An
expanse of turf maintained to golf course standards has become the
image of the ideal American lawn. How our yards look is important. But
how important?
How
our yards look is important. But how important? Important enough to use
chemicals that warn us to keep off the grass for 24 hours? Chemicals
that may cling to the grass and plants longer than this period?
Chemicals that have been shown to cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness,
nausea, birth defects, learning difficulties, reproductive problems...
cancer?
Reasons to cut out the chemicals:
- Pesticides are harmful to human health and the environment.
- Pesticides can reduce the biological activity in the soil, resulting in slowed natural decomposition and leading to thatch.
- Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers will kill or drive away beneficial organisms in the soil and yard.
- Pesticides
and synthetic fertilizers can runoff our yards and enter local
waterways (our source for summer fun and drinking water).
- Grass should be a safe place for children, pets, and bare feet.
- A healthy lawn does not need them.
To learn about the Michigan Pesticide Notification Registry and proposed changes click here
Create a lush lawn and garden with these easy tips:
• Wise Watering
- Turn on sprinklers or set timers to water between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Water deeply and only when needed (every few days, not every day).
- Cancel a scheduled watering if a recent rainfall has occurred.
- If a fertilizer has just been applied, only water the lawn lightly.
Watering
prevents the grass from becoming dormant during summer's high
temperatures. Proper watering ensures a denser lawn and allows the turf
to compete more effectively with weeds. A healthy lawn will also reduce
pest problems.
Watering should take place before
intense sunlight causes too much water to be lost to evaporation.
Watering in the early evenings will leave the lawn damp all night, and
may increase the lawns susceptibility to fungus and molds. Deep
watering encourages deep root growth. However, when fertilizer has just
been applied it is better to water lightly to prevent the fertilizer
from leaching past the root zone, where it will not be usefull to the
grass.
• Lawn Mowing Tricks That Make Turf Tough
- Let it grow - mow high
- Set mower blades to 3 inches.
- Growing your lawn taller is an excellent way to reduce herbicide use.
- Tall grass:
- Is more stress tolerant, which is especially important during the intense summer heat.
- Has a larger root structure, which increases uptake of water and nutrients.
- Provides shade, reducing weed seed germination, particularly crab grass.
- Twice a year - mow low
- Twice a year your lawn should be cut to a height of 2 inches.
- The
first cut in the spring and the last cut in the fall should be low. In
the spring this removes any winter fungus and in the fall prevents
fungus from getting established during the winter.
- Give The Grass a Clean Cut
- Keep your mower blade sharp.
- Mow when the grass is dry.
- Mow in the cool part of the afternoon or evening.
- Mowing
when the grass is wet or with a dull blade can cause the tip of the
grass to shred, giving the lawn a brown appearance as the tips dry out,
and making the grass more susceptible to disease. Cutting the grass in
the intense heat can cause stress to the plant.
- Mulch Clippings
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn.
- Mulching
reduces the need for fertilizer since important plant nutrients are
returned to the soil. A mulching mower circulates the grass clippings
in the mowing chamber to produce smaller clippings which break down
more easily.
View Lawn Mowing Tricks for Tough Turf
• Fertilize
- Test your soil
- Use a non-synthetic slow release fertilizer
- Fertilize twice a year, once in May or June and once in September or October
- Brush fertilizer that falls onto driveway and sidewalk back onto the lawn.
Properly conditioned soil provides vital nutrients to plants, retains water, and supports many micro-organisms and insects. All of these elements are important to growing a healthy lawn. A soil test kit (available at hardware or gardening stores) or a soil test provided by a lawn company, will tell you what nutrients your soil requires. Only add the necessary nutrients. Mulching decreases the number of fertilizer applications required, as the grass clippings nourish the soil. In the fall, the grass has stopped significant blade growth, but has increased storage of food in the roots. Fertilizing in the fall will promote fast green-up in the spring and delay the need for spring fertilization. If any fertilizer falls on the driveway, street, or any other impervious surface, brush it back onto the lawn where it can be used. Otherwise, the fertilizer will be washed immediately into the storm drains.
View Zero Phosphorus, Organic Fertilizer Options
• Aerate
- Let the lawn breathe
- Aerate the lawn in spring or early fall.
- Leave pulled plugs on the soil surface.
Aeration
is the removal of plugs of soil,which allows oxygen to reach the soil
and promotes root growth, proper drainage, and loose soil. Aeration
also helps prevent thatch build up of plant material between the
green vegetation and the soil surface. By using non-synthetic
fertilizers and eliminating the use of chemical pesticides, you will
encourage beneficial micro-organisms and earthworms to inhabit the
soil. These organisms will naturally create air pockets in the lawn.
You can also hire a lawn service or use a core aeration machine. The
machine will remove tiny plugs of soil. Leaving the plugs on the soil
surface to break down naturally provides the soil and lawn with
nutrients.
• Weed Control
- Over-seed the lawn in the spring.
- Pull weeds by hand, or use a fish-tail weeder.
- Spot treat weeds with an equal mix of vinegar and water.
- Reseed bare areas where weeds have been pulled.
Overseeding
will crowd out competing weeds and ensure a thick, lush lawn. To have a
virtually weed-free garden, pull visible weeds before they go to seed,
or spot treat by spraying a mix of water and vinegar at the root of the
plant. The plant will turn brown and can then be removed. Some weeds,
such as dandelions, have a strong root system. Be sure to remove as
much of the root as you can. Moistening or lightly watering the soil
will make weeds easier to pull. When a weed has been pulled by hand a
bare spot may remain where weed seeds can germinate. Deter weeds from
moving into this space by seeding with grass. And remember, no yard is
ever completely weed free.
View Natural Weed and Pest Control Brands
• Pest Control
- Plant shrubs to attract bug-eating birds.
- Employ beneficial insects.
- Use non-toxic pest control products.
Birds
and beneficial insects help keep pests under control. Attract birds by
planting suitable shrubs and trees, or by providing a bird bath or bird
house. Beneficial insects, including ladybugs and green lacewings, can
be purchased at garden stores.
Many non-toxic products, such as hot
pepper and canola spray oil can be used to rid your garden and yard of
pests. These products are available at garden stores and through on
line or mail order catalogs.
View Natural Weed and Pest Control Brands
• Grub Control
Use nemotodes in the spring to control grubs in the larval stage.
The
Japanese beetle grub and European beetle grub are common concerns.
Grubs feed on the roots of grass plants and can cause significant
damage leading to brown patches in your lawn. Many companies will rid a
lawn of this pest by spraying an insecticide over the entire yard.
A
safer, effective way to rid a yard of grubs is by using nematodes,
naturally occurring microscopic worms that kill root-eating grubs in
the larval stage. Nematodes are not harmful to humans, pets, or plants.
They are available online or through mail order catalogs. In early
spring, peel back a one foot square section of turf. Search for the
grubs and if found in large quantities order an application of
nematodes.
View Pest Patrol:Grubs
• Hiring a Lawn Care Company
Maintaining
a lawn can take a lot of work. Some people may prefer to hire a company
to mow the lawn on a regular basis, or to fertilize and rid their lawn
of weeds.
Explain to your lawn mowing service that
you would like the grass clippings mulched and the height of the grass
should be between 3 to 3 1/2 inches. Ask the company how often they
sharpen their mower blades and if they can reschedule the service if it
has just rained, so as not to cut the grass when it is wet.
When
hiring a service to fertilize and keep your yard weed-free, ask which
products they use. Specify that you would like them to only use
non-synthetic, slow-release fertilizers. Many companies, when asked,
can provide this service. If your company cannot, consider calling
another company. A lawn care company should be able to provide you with
information on the products they use. Be sure to read product labels
and Material Safety Data Sheets of the products used on your
lawn.
Listing of companies that provide Natural Lawn Care services
• LMG Articles of Interest - Healthy Living Library
- Natural Lawn & Garden Service Providers
, May 2012
- New Fertilizer Law Protects Lakes, April 2012
- Disrupted Development: Protection Against Endocrine Disruptors, Part Two, February 2012
- Disrupted Development: Endocrine Disruptors and Our Health, Part One, February 2012
- Michigan Pesticide Notification Registry, January 2012
- On the Brink: Nanotechnology as Pest Control, October 2011
- Pet Peeves: The Summer Months Can Bring Hazards to Animals, July 2011
- Pesticide Notification Registry, Fall 2010
- Pesticides: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, Summer 10
- Lawn Sign Update, Spring 08
- Safe Lawns: National Mall Goes Organic, Spring 08
- Lake-Friendly Fertilizers, Spring 08
- Garden Products Recall, Spring 08
- Spring Checklist for a Healthy Yard, Spring 07
- Home Pesticide Use and Breast Cancer, Spring 07
- Pest Patrol: Grubs, Summer 06
- Leads to Lake, Summer 05
- Organophosphates in Your Garage?, Winter 05
- The Answer to Organophosphates, Winter 05
- Grandpa’s Pesticides, Winter 05
- Hiring Hints, Winter 05
- Progressive Pesticide Policies, June 04
- Lawn Chemicals Linked to Cancer in Dogs, June 04
- Green Golf, June 04
- Is That Your Natural Color?, August 03
• Links
Learn more about pesticides, their potential health effects and state legislation regarding pesticides.
Videos
For helpful lawn & garden maintenance tips and information about pesticides and their dangers, 
