Organic Fertilizer-2014

Hi folks!

I hope the beginning of 2014 has been awesome for you.  Even though our lawns are frozen solid and covered in snow right now,  I've been thinking about ways to make them greener come Spring time.

I wanted to give everyone some good information about organic lawn fertilization, and the products I'll be using this year to achieve some healthy, green lawns.  You may already be using my services for your lawn.  If so, thanks a bunch! And...this will provide you with detailed information about what is already being applied to your lawn.  If you're not fertilizing yet, I strongly encourage you to contact me soon so that we can set up a plan and schedule for your property in 2014.

I want to start by saying that homeowners that use organic products have to be a bit more tolerant than those using chemical products.  There are a few reasons for that.  The first...organic takes longer than chemical. Why?  I like to think of organic fertilization as a 'soil transformation'.  You are introducing organic matter and activity to your lawn. This is a process of microbial organisms (and bugs and worms) living, eating, excreting, and dying in your lawn.  Sounds gross...I know.  But, this activity creates food for your grass to eat.  It also creates a healthy environment for your grass to live on.  However, it takes time to create that healthy soil bed in your lawn.

Using a chemical fertilizer, you are applying food for your grass that is immediate and direct.  No soil transformation has to take place in order for your grass to eat.  However, you are actually depleting the soil of all of it's healthy nutrients.  The grass simply depends on what you apply to the lawn.  That is why some chemically treated lawns can be so temperamental throughout a season.

So...organic takes longer.  That needs to be understood.  Another reason why organic users need to be tolerant is because it's not perfect.  Within the world of grub/pest control, weed control (crabgrass preventer), etc., organic treatments work to create an environment within the soil that isn't ideal or inhabitable for these unwanted issues.  Chemical treatments simply 'kill' or destroy the issue at hand.  That isthe goalI suppose.  However, this also kills many beneficial nutrients in the process, and leaves you with a lawn that you can't be near because of associated health issues it causes.  If you have young kids or pets, or are pregnant, you'd be crazy to have these chemicals around. (For more info on that, check my previous 'Another reason to go Organic with Lawn Care' post.) Never mind the fact that so many people burn their lawn with these products.  They are so temperamental and harsh that if used incorrectly, you'll do some serious damage to your lawn.  But once in a while, you may get the chemical balance correct, and achieve that perfectly lush, green lawn.  You can achieve that with organic, it just takes a bit more time, and the plucking of some stray crabgrass once in a while.

I don't tell you this to scare you away from using organic products.  That wouldn't be a good business plan.  I tell you this to have an honest dialogue about the process, and to inform you on how they are different than chemicals.  Yes...with organic comes tolerance.  But I am completely confident that with some time and dedication, these organic products are the way to go.   And besides a healthy lawn, you can be proud of a long list of other benefits including no chemical 'run-off' into local waterways and reservoirs, less of a carbon footprint in the manufacturing and application of the products, a lawn that you can lay on with no health risks involved, and a landscaper (that's me!) that doesn't go home with a host of health issues from chemicals (the stories from some chemical applicator workers are unbelievable!).

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The application and product line that I use is very simple.  I use a Blue Seal (Bow, NH) product.  It involves the Pre-emergent Weed Control (Corn Gluten) in the early Spring and in mid-Summer (2 applications/season).  It also involves the Lawn Food in early Summer and Fall (2 applications/season).  That totals 4 applications for the season.

All in all, I'd love to talk to you more about these products and come up with a plan and schedule for making the investment in your own property.

Email me at eastconcordgrassroots@gmail.com, and don't forget to visit my website at www.eastconcordgrassroots.com.

Stay green!
James

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