Safer Lawn Care this Spring: Why and How

 
We all have an opportunity to play a role in reducing exposure to toxins in our community—starting with our yards this spring.

In American culture, a beautiful lawn has traditionally been synonymous with a beautiful home. And to keep lawns looking lush, professionals and homeowners have tended to rely on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. But people are catching on that these chemicals are not needed to maintain a green, inviting yard and that their use can come at a heavy price to public health, water quality and the environment. Here is some information on this heavy price.

Public Health: You see, there is growing evidence linking exposure to pesticides with serious health problems (cancer, disruption to nervous, immune, hormonal systems), especially for children and pets. In fact, no lawn pesticide has ever been tested for its effect on children, although studies show that children are uniquely vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Not only are their immune systems and bodies still developing, but they are closer to the ground and they have been known to put grass and dirt in their mouths. Dogs are especially vulnerable for the same reasons and studies have linked lawn chemicals in dogs to certain cancers. (Did you know that it is illegal for a lawn care professional or lawn care product manufacturer to make claims that their products are “safe”, “harmless” or “non-toxic”? What does that tell you?)

Sadly, New Jersey puts an average of four million pounds a year of lawn pesticides on its grounds, half on residential properties. (Did you know that 2,4-D, a toxic ingredient in Agent Orange, is one of the most common pesticides used in NJ?) Pesticide sprays can easily drift into neighboring homes or be tracked in on shoes and can remain there for years. (Under law you can ask your neighbor’s lawn service to notify you 24-hours in advance of a pesticide application.)
 
Water Quality/Environment: Lawn chemicals can run off your yard during rain or watering and into the storm drains and pollute the waterways (In 2007 the US Geological Survey found evidence of pesticides in every body of water tested in New Jersey). These chemical fertilizers and pesticides use large amounts of fossil fuels to produce and ship, becoming one more contributor to climate change. (Did you know the EPA says a gas-powered push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars each being driven for one hour?) Reports even show that certain pesticides are responsible for the declining honeybee. Dan Rather has a great video piece on this subject that also looks at the faulty EPA product testing system.

The Health of your Lawn: Chemicals give your lawn an artificial boost, but deplete your soil of important nutrients. Organic materials do the opposite. They feed the soil, which then provides a consistent and sustainable food source for the grass. Overtime, your lawn will need little maintenance as it becomes sustainable.

Chip Osborne, a national expert in natural lawn care explains “Pesticides and synthetics are simply counter-productive to the creation of a healthy system as they do nothing to contribute to soil health. When pesticides are taken out of the equation over time, soils and ultimately grass plants, get healthier.”

Read more about the health and eco-impacts here.

People Are Catching On

The tradition of the perfectly manicured, chemical-laden, grass-only suburban seems to be losing its cool. Laws have passed banning the use of synthetic lawn pesticides at schools in New York (day care through 12th grade) and Connecticut (K through 8th grade). New Jersey is currently considering a similar legislation at schools (If you are a NJ citizen 18 or over please sign this petition in support of the NJ Safe Playing Fields Act!)

Moreover, six Canadian already provinces have made it illegal to sell and use herbicides. Europe has outlawed pesticides that are harmful to the rapidly declining honeybees. New Jersey passed the nation's strongest lawn fertilizer bill in 2011 to protect the waterways from fertilizer-polluted water run-off. Over forty New Jersey towns have passed resolutions to be pesticide-free on publicly owned parks. Organic lawn care professionals and native garden landscapers are increasing in number.

The bottom line is that people, towns, countries and businesses are catching on that you can have a green lawn AND a safe lawn.

What Can You Do?

"I want to have a beautiful lawn. What safer choices do I have?" you might ask.
 
Hire an organic lawn care provider or do it yourself. Email us at Info@SafeYardsMontclair.org for a list of local services. Read more here about local people and places that are producing great yards without chemicals and review step-by-step information on DIY organic lawn care.
  
Reduce Your Lawn to what you absolutely need. And replace it with ornamental grasses, native plants and natural landscaping, which is beautiful and a better environmental choice (decreases water usage, filters dirty storm water run-off, and requires NO mowing) and will save you lots of time and effort.

Put up a sign; don’t put up with pesticides: If you are inspired to give pesticide-free lawn care a go, you can take it even one step further and post an attractive Pesticide-Free Zone Ladybug sign on your front yard. Show your support for pesticide-free yards and pledge to provide a safe yard for kids to play and pets to sniff.  You might even inspire a neighbor to make the switch! Montclair residents, houses of worship, and schools are posting signs.  Read more here.

Want Live Advice? Save the dates; great upcoming events

March 18: Join Safe Yards Montclair for a First Day of Spring event at Whole Foods Montclair. Stop by between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pick up lawn care information; ask questions to a local landscaper live; take home your Pesticide-Free Zone Yard sign.

April 2: Attend our free tele-workshop "Simple Steps to a Healthy Lawn for You, Your Family and Pets" on Monday night April 2nd from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. from the comfort of your own home. Learn how to do it yourself or how to work with a landscaper to produce a lovely, organic lawn this spring. RSVP to Info@SafeYardsMontclair.org.

Let’s make 2012 the year that we all make an effort to reduce toxins in our community, one yard at a time. Every yard counts!