Organic Lawn Care

It's that time of year - tune up your lawn mower and get out your fertilizers. Wait, before you get out your fertilizers, do a little research into natural or organic lawn care and make some educated decisions about your lawn. Or, just use this search that I already did for you.

There are some easy basics that everyone can use even if still using petro-based fertilizers and pesticides: mow to about 3", water thoroughly only once per week.

Looking for an organic lawn service to replace Chemlawn? I heard a radio ad for Child's Play Organic Lawns while driving through South Bend, IN. Unfortunately they're a little far from my place, and I like to do it myself anyway. The search I linked above and the Child's Play site are both good resources for you if you're interested in not only reducing harmful chemical exposure to your family, pets, and the environment, but if you simply want a healthier and less maintenance-extensive lawn.

Compost for All

I think most people are afraid to compost; they think it's too smelly, too ugly, too gross. Those are fair concerns based on our basic understandings of the concept. Many probably know about the giant manure compost piles at farms, or think of the cubic yard-sized wire or wood bins way in the back of a large yard in the country. Those still occur and are great. But things have changed.

Why Compost?

1) It's Free

2) You'll dispose of less garbage

3) It creates the best fertilizer there is, period

4) Most* store - bought fertilizers are produced from petroleum

5) It's perfect for teaching kids about environmental responsibility, science, & biology

6) Almost everyone has plants or grass (yes, use it on your lawn) that need food

This is really a huge topic that I'll cover more in the future, but this post will be a good starter.

Composting has really evolved into an efficient and easily manageable process that literally anyone can do no matter where they live. You can buy nice kitchen compost pails into which you throw your food scraps until you have a minute to take them outside - food sitting out does attract fruit flies. Mine even has an activated carbon filter in the top to adsorb any odors - I have honestly never sensed an odor from it (had it for maybe 5 years now) - no matter how rank it got inside. Your actual composter can be one of many designs, depending on your situation and space availability.

I think the best for the lazy man like myself is the drum-style, that makes sure the material is mixed and aerated enough. I used to have bins on the ground that required turning with a pitch fork, but now I've got a drum (more because of space and aesthetics).

So visit some of the links above and do a little research. I'm confident you'll find that you can do it too.

*Just came across this very interesting article about a guy who's selling worm compost tea packaged in used soda bottles with spent sprayer attachments. His entire product, packaging and all, is 100% reused or recycled. This is also a great article for those interested in entrepreneurial stories.