Ask a Professional
Horticulture/turf/grass expert
Q. How can I maintain my lawn without the use of pesticides ?
A. Generally speaking, fertilizers in the past have been designed to force plant growth without concern for the soil in which the plant grows. Think of your lawn as thousands of individual plants. If you provide the proper nutirents to the soil the plant will look after itself. To control weeds naturally you can use a fertilizer called "Corn Gluten". Testing at Iowa State University has shown this product can prevent weed germination up to 60% the first year it is applied and 80% the second year. This product is applied with a fertilizer spreader in early spring and again in late summer. For fertility you can suppliment your turf with almost any organic matter, personally I prefer a product made by Harmony Products. The basic theory is the more organic matter you add to your soil, the more microbial action you will get. Microbe's aid in the transfer of nutrients between the soil and the plant. By spacing applications 6-8 weeks apart you will have a healthy soil which means a! healthy lawn.
For more information try entering "Corn Gluten" in your search engine or go to www.harmonyproducts.com
Q. What is the difference between Organic and Natural fertilizers ?
A. If a product contains any synthetic material or the material has been changed in any chemical manner it cannot bear these words on the label. An Organic fertilizer can only be derived from either Pland or Animal material, manures, kelps etc. A Natural fertilizer may be dervied from these same sources and may also contain materials that are directly mined from the earth. A Natural fertilizer generally is a better choice for a home lawn as it is usually a more complete and balanced fertilizer. If a product contains these features and is mixed with convetional fertilizer it can state that it is Organic/Natural Based.
Q. How harmful are pesticides to my children and pets ?
A. In Canada the pesticides available go through extreme testing. With today's technology the new products available are much safer than those used in the past. Most claims that pesticdes cause cancer or other problems with children cannot be proven. 2-4,D used in home lawns is one of the most tested chemicals in the world and has many uses other that as a lawn chemicals. Oddly, Phenol a major pesticide component is found as a component in most throat sprays for cough's, used in the production of plywood, mouthwashes etc. Pesticide opponents commonly have backyard swimming pools not knowing that the chemicals they put in them weekly are registered pesticides, albeit safe ones. As an Industry, the chemical manufactures are stopping production of the older pesticides in favor of the new generation products. Remember, if a lawn care applicator applies these products to 30 lawns a day, five days a week, 8 months a year and has no ill effects, one or two applications a year ! on your own lawn should not be harmfull when used as directed. Allow the products to fully dry on the lawn before allowing your kids and pets back outside.
Q. What are "Bio-pesticides" ?
A. This is a new generation of Organic or Natural products
that may have either herbicidal, fungal or pesticide properties naturally occuring in
them. One of the most recent and promising Bio is fermented Salmon. It has been found that
fermented salmon have low levels of acetic acid (Vinigar). In low repeated doses this can
kill weeds. There are also many turf disease's that are being tested for resistance
through the application of these natural products. In the future we can expect to see more
of these products come to market.
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