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Audubon At Home is about taking individual conservation action that can sustain birds, other wildlife, and healthy habitats in our yards and neighborhoods.

“To all those chemicals, just say no! Compost is the way to go!"

As more studies document the threat to human health and the environment posed by synthetic pesticides that people routinely use in lawn care, there is increasing interest in chemical-free lawn care. At Audubon, we want to encourage people to live more sustainably and protect birds and other wildlife by reducing or eliminating their use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on their lawns and gardens. Below are some simple steps that individuals can substitute for conventional chemically based lawn care.

Soil Test: Your can test your soil to determine its health and composition. The results will indicate what inputs/products you need to amend the soil. To have your soil tested, send three tablespoons of soil in a zip-top bag to Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511. Include your name, return address, and request recommendations for organic fertilizers and amendments (call 203-974-8521 for more information).

Mow High and Sharp: Set the mower blade at least three inches high and keep it sharpened. This encourages stronger, more viable turf.

Leave Grass Clippings on your lawn to supply the soil with nitrogen. This will help eliminate your need for high-nitrogen synthetic fertilizers that are so damaging to the environment (for more information on the effects on nitrogen fertilizers on the Long Island Sound, please see http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/water/nps/success_stories/npslis.pdf).

Water Infrequently and Deeply: During extended dry periods only, water deeply once a week (three-four hours or enough to fill a tuna can). This encourages deep root growth, creating heartier plants that are drought and pathogen resistant.

Compost/Compost Tea: Top dress lawn with ¼-inch compost or apply compost tea in Spring and Fall. Compost is the key to successful organic land care. It replenishes the soil to maintain ample organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial organisms, which are essential components of a fertile nurturing soil.

Organic Fertilizers: You can apply an organic fertilizer in Spring and Fall.

Weed Control: The best weed control is a strong, healthy turf that can out-compete weeds. Over-seeding (i.e. re-seeding) with 'endophytic' grass seed varieties in the early Fall builds stronger turf. You may want to aerate before putting down seed. Another best practice is to hand pull weeds as they appear in the lawn, especially before the weeds go to seed. Please note: Applying corn gluten for crab grass is not recommended because over time with repeated applications, there will be an excess of nitrogen in the lawn that will not benefit the turf. Your best approach is to apply seed early in the spring so it out-completes the annual crabgrass seeds in the lawn from the previous growing season.

Disease and Insect Control: Elimination of synthetic pesticides will increase populations of birds, beneficial insects, and soil microorganisms, which are natural inhibitors of disease and insect problems. If the problem gets out of hand, apply beneficial nematodes and Milky Spore to affected area.

Consult these websites for more information, including lists of organically trained professionals:

www.ghlp.org
www.organiclandcare.net
www.livinglawn.org

SOME SAMPLE PRODUCTS*

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

• Earth-Rite
• WOW Plus
• Pro Gro
• Cockadoodle Doo
• Lawn Restore

COMPOST

• Local source for quality aged compost: Stone Barns in Westchester. www.stonebarnscenter.org (914-366-6200)
• Pelletized Compost by Green Valley
• Great Grow Granules by Great Grow

COMPOST TEA

Compost tea does not have a long shelf life so you must buy it fresh. Stone Barn in Westchester makes it. Some local landscape professionals deliver and apply compost tea. Check the www.organiclandcare.net website. Go to “Find a Landscaper,” “Connecticut,” “Fairfield County” to find sources for compost tea.

BENEFICIAL NEMATODES

Mail order sites are available on the Internet. Manufactured by BioLogic, Hydro-Gardens Inc. Praxis.

FUNGAL FOODS

Apply in November to promote fungi that will break down thatch over the winter. Product samples include Sea Crop Kelp (North American Kelp) and Fish Hydrolysate (Neptune’s Harvest).

*Product descriptions are informational only.
Audubon Greenwich does not endorse or recommend any products.