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Message |
    
Melonious
Citizen
Username: Melonious
Post Number: 96
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 9:22 pm: | 
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We would like to switch to a lawn maintenance service that does not use carcinogenic chemicals. I'm not sure if "pesticide-free" is the term I'm looking for, but what we want to get away from is the use of the kind of chemicals that warrant those yellow DANGER-WARNING-CANCER flags whenever they are spread.
I'm assuming these kinds of services are more expensive, but we're willing to take that chance.
Any reco's as well as important terms to know would be appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Mel |
teddytwotimes
Citizen
Username: Anothernewguy
Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:51 am: |
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of course, the most environmentally friendly thing to do would be to not have a lawn....
That said; water less but deeply, mow high, maintain proper PH, and try Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techiniques to minimize the use of pesticides. All pesticides are chemicals which are at least somewhat toxic. I don't know of any services which don't use them to some degree. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 352
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:51 am: |
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We started with NaturaLawn last year with quite dramatic results. I believe they offer 2 options - one that isn't completely pesticide free and the other is pesticide free. Check it out.
http://www.nl-amer.com/
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dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1319
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
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Spare_o,
What did they do for you? I'm looking to get back to mowing my own lawn, but it's really in pretty bad condition in many spots. I'm hardly a green thumb, so I'll hire someone rehabilitate it if I have to. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 353
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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dave--We do the mowing and upkeep, they get rid of the weeds. I really don't mind some weeds all that much but it got to the point that there were more weeds than lawn. It was so bad that we couldn't push our reel mower through the weeds anymore. They did a few treatments as well as reseeded and aerated. I tried some of these things on my own but the weeds were winning.
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dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1324
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 1:19 pm: |
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Thanks, Spare. I'm not looking for a perfect lawn. Just one that isn't mostly dead. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 420
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:45 pm: |
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We have used "pesticide-free" in the past and funny enough when you look closly at the little flag it says just that...however a lot of people just assume it is a warning! |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 390
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
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I've gone as non-chemical as I can - fired the "service" last summer figuring for the $2K I paid them two summers ago my lawn couldn't look any worse! I mow high, use milky spore 3 x year (spring/summer/fall) for grub control as well as "beneficial nematodes" at least once. I also use "Aerify" a liquid Soil Aerator and Clay Loosener found at www.natureslawn.com. Believe it or not, it really works! Encouraging deep root growth is the best bet against the hot, dry days of summer and helps reduce watering needs.
They also sell a terrific natural additive called "Nature's Soil Activator" which is
Quote:a blend of two of the best soil activators and plant health products in the world: Humic Acid (often called liquid humus) and Seaweed (kelp).
As you probably know, the key to weed control is the healthiest grass you can grow which will choke out weeds. A spot application of a product called "Burnout" will take care of the occassional persistant weed, but it will kill grass too so be careful. Get the weeds while they are young!
These extra applications are not that time consuming to do if you're already mowing yourself. Good luck!! |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1335
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:02 pm: |
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Anyone know of a full service lawn business that uses these sorts of products? I'm not ready to take back control of mowing, pruning, weeding, etc., and am not keen on having more than one vendor for my lawn care. |
Melonious
Citizen
Username: Melonious
Post Number: 97
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 10:09 pm: |
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I went to the NaturaLawn website and they seem to offer lawn care services (per Spare-o's first post). I have a call in to their service and hope to hear from them soon. Hopefully it will not be that much more expensive than the service we were using, because I'm pretty sure this is the way we want to go. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1336
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 11:47 pm: |
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To me it looks like they take care of seeding, fertilizing, etc., but not mowing or any care for other lawn plantings. Please let us know if what they do is more comprehensive! |
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