
• Liquid fertilizer, liquid aeration, liquid dethatcher and other organic products require no expensive, complicated equipment to apply.

Optimize your Soil for Your Grass

Adjust Soil pH

The soil pH should be adjusted during the lawns dormant time.  Soil amendments such as Aerify and Nature’s Magic tend to buffer pH so adjustment should be performed first.  For best overall results, adjust to your lawn turfs ideal pH. The Ideal pH is the level optimum for the beneficial microorganisms necessary for the particular turf. You can obtain an electronic pH tester at Lowe’s for under $10.00

Grass pH Ranges	pH Low	pH High	Ideal
BAHIAGRASS ARGENTINE, PENSACOLA, TIFTON	6.0	7.5	6.7 – 6.8
BENTGRASS COLONIAL & CREEPING	5.6	7.0	6.3
BERMUDA HYBRIDS & COMMON	5.6	7.0	6.3
BLUEGRASS	5.7	7.4	6.5 – 6.6
BUFFALO	5.6	7.0	6.3
CARPETGRASS	4.5	5.5	5.3
CENTIPEDE	4.3	5.8	5.0 – 5.1
FESCUE RED & CREEPING	5.6	6.8	6.2
FESCUE TALL	5.6	7.0	6.3
ST. AUGUSTINE	6.3	7.8	7.0 – 7.1
ZOYSIA	5.5	7.0	6.2 – 6.3

If your soil pH is grater then the ideal soil pH for your particular turf, apply chelated liquid lawn sulfur.  Liquid iron prevents iron chlorosis. Iron chlorosis is found where soils are highly alkaline. The high pH of the soil ties up the iron in the soil, making it unavailable to the plants. Iron is required for the formation of chlorophyll in plant cells and serves as an activator for respiration and photosynthesis.

An additional benefit of lower soil pH is in weed control. Most broad leaf weeds such as crabgrass do poorly in soil with a pH lower than 6.8.

If you want to lower soil pH, apply liquid sulfur. 5 ounce per 1,000 sq. ft. at 1 ounce per gallon hose end sprayer rate will lower pH by 0.6.

A healthy organic lawn is weed free, harmful insect free, less expensive to maintain, and healthier for you, your family, and the environment.

D-I-Y projects do provide you with many side benefits, but they often go unseen.

• Liquid lawn care products can be applied with a hose end sprayer. If you can water your lawn, you can aerate, dethatch, fertilize, adjust pH, treat weed and insect infestations and fight lawn diseases without expensive, heavy and complicated special equipment.
• Planning- Every successful DIY project is well planned. By performing D-I-Y projects, you inadvertently become a better planner in all aspects of your life.
• Organizing- Another requirement of most successful D-I-Y projects is organization. The skill to organize is a critical one in all walks of life and is gleaned from many a D-I-Y project.
• Problem solving- One of the greatest skills in life is the ability to solve problems. The end result of a D-I-Y project is a problem solved. The real gem of D-I-Y is the ability to tackle problems from different directions and develop multiple solutions to the challenge at hand.
• Frugality- Just doing-it-yourself is frugal, but the element of frugality goes deeper. In D-I-Y projects, one also learns to be frugal with materials, time, and effort.
• Patience- Most D-I-Y projects require a degree of patience. Patience is a virtue that can impact one’s life in many ways.
• Self-Esteem- Successful completion of a D-I-Y project build self-esteem, a natural rivaled by few other things in life. That feeling can be replicated in many parts of one’s life – personally and professionally a “Can-do!” attitude takes you far.

Therefore, the next time you tackle a D-I-Y project, remember, you are building more than just the project at hand, but your character as well.

Sue Stout

The Organic Lawn Care Store Tips, tricks, information and products

The organically maintained landscape

In natural systems, organic matter generally cycles in place, added to the soil through root and stem decay of winter killed annuals and leaf decay. A thriving microbial community digests and breaks down this organic matter to release nutrients back to the soil. Organic soil amendments may be needed to help balance the soils chemistry, stimulate its biology, and restore its physical composition. Such amendments may also be needed to feed turfgrass in a lawn, which has extraordinary nutrient needs because it is grown in an unnatural way, perpetually mowed and kept green as long as possible.

NPK and Inorganic Fertilizers

Lawn and landscape care methods, which directly feed the plant with synthetic nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) lead to damage to the soil and a weak root system, making the turfgrass or plants in the landscape more susceptible to insects, disease and drought. Over fertilizing the turfgrass or plant will also inhibit the development of mycorrhizae, a symbiotic fungi growing on or around the plant roots that help gather nutrients beyond the range of the root themselves. Eventually the soil structure collapses and becomes infertile.

Leaching

Like the negative end of a magnet, nitrogen in the form of nitrate is negatively charged and is not attracted to soil’s negatively charged clay and humus. Negatively charged clay repels negatively charged nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) so they will not be absorbed by the clay and are left to move down through the soil and into the groundwater, where streams and drinking water can become contaminated.

Reviving collapsed soil structure

To revive dead, compacted soil, it will necessary to apply compost and compost tea to improve and build soil life.

A well balanced soil fertility program that increases humus content, organic matter and beneficial microorganisms recycles nutrients, improves water retention, balances minerals and buffers PH. In addition to compost, organic matter (manure) and compost tea other amendments may be indicated based on soil test results. These include natural surfactants to aerate soil, root stimulants and developers, rock dust, secondary and micronutrients, flocculants, vitamins, beneficial microbes, enzymes, organic humus, fulvic acid, kelp or dextrose (Nature’s Magic, Aerify, 1-2-3 Instant Compost Tea, Super Compost Tea, Bio-Enhanced Liquid Dethatcher)

What is nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient because it is required to create amino acids and proteins, genetic material, chlorophyll and other important biochemical molecules. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere (78%) but the gaseous form (N2) is inert and unavailable for use by animals and most plants. Turning N2 into available nitrogen or “fixing” it, requires breaking the bond between the nitrogen atoms which requires energy. Under natural conditions nitrogen is fixed by lightning strikes through the atmosphere and by the work of a few species of symbiotic bacteria and some free-living bacteria and fungi in the soil or water. As part of the symbiotic relationship, the plant subsequently converts the ammonium ion to nitrogen oxides and amino acids to form proteins and other biologically useful molecules, such as alkaloids. In return for the usable (fixed) nitrogen, the plant secretes sugars to the symbiotic bacteria.

What is Phosphorous? (P)

Phosphorous, in the form of phosphate, is an essential macronutrient – it is a vital part of the cellular energy transfer. Phosphorous is added to soils in natural systems by rock weathering. Leaching and runoff removes phosphorous from the soils, where it is carried to aquatic systems like aquifers, streams, lakes and bays. In fresh water aquatic systems excess phosphorous can substantially increase plant productivity and lead to eutrophic conditions (lack of oxygen), causing increased phytoplankton and bacterial growth, loss of dissolved oxygen and loss of animal life in the system.

What is Potassium? (K)

It is primarily used in fertilizers as either the chloride, sulfate or carbonate – not as the oxide. Potassium is an essential component needed in plant growth and is found in most soil types. Potassium has two roles in the functioning of plant cells. First, it has an irreplaceable part to play in the activation of enzymes which are fundamental to metabolic processes, especially the production of proteins and sugars. Only small amounts of potassium are required for this biochemical function.

Second, potassium is the “plant-preferred” ion for maintaining the water content and hence the turgor (rigidity) of each cell, a biophysical role. A large concentration of potassium in the cell sap creates conditions that cause water to move into the cell (osmosis) through the porous cell wall. Turgid cells maintain the leaf’s vigor so that photosynthesis proceeds efficiently.

Plants are apparently unable to regulate the uptake of potassium; and if the soil supply is high enough, so-called luxury consumption may result. Under such conditions, the high potassium content in the grass plant may cause an excessive amount of stiffness in the stems and leaves as well as other undesirable or harmful effects.

NPK note: Commercial preparations of fertilizers have a somewhat misleading labeling system. It is often said that the three main numbers listed is the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in the product. This is NOT the case. You must read the label carefully. If you read carefully, you will find that the last number is the percentage of Soluble Potash – NOT Potassium – expressed as K2O.

THE MYSTERY RATIO by Paul Tukey — Here’s something you won’t hear from most soil testing agencies outside of the Soil Food Web: The relationship between calcium and magnesium is among the most important in lawn care.

For years, especially in the East where soils are inherently acidic, folks have applied limestone to raise the pH. Often times, that limestone has been dolomitic in nature, meaning it contains a high percentage of the heavy metal magnesium. Although soils do need magnesium to grow grass, too much magnesium will leave soils overly compacted. The result is often a high percentage of weeds.

If your soil test result from the Cooperative Extension Service tells you to add limestone at a specific rate, you will usually be better off adding high-calcium or “calcitic” limestone rather than dolomitic limestone. In soil, the ideal ratio is seven times more calcium than magnesium. Since calcium moves through the soil slowly, it is almost impossible to add too much

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Centipede Lawn Decline

Centipede Decline

Mature Centipede grass lawns (3 or more years old) problem areas sometimes appear in the spring and grow worse throughout the summer. These problem areas usually develop in thatchy turf, compacted soils, drought areas or areas under other stresses. Since a specific disease organism has not been identified as the cause, the problem has been broadly named “Centipede decline” and is used to describe the most common problems observed on Centipede grass. These include dollar spot, large patch, fairy rings, nematodes, ground pearls and nutritional problems.

Symptoms:  the grass gradually deteriorates and is replaced by weeds or other invasive grasses. The grass often greens up in early spring, but gradually turns off color, wilts and dies. These areas resemble Centipedegrass suffering from drought conditions.

Examination of the turf in these areas reveals little root development. Many of the stolons, or runners, have no root attachment to the soil. Some small discolored roots may be found in the thatch, or the organic layer. The grass may be dead in the center of the discolored area with often dark green, leaves radiating into the healthy grass.

Dollar Spot is a disease that is often seen on Centipede grass during the summer. The symptoms of this disease are light brown spots 2 to 4 inches in diameter. It does not appear to cause serious damage. Centipede grass that is declining because of other factors may have more dollar spot than nearby healthy grass. The grass may continue to decline in the affected patches, especially in dry weather, for a long time after the disease activity has stopped.

Dollar Spot

Fairy Rings:  Fairy ring symptoms are large circular dead spots, dead rings, or green rings (3 to 20 feet in diameter) that enlarge for several years. Mushrooms of the fungi that cause this disease may be present at the edge of the rings or throughout the circles sometime during the year. Mushrooms may not develop for several years and suddenly appear following a weather pattern that induces mushroom development. Effective treatments are not known for fairy rings in lawns, however, rototilling the soil and replanting healthy grass has eliminated the problem in some cases.  Note:  Mushrooms not in a circular pattern are not a sign of Fairy ring.  Mushrooms often develop over dead tree roots as part of the decomposition process.

Fairy Rings

Sting Nematodes have been associated with the decline in sandy soils in some cases. The sting nematode has been shown to cause very serious damage on Centipedegrass in sandy soils in the Carolinas. Centipede grass affected by this nematode will become thin and even die during hot-dry weather. Incorporation of organic matter in the soil may help overcome nematode damage; however, care must be taken to avoid too much nitrogen being released for Centipede grass.

Ground Pearls are small scale insects that attack the roots of Centipede grass and may cause circular dead areas that resemble fairy ring. The spots enlarge each year and only weeds grow in the spots. Ground pearls are identified by the presence of small pearl-like bodies on the roots or in the soil. The pink adult stage that crawls is present during early summer. A control is not know for the ground pearls. Other types of grass, such as Bermuda grass or Bahia grass, appear to be less sensitive to ground pearls and should be considered for lawns with severe ground pearl problems.

Ground Pearls

Nutritional factors, including low potassium levels in sandy soils, high phosphorus levels, the use of too much nitrogen fertilizer, and low or high soil pH (5.5 is best) have been associated with the problem. High soil pH will cause Centipede grass to turn bright yellow, especially in the spring, due to iron deficiency (iron chlorosis). High phosphorus levels can increase iron chlorosis since it can replace iron in the plant. The use of fertilizers high in phosphorus may contribute to the decline of Centipede grass.  High nitrogen caused the stolons to be above the soil where they are more susceptible to damage by cold weather. More centipede decline usually occurs in the spring and summer following very cold winters or following winters with unusually warm weather and then late cold periods. Excess nitrogen reduces cold and drought tolerance of Centipede grass.   Potassium may help to reduce stress during the summer and winter.

Centipede grass is not very drought tolerant and is damaged during very dry weather. Irrigation when needed will help reduce damage from drought stress. Localized dry spots of soil that are hydrophobic (difficult to wet) have been associated with declining patches of Centipede grass. The soil in these patches needs extra aeration.

The use of chemical/synthetic herbicides (as sprays or in fertilizers) has been associated with the decline problem.  Once a good stand of Centipede grass is established, weeds usually are not a problem because of the allopathic activities that Centipede grass has against other plants. Therefore, herbicides should not be needed on Centipede grass if it is managed properly.

Centipede grass is not very shade-tolerant and does not grow well under trees with dense foliage. Root competition from nearby trees may increase drought stress and sometimes causes fairy ring-like symptoms. The landscape should be redesigned to use mulch or shade-tolerant groundcover plants in these areas if the trees cannot be removed.

Centipede grass will usually spread over dead areas more rapidly if the old grass is removed and the soil loosened (aerated). New sprigs or over seeding in the areas will facilitate faster recovery.

Control: Cultural practices provide the most effective means of preventing centipede decline.

Steve

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Why should you switch to organic lawn care?

What are the Benefits?

• It is safer for humans, pets and the environment than synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
• It improves the quality of the soil, which will have an increased ability to retain water and nutrients.
• You will enjoy significant financial savings by transitioning from synthetic to organiclawn care, especially after the first year of use.
• Organic products will significantly reduce pests by restoring balance to your lawn’s ecosystem. You will benefit from reduced maintenance in mowing, watering and fertilizing because you will have a naturally stronger and healthier lawn.
• A report by the National Academy of Sciences shows that the health of 1 in 7 people is negatively impacted in some form by lawn pesticides.
• Numerous studies link lawn chemicals to cancers and other long-term diseases.
• Several studies also link exposure to artificial lawn chemicalsto an increased risk of cancer and other health problems in pets.
• Children are especially at risk for negative health consequences due to their size, physiological development and proximity to the ground.
• Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers destroy the naturally present beneficial organisms in a healthy lawn’s ecosystem. This destruction then transforms your lawn into an increasingly needy “junkie,” requiring more and more chemicals to sustain it.
• Organic lawn care focuses instead on soil management techniquesand long-term results, building up the nutrients and organisms in the soil in order to make your lawn better able to withstand drought, pests, and other common problems.
• Organic lawn care also eliminates damage to the environment and to human and animal health caused by synthetic lawn care products.
• Organic products function by building up “life in the soil,” or soil biology, their payoff is more long-term and lasting.
• Synthetic products, by their nature, are instantaneous and must be frequently reapplied in greater amounts to maintain the appearance of the grass. Due to the need for frequent reapplications and the reduced effectiveness of synthetic chemicals.
• The user of organic products will spend considerably less money on lawn care over a two-year period than the user of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Steve

Visit our site