Archive for July, 2010

Triclosan Facts

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Triclosan is used in hundreds of consumer products such as soaps, hand sanitizers, cosmetics, toys, plastics and textiles, is an antibacterial pesticide linked to numerous human health risks and environmental contamination.  Studies have found triclosan in urine, breast milk and umbilical cord blood.  It is detected in large concentrations in surface waters and wastewater treatment sludge, as well as in fish and earthworms.  Triclosan is also an endocrine disruptor, interfering with thyroid hormones, estrogen and androgen receptors.  It is also implicated in the rise of bacterial resistance, which can threaten the integrity of antibacterial and antibiotics in medical settings.  For more information visit Beyond PesticidesSource: AcresUSA, August 2010.

August – Asian Longhorned Beetle Month

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The Governor’s Office has declared August – Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month. Increased awareness is called for with the latest find of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Jamaica Plain, MA.  The following is from the UMass Extension Landscape Message #19 of July 23, 2010.

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Learn Something New!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

With the summer doldrums upon us now is a great time to take advantage of the fact that the lawns aren’t growing and it’s not a good time for landscape installations and go out and learn something new.  A couple of easy things to do for those interested in organic lawn care are to embark on a self study course, take in a seminar, or buy a book and go to the beach and read.

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Dormant, Not Dead Lawns

Friday, July 9th, 2010

The triple digit temperatures experienced in the Northeast this past week have quickly turned many formerly green lawns into brown ones.  High temperatures with the accompanying lack of rainfall over the past couple months also has many municipalities contemplating if not already implementing outdoor watering bans.

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Crabgrass

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

The hotter than normal conditions this season is resulting in the appearance of crabgrass earlier than usual in those lawns that are not growing under the most ideal of conditions.

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