ARTICLE

SPARE THE SPRAY…SPOIL THE SPADE

Did you guess the subject of this months column from the header? Right you are, it's Pesticide Awareness and how to achieve a truly "green" lawn and garden.

It is quite possible to have a green, weed-free lawn without chemicals and toxic pesticides. It requires a little more work, but very little, and realistically isn't that the point of gardening? Getting out into the sunshine, digging around in the earth and creating your own little paradise in the backyard? The point I'm trying to make is that you can have esthetically pleasing lawns, flower and vegetable gardens with a little more elbow grease and a lot less poison. The rewards are endless. Your children and pets can play on the grass without you fearing the harmful effects that pesticide residues could have on them. Children and pets put everything in their mouths and with a chemical free yard, the worst thing you will have to do is brush their teeth.

There are many methods of turf management which if followed will yield good results. Be sure to take into account the type of soil you have, the shade, turf species and the intended use of the lawn when beginning.

Soil testing is a good starting point, once you know the Ph of your soil, what it has and what it needs to be healthy - you'll be off to a good start. Scuffing up the soil prior to over seeding with seed mix and rich soil plus compost will help combat thin areas. Kentucky Bluegrass in sunny locations and fescues in shade. Mow high, rake thoroughly, aerate, and top dressing with rich soil will also increase the strength and beauty of your grass.

Grasscycling anyone? Grasscycling is just what the name implies, recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn. Here are 10 good reasons to grasscycle:

1. Grasscycling improves lawn quality.
2. Grasscycling saves time and work.
3. Clippings do not cause thatch as believed years ago.
4. Grass clippings don't damage lawns.
5. Grasscycling doesn't spread diseases.
6. All lawn mowers can grasscycle
7. Grass clippings are a free, high-nitrogen fertilizer.
8. Grasscycling means no need to spend our tax dollars on     landfilling grass.
9. Grasscycling does not need to be messy.
10.Grasscycling is a simple, easy opportunity for every homeowner to do something good for our common environment.

There are very many products in the market place and many others that are every day household ingredients which can be used to help you achieve a pesticide free lawn and garden.

How can I learn more about pesticide alternatives and methods? I'm glad you asked. I am inviting each of you to attend the Pesticide Free Workshop being put on by the Walkerton Healthy Community Initiative, Tuesday May 7, 2002 at 7:00p.m in the reception room of the Jubilee Hall, Walkerton. Anne Range and Alison Rowe, two members of the Walkerton Healthy Community Initiative Board are our pesticide experts and they will be presenting this workshop.

Come on out and listen to this interesting, informative and important presentation. Come out and learn how to grow your green lawn and garden. With a little effort you will be able to demonstrate a great deal of pride, not only in the beauty of your pesticide free lawn but in your contribution to the ecosystem.