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Archive for the ‘Organic Approach’ Category

Tell USDA to Deny Dow’s 2,4-D Tolerant GMO Corn!

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

The following release is from Beyond Pesticides (http://www.beyondpesticides.org):

Deadline, Friday April 27 at Noon

Dow Chemical has asked USDA for approval of genetically engineered (GE) corn, modified to be tolerant of the highly toxic 2,4-D herbicide, which is contaminated with dioxin and linked to cancer, birth defects and more. We know from experience that herbicide-tolerant crops are a bad idea. They increase toxic pesticide use, contaminate organic and non-GE farms, and contribute to herbicide-resistance.

In fact, Dow wants to introduce the new variety of GE corn because weeds are becoming resistant to Roundup, the previous chemical of choice for herbicide-tolerant plants. The irony is that Roundup was originally marketed as a safer alternative to replace 2,4-D!

Solving herbicide resistance with another toxic chemical is like using gasoline to put out a fire. It will cause even more damage to health and the environment, and in a few years, the pesticide industry will be marketing their next “solution” to the growing resistance problem.

Tell USDA to stop this toxic experiment and deny Dow’s petition for 2,4-D tolerant GMO corn. Please take action then forward this email to your friends and family! We will include all organizational sign-ons when we submit the comments to EPA and keep all signatories in the loop on this issue.

Posted in News, Organic Approach, Pests, Weeds | No Comments »

Dandelions

Friday, April 20th, 2012

: Not so Healthy Dandelion

: Very Healthy Dandelion

The above photos were taken today of two dandelions growing in my backyard. I believe them to be a good example of “What do weeds tell us about the soil?”

If you have dandelions growing in your yard like my “Very Healthy Dandelion” then your soil conditions are closer to the gravelly nature of this soil: compacted sandy sediment, low in organic matter, and very low in calcium.

On the other hand if your dandelions are similar to my “Anemic Dandelion” then congratulations your soil conditions are progressing to the point where they favor growing grass. Your organic matter is improving and being acted upon by the indigenous soil biology. The pH of the soil is at our near 6.5. The availability of phosphorous should be low. Most importantly calcium levels should be high.

Patience, improving soil conditions and proper cultural practices will all have an effect in changing your dandelion crop from “Very Healthy” to “Anemic”.

Posted in Organic Approach, Weeds | No Comments »

Potential Grub Damage

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Due to the mild winter it is possible that you may encounter some early season grub damage, either directly from the grubs themselves or by their predators (skunks and crows), especially on newly transitioning lawns to organics. Obviously that lack of any sort of deep freeze this winter has allowed the grubs to remain closer to the soil surface. With the warming spring weather they are in the root zone feeding on the turf grass roots. As such they are also easy prey to the skunks and crows.

The grubs will likely continue feeding until about the 1st week of May. What to do? While we have had limited opportunities; we have had success using Hb Nematodes on white grubs in their 3rd instar. Please see Insect Parasitic Nematodes for Turfgrass Pest Management from Ohio State for more information on proper application.

Realistically the damage from crows or skunks is going to require repair. There will still be plenty of time to make repairs and get the areas established before summer, especially if you use a quick germinating turf grass species like perennial ryegrass.

If you are in need of Hb nematodes please check out GreenMethods.com.

You should also know that a conventional approach (e.g. pesticide use of Dylox) is unlikely to have any affect given that the grubs are in their 3rd in star lifecycle stage.

Posted in Organic Approach, Pests | No Comments »

New England Grows

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Want to talk more about Organic Turf Care?

Come visit us at NE Grows February 1-3 at the Boston Convention Center – Booth #2452!

PJC is a manufacturer and distributor of organic fertilizers and soil amendments. We provide product, consulting and business tools to landscapers, schools, and municipalities that want to transition from a conventional approach to an all natural organic turf care program for the maintenance of their lawns and athletic fields.

Posted in Organic Approach, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Why Lime?

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

It is fall; so like many you are probably going to apply lime – but do you know why?

The function of limestone is to reduce the acidity of the soil and change the pH (potential Hydrogen). Liming provides three potential benefits important to growing healthy turf; improves soil chemistry, encourages beneficial soil biology, and improves soil structure.

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Posted in Organic Approach, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Arboretum Elementary Healthy Lawn Project

Friday, October 14th, 2011

PJC had the pleasure of being a consulting partner to the Arboretum Elementary Healthy Lawn Project in Waunakee, WI along with Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics.

To learn more about the project, a collaboration between a volunteer group of parents and the Waunakee School District please check out their recently launched web site

They are now setting their sights on larger media outreach, with press releases and will also be brainstorming on potential spring collaborations with other local environmental groups, UW-Madison and Dr. Porter, that may include a public showing of A Chemical Reaction and panel discussion with Paul Tukey and others.

Posted in News, Organic Approach | No Comments »

Seeding ?

Friday, September 30th, 2011

No, it’s not too late to seed. While temperatures are starting to drop there is still time to get new seed established. When selecting seed varieties focus on the fescues – tall & fine, and perrenial ryegrass.

Kentucky bluegrass takes up to 28 days to germinate; so if you get it started now there is a real possibility that we could encounter a frost in the Northeast before the plants can get established.

For more specifics on seed click to see an earlier post.

Please remember getting seed established now will just make for thicker, richer lawns next season.

Posted in Organic Approach | No Comments »

What’s in your Compost?

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Over the years compost top-dressing has become a part of many organic land care professionals approach to growing quality turf. While often very labor intensive due to the bulk of product required to spread ¼“ compost on the lawn, the benefits generally outweighed the negatives. Most landscapers would steer clear of sewage sludge for concerns over the potential of heavy metal contamination or fear of antimicrobial content like triclosan, an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral synthetic chemical found in many household products such as soaps, toothpaste and dish detergent which find their way into the sewage system.

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Posted in News, Organic Approach | 1 Comment »

Common Chickweed

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Due to our extreme winter weather and a wet cool spring, we’ve heard and seen more outbreaks of chickweed in turf than we have in probably six or seven years. Chickweed leaves are opposite, egg-shaped and pointed at the apex. It has a small star-shaped white flower. Chickweed will grow to a height of 3 – 7 inches. A couple of things to keep in mind with regards to common chickweed:
• First it is a winter annual. It will likely die off as warmer temperatures arrive especially from areas that are not moist and shaded.
• Grows in areas of poor turf density.
• Has a short fibrous root system.

Like most forms of weed control in an organic lawn improving turf density is critical to controlling common chickweed. Once the sunny warm weather appears common chickweed is going to die off leaving bare ground for the next weed to appear. At this time of the season the best recommendation would be to seed slice those areas where there is chickweed as soon as possible. Because of chickweed’s poorly developed root system the act of seed slicing should take care of the existing root system.

Also check those areas where you over-seeded early this season. Again, due to the cooler wetter spring we experienced this year the soil temperature may not have reached the ideal range 60⁰ + to get the cool season grasses to germinate as such it may warrant putting down additional seed to save yourself headaches later this season.

Posted in Organic Approach, Weeds | 4 Comments »

Maryland Enacts Lawn Fertilizer Law

Friday, May 20th, 2011

This week a new legislation was signed into law limiting lawn fertilizer use in an effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay from nutrient pollution. Lawn fertilizer may not be applied before March 1st or after November 15th. While one would think it common sense, restrictions were also placed on how close to water (10 – 15 feet) fertilizer could be applied.

Restrictions were not placed on “natural organic” fertilizer that contained phosphorous; though come 2013 such material containing phosphorous could not be applied uness warranted by soil test results.

Source: Baltimore Sun