GROWING A GREAT LAWN WITHOUT CHEMICALS

• More than one scientist has suggested that there is a link between the use of lawn chemicals and cancer in dogs (Such as article was published in 2004, in the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine.) Local veterinarians report a suspected correlation as well. For instance, a vet told a friend her cat was poisoned from eating grass that had been treated by lawn chemicals.
  
  
• Further study could show risks to people, especially children
  
• This risk is coming from a combination of chemicals in fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
  
• These chemicals run off lawns as waste water into streams, ponds and rivers and could filter through the soil into well water. The chemicals in streams and rivers run into bays. This is what has happened to the Chesapeake Bay.
  
• Lawn chemicals also can be tracked into the house, get into carpets and become an indoor airborne hazard.

• Mow high (3”). The grass will then shade out the weeds.
  
• Leave clippings on the lawn. They will fertilize the grass.
  
• Do not water anything but a new lawn. Frequent watering discourages deep roots.
  
• Plant varieties of grass which are suitable to your lawn’s sun and shade conditions, its use, and its soil. Those good in Pennsylvania are blue grasses, perennial ryegrass, bentgrasses, fine and tall Fescue and Zoysia grass.
  
• If you see extensive damage from grubs, use milky spore (or beneficial nematodes) in the fall when the grubs are feeding.
  
• Fertilize with organic fertilizer in spring and fall. Corn gluten applied in the fall will fertilize your lawn and prevent weeds from growing in the spring.
  
• Correct the soil if it is in bad shape. The correct PH can be determined through a soil test. Soil test kits can be bought through some garden centers or through the county Agricultural Extension Service (look in the Blue Pages of your phone book). These tests will be sent to Penn State and an analysis returned to you)
  
• Organic fertilizers and remedies for lawn problems can be found at your local home/garden stores as well as on the internet such as:
  www.gardensalive.com.