Clay Shampoo. Why bother?
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Be Green, Truly Green: 11 easy tips for an organic lawn
Yesterday, April 22 was the celebratioin of 39th Earth Day and media is
flooded with zillion of green tips. Before delving into this sea of
tips, it maybe good time to reflect on how far you have already gone
to become environment-friendly or, as it is popular to call it now,
green. Ponder, about how close you've grown to Nature in all aspects
of your everyday life: in your food, in your beauty products and in
your driving habits. Celebrate your progress first, and then think
about what else you can do for the Earth and yourself!.
In this short article I want talk about what I think is the most
important green move after organic beauty care and organic food. It's
about what most of us have - the lawns on our property.. Green and
lush and what you (or your favorite landscaping company) put on your
lawn to give it this beautiful emerald green hue you are so proud
of. The media often presents being green as doing the Earth a favor,
being utterly altruistic. In truth, if you consider that you live on
this beautiful planet, nothing could be more selfish -in an
extraordinarily good way- than switching from being polluting to being
green. Saving the planet means saving yourself, it's a win-win
situation! So start with your lawn, it's important for you, for the
kids, for the honeybees and for the Earth.
Green lawn, healthy family
In most of the western world, a sparkling green spotless lawn is the
symbol of an impeccable and successful family, like the white picket
fences have become a symbol of property ownership. Both are key
components of the American dream. Then, maybe it is time to reevaluate
the real price of the symbols of success in America. Why? Because
behind this impeccable green lawn are utterly toxic chemicals! After
all a green lawn isn't green at all, in fact many of them are toxic.
What about yours?
Despite the multitude of scientific proofs, demonstrating the
devastating effects of pesticides on our health (cancer and
infertility among others), our children health (ADHD and autism) and
honeybees (colony collapse disease), people continue to use these
highly toxic chemicals on their lawns to make them shining green. One
argument we often hear is that it's OK to use them, as they are pretty
much the same as those used for farming and homeowners only need to
cover small areas. And this is true, these toxic pesticides are indeed
mostly the same as the ones used in conventional farming. But what
most people ignore is that on lawns these pesticides are applied in
much higher concentrations, than on crops. Each and every year,
homeowners apply 90 million pounds of pesticides on their lawns, and
that's not counting golf courses! For your own sake, your kids' health
and your pets' health and to save the honeybees that pollinate staple
crops, please have a second look at what makes your lawn so green, so
sickly green. And while at it, maybe ask your golf course to go green
as well - truly green.
Keep away from pesticides, they're bad for everyone.
11 tips for a vibrantly green organic lawn
The organic lawn is not a ton of work-it really isn't-but it requires
more understanding. says Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual. Organic lawn care is a safe, effective and responsible
alternative to pesticides, herbicides and commercial
fertilizers. Advanced organic products can be used to support truly
healthy and vibrantly green and safe lawn. Below are a few helpful
tips to start and maintain your organic lawn if you are not there yet:
- Mow high. This is one of the most crucial steps you can take to
improve the health of your lawn. A lawn mowed high strengthens the
grass by providing shade to the roots, and preventing drying of the
roots. Moreover, longer grass blades discourage invasion by weeds and
insects. Set your mower at 2.5-3". Leave clippings on the lawn for
natural fertilization.
- Use high quality organic fertilizer that provide vital nutrients
without "salting and drying" the grass and soil. They support the
plant's health and growth and help fight off pests and disease.
- Apply liquid seaweed, which is loaded with trace elements like
iron, zinc and magnesium to support plant health and root development
and help fight off fungal diseases.
- Water early as late watering encourages fungal invasion unless the
weather is really hot. Be conservative as we collectively use up to 7
billion gallons of water a day on landscape irrigation, a third of
all residential usage. Up to half of it is wasted due to evaporation,
wind and overwatering...
- Control weeds naturally. Improving lawn health will greatly reduce
weeds as grass can better compete against aggressive weeds. Weeds can
be removed by hands or you can use quality organic products to control
safely them without intoxicating your lawn.
- Thatch or rake and aerate. Thatch is compacted dead grass and grass clipping which interfere with water reaching the roots. Aeration removes pugs of dirt, helps increase water retention and supports air circulation to grass roots.
- Control bugs naturally. Your best friends are birds as they eat up bugs. So provide a birdbath and bird houses to welcome them. There are many other ways to efficiently control bugs. Look at our resources at the end of this article.
- Overseed. Sprinkle grass seeds in the Spring and Fall. This will
help fill in bare spots and choke out weeds.
- Check your soil pH and add Lime or Sulfur if needed.
- Use compost! This is the best way to treat your lawn with an
organic makeover as it fortifies the soil and keeps your plants
healthy. Do it once or twice a year, June to August. If you cannot
produce your own compost, buy horse, cow or chicken manure and spread
it as a topdress.
- Use native plants, which are more adapted to your area, easier to maintain and more resistant.
Enjoy the Spring and your kids and pets playing safely in the yard!
Happy Earth Day!
Resources
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