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LAWNS FACT SHEET
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Good organic lawn
care involves more than fertilizer and avoiding
pesticides. It means building up your lawn's
root structure and the soil that supports it so
that you achieve a natural balance between
beneficial organisms and pests. With organic
techniques that balance will last
forever.
- Some basic principles
to organic lawn care are: AERATE- weedy lawns are
often the results of poor drainage and
compaction, aeration allows air to enter soil
assisting in breakdown of thatch and allows
nutrients to easily enter the soil root zone.
DETHATCH- often caused by over fertilizing with
commercial synthetic chemical fertilizers and
over watering in the past. Note: Up to a 1/2 inch
of thatch can be beneficial. TEST- have a
complete soil analysis done and bring soil to
correct balance of nutrients and structure. FEED
the soil with a balanced organic (slow release)
fertilizer or compost and MOW HIGH. If grass is
cut short then shallow roots develop making it
difficult for the grass to withstand drought.
Also keep mower blade SHARP, a dull blade damages
the grass each time it is cut.
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Thatch is composed of
roots, stolons, and rhizomes(runners). Mulching
mowers leave the grass clippings on the yard
(adds organic matter & nitrogen) which
increase the microorganism activity which assists
in the breakdown of thatch.
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Key to success in
Houston with St. Augustine lawns is to make sure
the soil is rich and alive. Commercial synthetic
chemical fertilizers and weed & feed formulas
kill off the microorganisms in our soil that is
needed for good health. Also the use of
fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, and
insecticides destroy our soils health even when
they are used on surface plants, as rain, dew or
watering will wash the chemicals into the
soil.
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Endophyte's is a
friendly fungus that has a mutually beneficial
association with many species of grasses, it
derives food as well as protection from living
between the cells of the turfgrass plant's
roots. This fungus does not harm the host plant
but does produce toxins that are released into
the leaves and roots of the grass plant and these
toxins are harmful to surface feeding insects.
Studies at Rutgers University and Lofts Seed Inc.
have shown that grass with endophyte's
present are able to withstand drought and weed
invasion better. In addition the fungus produces
toxins that repel chinch bugs, sod webworms, and
other surface feeding insects.
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A Cornell University
study concluded that mulching mowers can provide
a convenient and economical solution to the
problem of disposing grass cuttings and leaves.
The study revealed that over a season the lawn
became healthier and with 40% more growth (as
compared to a lawn cut with a bagger). It was
estimated that on 1/2 acre lawn a person would
save $692 annually in disposal
fees.
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Frequent mowings
(every 3-4 days) helps promote lawn health.
Cutting over 1/3 of the leave length injures
grass, greatly increasing the chances of insects
and disease problems.
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It has been estimated
that there are 930 Billion microorganisms in each
1 pound of soil under grass turf (Eliot Roberts
of the Lawn Institute)
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Researchers have
discovered a group of fungi that protect lawn
grasses from pests. The fungi is called
endophytes and live in a symbiotic relationship
that benefits both plant and fungus. The fungi
produce toxins that are harmless to the grass
(and humans) but repels chinch bugs, sod webworms
and other surface feeding insects. (Fine
Gardening, July/August 1993).
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Research at Rutgers
University and Lofts seed company indicate that
grass plants inoculated with endophytes are more
vigorous, and able to stand drought and weed
invasions better. (Fine Gardening, July/August
1993).
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"Plants grown
with ammonia-based fertilizers (synthetic
chemical based) actually attract pest
insects." Earth Kind Gardening,
1993.
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Grey leaf spot is
often caused (associated with) by the application
of high nitrogen synthetic chemical fertilizers.
It can be treated by lots of watering and the
application of the synthetic chemical fungicide
Daconil. OR it can be prevented by treating the
yard with compost and using an organic
fertilizer.
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ALL of the dozen or
so commonly recommended lawn pesticides are
suspected of causing serious long term health
problems. Captan and Benomyl are carcinogens and
mutagens. Many people have severe allergic
reactions to Captan often requiring
hospitalization. Dursban has caused chronic
kidney damage in laboratory tests and 2,4D has
been linked to lymphatic cancer. Many homeowners
report problems with common lawn chemicals
causing excruciating headaches, nausea, extreme
fatigue, and other debilitating illnesses.
Garbage Magazine, July/August
1990.
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A study reported in
the "American Journal of Public Health"
has found that children whose yards were treated
with herbicides (weed & feed) and
insecticides had four times the risk of certain
cancers. Houston Chronicle, February 27,
1995.
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The National Academy
of Science has said "exposures to pesticides
early in life can lead to a greater risk of...
cancer, neurodevelopmental impairment, and immune
dysfunction". This means our children are in
far greater danger.
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A medical school
study shows that children in families that use a
lot of pesticides are nearly seven times as
likely to develop leukemia. .....The EPA
estimates that 300,000 hired farm workers and
their children suffer acute illness and injuries
from exposure to pesticides each year. Farm
Workers Still Unprotected, New York Times
2/25/92.
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Numerous studies in
various states have shown that Brown Patch in
grass is a disease caused by fertilization. There
is a direct link between brown patch and
fertilization with synthetic nitrogen sources
during the growing season. More fertilizer = more
brown patch.
Basics of an Organic Approach
(Compare the two)
SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL APPROACH
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Mow low and
often
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Catch grass
clippings
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High analysis
fertilizer 4-5 times per year
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High nitrogen
fertilizer
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Synthetic fertilizer
without organic matter
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Fertilizer based on
plant needs
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Fertilizers with none
or few trace minerals
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Attempts to control
and manipulate nature
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Treat symptoms
(insects, diseases, etc.) not causes
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Uses extremely
dangerous chemical pesticides that
pollute
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Sprays are used as
preventatives
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Discourages use of
beneficial insects and natural
controls
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Uses only labeled
chemical products
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Creates health
problems for users of the chemicals
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Requires large
amounts of water
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Time consuming and
very expensive in both money and health
ORGANIC APPROACH
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Mow higher and less
often
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Leave clippings on
ground
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Low analysis
fertilizer 2 times per year
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Natural low nitrogen
fertilizer
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100% organic
fertilizer
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Fertilizer based on
soil needs
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Fertilizers loaded
with trace minerals and other
nutrients
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Works with
nature
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Treats causes such as
soil and cultural problems, not
symptoms
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Uses natural pest
control (if required) that does not
pollute
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Soil improvement is
major preventative
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Uses beneficial
insects as a major tool and other natural
controls
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Uses soaps, teas, and
homemade mixtures and labeled
products.
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Rarely requires
supplemental water
Compiled from several sources:
Excerpts from "Texas Organic Gardening
Book", by Howard Garrett
Excerpts from "ACRES, USA" magazine
Excerpts from "Organic Gardening"
Magazine, Rodale Research Institute
Excerpts from "The New Garden",
television series
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