REDUCE PESTICIDE CAMPAIGN
Is Your Lawn Hooked on Chemicals ?
Signs that your lawn has developed a chemical dependency:
- yellow patches
- bare spots / thinly-covered areas
- generally unhealthy appearance
- problems with thatch
- requires frequent watering
- susceptible to pests & diseases
- depleted soil nutrients
- low level of biological activity
Why chemicals are causing these problems:
- Fertilizers used in commercial lawn-care preparations commonly contain only 3 macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium & nitrogen), which feed the grass but do nothing for the soil needed to support a healthy lawn. Because necessary micronutrients are missing, root systems will be shallow and grass will be able to absorb water only near the surface.
- Chemical pesticides used to control weeds, insects and fungi must be re-applied several times over the growing season because they are not effective over the long term, and pest species quickly become resistant to concentrations used.
- Beneficial organisms like earthworms, nematodes, healthy bacteria and rich organic matter are destroyed by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This leaves your lawn prey to damaging infestations of grubs, crabgrass and fairy rings.
The results of chemical dependency are nutrient imbalance, pest outbreaks and soil sterilization.
BREAK THE HABIT! REVIVE YOUR LAWN!
Return Nutrients to the Soil
- Use natural, organic materials like finished compost and well-aged manure.
- These can be supplemented by slow-release, organic fertilizers like Genesis or Ecoval in late summer and early fall.
- You can boost your soil’s fertility 30% by adding small amounts of grass clippings throughout the summer.
NOTE: If your lawn has been chemically dependent, do not leave grass clippings on the lawn or in your composter for at least a year.
Aerate Your Lawn
- This is important for water storage and air exchange at the root level, and is recommended just before fertilizing.
NOTE: Aeration is best done in late May or early June, to avoid dispersion of weed seeds, as these tend to germinate and grow in aeration holes.
Overseed Your Lawn
- At least once a year (late August to late September), add new seed to your grass.
- densely-sown lawn will crowd out weeds like dandelions and crabgrass.
- Choosing indigenous grass types (e.g., perennial ryes and fine fescues) helps a lawn recover more quickly from stresses like drought, pest outbreaks, foot traffic and diseases.
Mow High
- Grass that is 3” long will shade out sun-dependent weeds and will encourage root development among grass seedlings.
Water Deep
- One weekly watering is adequate for an established, healthy lawn, so long as the water reaches a depth of at least 1”.
- Watering is best done early in the morning.
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