Why Reduce Common Sense
Synthetic Alternatives to
Chemical Use? Synthetic Pesticides
Prune correctly for vigorous
Your Environment trees and shrubs.
鈥? Excess fertilizer and pesticides run off into our
鈥? Prune and cut off dead and diseased branches.
rivers and the Long Island Sound.
鈥? An improper cut, cutting too much or at the
鈥? Synthetic pesticides are used to kill living
wrong time, will weaken the plants.
organisms. These include weedkillers,
insecticides, rodenticides and fungicides.
Protect the tender bark and
鈥? Petroleum-based fertilizers force abnormal growth
roots of your plants.
at the expense of plant health.
鈥? Avoid injury due to yard work, such as shoveling
鈥? Some synthetic pesticides kill birds and beneficial
and mowing.
Organic insects as well as the pest, sometimes inviting
鈥? Wounds are entry points for insects and disease.
even larger infestations later on.
鈥? Routine or unnecessary spraying can cause
Woolly Adelgids
organisms to become resistant to pesticides,
Land Care 鈥? Hemlock trees are susceptible to infestations.
making future infestations more difficult to control.
鈥? Apply dormant oil in early April. Spray
thoroughly to cover all branches.
Your Children and Yourself
鈥? If necessary, spray again in early June, but avoid
In a review of case-control studies and case reports,
nesting birds.
childhood cancers linked to pesticides include:
鈥? A small, black ladybug from Japan has been
leukemia, brain cancer, Wilm鈥檚 tumor, soft-tissue
released in parts of Connecticut as a predator of
sarcoma, Ewing鈥檚 sarcoma, non-Hodgkin鈥檚
the adelgid. If these become established and are
lymphona, and cancers of the colorectum and testes.
effective, the adelgid may be controlled naturally.
(Environ Health Perspectives 106 (Suppl. 3):893-908)
Insecticides will kill these ladybugs and prevent
Non-Hodgkin鈥檚 Type Lymphoma (the second fastest- this natural balance from occurring.
growing cancer in the U.S.) has repeatedly been
Gypsy Moths
associated with use of the weedkiller, 2,4-D in
studies in the U.S., Canada and Sweden.
鈥? They have been controlled naturally since 1991
(Rachel鈥檚 Environmental Health Weekly #250) by a parasitic fungus.
Eastern Tent Caterpillars
Your Pets
鈥? Black Cherry trees, or genus Prunus, are
Dogs whose owners used the common weedkiller,
susceptible to infestations.
2,4-D, on their lawn were twice as likely to die of
鈥? Learn to identify egg masses and remove them in
cancer.
winter before they hatch.
(J. Nat Cancer Inst., Vol. 83: 1226-31)
(203) 888-5146 鈥? Nests can be easily removed by hand.
www.organiclandcare.net Black Vine Weevils
Box 135, Stevenson, CT 06491 鈥? Apply nematodes, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora.
鈥? Obtain healthy nematodes from a reputable
source and use them under proper conditions.
Permission to Copy 鈥? Please Distribute! 鈥? For details, call the Connecticut Agricultural
Experiment Station (CAES) at (203) 974-8600.
Land Care Includes
鈥? Use no more than 125 lbs. of lime/1000 sq. ft.
White Grubs every 6 months.
All Ground Cover,
鈥? If you live in Connecticut, have grubs or any 鈥? If your soil has a low pH and high magnesium
other insects identified for free by the CAES.
Beds, Trees & Shrubs
levels, use only calcitic lime, which is lower in
鈥? Milky Spore may be used for Japanese and Oriental magnesium than dolomitic lime.
Choose your plants carefully.
Beetle grubs, but it spreads slowly in our climate.
Landscapes Can
鈥? The nematode Steinernema scarabaei, which will 鈥? Don鈥檛 just plant trees, plant ecosystems! Plant
Become Addicted
be commercially available soon, has shown groupings of several species that are compatible.
promise in controlling white grubs. Contact CAES
鈥? Select well-grown and insect/disease-resistant
to Routine
for more information.
plant varieties.
Applications of 鈥? Choose native plants that have adapted to our
Lawn Establishment climate and conditions.
Synthetic Chemicals
and Renovation. 鈥? Consider sunlight, soil and water requirements of
the species you plant.
鈥? Stop! Go cold turkey! The lawn is probably
鈥? Your lawn needs to be renovated if the thatch addicted and may show withdrawal symptoms. 鈥? Grass is not suitable for many situations. It
layer is thicker than 1/2 inch.
requires lots of sun, water and good soil and is
鈥? Pesticides kill the beneficial organisms in your soil.
鈥? Renovation and seeding are best done in the fall. one the highest maintenance plants we can grow.
It will take some time to re-establish a balance.
鈥? Plant only as much lawn as you need and only 鈥? Consider other groundcovers that require less
鈥? Thatch is a mat of dead roots and stems that
where it will grow well. maintenance and are more suitable for your site.
accumulates at the surface. Excessive thatch is
鈥? A diversity of other plants can be used to improve caused by quick-release nitrogen fertilizer, poor
Test your soil.
the overall beauty and quality of your lawn. mowing and watering habits, and low microbial
鈥? Fertilization and liming should ALWAYS follow
activity.
When seeding a lawn, use a certified the soil test recommendations.
鈥? Excessive thatch blocks the growth of healthy grass
鈥? Request organic recommendations.
first class grass seed. and provides a medium for insect pests to live. If
the thatch is greater than 1/2 inch, dethatch. 鈥? Test the soil before landscaping and every two to
鈥? Carefully chooses a grass seed blend that is three years.
鈥? Start the conversion from a chemical to an
compatible with the growing conditions and is
鈥? The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
organic lawn with an application of 1/4 inch of
high in endophytic fungi, which deter certain
provides free soil analysis for CT residents.
good quality organic compost. This application
surface-feeding insects.
can be made in combination with core aeration 鈥? UMass and UConn also offer soil analysis for a
Endophytic fungi are toxic to some livestock an which cuts through the thatch and allows air and small fee.
should not be used where the grasses can be water to penetrate the soil below.
鈥? Request the percentage of organic matter in the
foraged.
鈥? Once you start an organic program, be patient, sample. It should be 3.5% or more.
鈥? Including clover in your seed will provide your you will soon see results.
Fertilize with compost.
lawn with nitrogen.
References
鈥? Seed or overseed in the fall. 鈥? Compost is the best source of minerals, nutrients
(some may not be exclusively organic) and beneficial organisms.
Set your mower to a height of 3 inches. 鈥? Handbook of Successful Ecological Lawn Care 鈥? Make your own compost, or buy commercial
compost, but find out as much as you can about
by Paul Sachs of North Country Organics
鈥? Keep the mower operating properly and the
what is in it and how it is made.
blades sharp. 鈥? The Chemical Free Lawn by Warren Schultz
鈥? If your soil test indicates a high level of phosphorus,
(Rodale Press)
鈥? Only remove 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
consider using a compost tea (aerobically
鈥? Building a Healthy Lawn by Stuart Franklin
鈥? Leaving the grass clippings on your lawn will fermented water extract of compost) to add
(Garden Way Publishing)
provide it with 40% of the nutrients it needs. beneficial organisms without overloading nutrients.
鈥? Organic Soil Fertility Management
鈥? DO cut grass shorter in the late fall for easier fall 鈥? Compost can be applied any time, but spring and
by Steve Gilman (Chelsea Green Press)
cleanup. late summer applications are preferred.
鈥? Weeds and What They Tell by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer 鈥? If you use mixed organic fertilizer, read the list of
Apply lime only based upon (Rodale Press) ingredients in the brochure to determine the real
soil test recommendations. content. Fertilizers advertised as 鈥榦rganic鈥? may include
鈥? Start with the Soil by Grace Gershuny
the following ingredients, which are NOT endorsed
(Rodale Press)
鈥? The ideal soil pH for a lawn is 6.3 - 6.8.
by most organic food certification programs:
What Is Organic
* non-natural ingredients like super-phosphate.
NOFA Organic
隆
* harmful natural ingredients like 鈥榥atural nitrite of
Land Care? Land Care
soda鈥?, which causes salt buildup.
* sewage sludge, which may contain harmful 鈥? Organic Land Care develops an attractive, safe, and
Publications and
contaminants. useful landscape, using appropriate methods and
Membership
materials chosen to respect the natural ecology of the
鈥? Use mixed organic fertilizers only in the early
spring and fall. Follow the recommendations of the land and the long-term health of the environment. No
soil test. synthetic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are used.
u Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for
鈥? Healthy soils, containing billions of interdependent
Water only when needed. Design and Maintenance of Ecological
organisms from earthworms to microscopic
Landscapes
鈥? Avoid frequent, shallow watering that encourages bacteria, yield plants that are healthier and pest
Japanese beetle grub infestation, fungus and root rot. $20 each plus $3 S&H,
resistant, and thus require less maintenance.
鈥? Know the cultural requirements of your plants. $12.50 each for 10 or more, plus S&H
鈥? NOFA has developed an accreditation program for
鈥? If the lawn is wet overnight with dew, allow it to land care professionals. Those who successfully
u Citizens Guide to Organic Land Care
dry before applying additional moisture to limit the complete the Organic Land Care course are on
$2 each includes S&H.
spread of disease. the list of accredited professionals available at
www.organiclandcare.net or by sending a SASE to
鈥? Use a rain gauge. Vegetable and flower beds need 1
u Organic Land Care Brochure-included with
Professional List, Box 135, Stevenson, CT 06491.
inch of rain per week to flourish.
other orders, send SASE for it alone.
鈥? Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for the
鈥? Use soaker hoses or a well-timed sprinkler to
Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes
supplement what nature provides.
u Organic Weed Management manual
was published in the fall of 2001 and is updated
鈥? During a drought, provide deep-root watering, $ 8 each includes S& H.
annually. Copies are available for $20 plus $3
especially for those trees near asphalt.
postage through the NOFA contact on the cover.
u Organic Soil Management manual
鈥? Once a healthy lawn is established, it will need
watering only after seeding or during a drought. $ 8 each includes S & H.
If You Use A
鈥? An established organic lawn has a more extensive
u Annual Membership in CT NOFA
root system, enabling it find food and water even
Professional Lawn,
when it is dry. This enhanced root system enables $35 for individual or family
Garden or Tree
the lawn to survive a dry spell. $100 for business
Mulch saves water and controls Service: $150 supporting
weeds, insects and disease. u Donation to support the work of the Organic
鈥? Ask for an organic program (no chemical
鈥? Mulch protects the roots and trunk from damage pesticides). For best results, hire an organic land Land Care Committee $__________________
due to mowing. care professional accredited by NOFA. CT NOFA is a 501c3 non-profit
鈥? Mulch the entire bed with 1-2 inches of leaves, grass 鈥? Ask what chemicals are applied. If they apply
clippings, pine needles, buckwheat or cocoa hulls. u Inform me of the next course in Organic
pesticides, ask if they have a pesticide
鈥? Mulch to a depth of 2-4 inches around trees and applicator鈥檚 license. Ask to see it. Land Care
shrubs, but do not allow mulch to touch the bark.
鈥? Ask for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for
each chemical they use. Name _________________________________
The Organic Land Address _______________________________
Care Committee Ask Your Garden Center to Town ____________ State _____ Zip _______
Our mission is to educate land care professionals and
Carry Organic Products Phone ________________________________
the general public about the virtues of organic land
E-mail Address _________________________
care and about practices which:
Stores will respond to customer demand. Amount Enclosed _______________________
鈥? Maintain soil health.
Members may order organic products
鈥? Eliminate synthetic pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use. Send to:
through NOFA in bulk.
鈥? Increase landscape diversity. CT NOFA, Box 135, Stevenson, CT 06491
鈥? Improve the health and well being of the people or call (202) 888-5146
and web of life in our care.
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