Archive for the ‘News’ Category

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.

EPA settles complaint over pesticide

Friday, August 26th, 2011

According to the AP, “The complaint alleged that annual approval of methyl bromide use by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation had a disproportionately adverse impact on the health of Latino children because their schools were often close to agricultural fields.”

Methyl bromide is a soil fumigant, injected into the soil to kill pests, weeds, and diseases prior to planting crops. Methyl bromide is scheduled to be phased out by 2015.

The original suit was brought in 1999. The obvious question “Why does it take so Long?”

To Read More

Imprelis Suspected in Tree Deaths

Friday, July 15th, 2011

The New York Times reported yesterday, July 14, 2011, that the new Dupont herbicide Imprelis is suspected in the deaths of thousands of Norway spruces, eastern white pines and other trees on lawns and golf courses across the country.

According to the article, Bert Cregg, an associate professor of horticulture and forestry and an extension specialist with Michigan State University has fielded many calls from landscapers and inspected affected trees, said the problem existed across the country. Many extension services have issued warnings, Dr. Cregg said. “This is going to be a large-scale problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of trees, if not more,” he said. Imprelis is used on athletic fields and cemeteries as well as on private lawns and golf courses, he noted. (more…)

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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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

Sustainable Community Forum

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Sustainable Community Forum – April 8th & 9th
Practical solutions for health and the environment – The 29th National Pesticide Forum

The conference will be held at the Colorado School of Public Health in Denver and will cover topics such as pesticides and health, impacts of pesticides on pollinators, organic food and farming, healthy communities, organic land care, non-toxic bed bug control, policy change, and more.

Chip Osborne will be speaking on Organic Land Care – strategies for managing parks and open space without pesticides.

For more info

Recovering from Drought

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Much of the Northeast has seen below normal rainfall since April 2010 as well as unusually warm temperatures, especially during July. This has led to drought concerns throughout the region.  However, the recent rains of the last week should be enough to bring the lawns out of dormancy.  New green growth over 60% or more of the lawn area is a good sign that the lawn can recover.  So what can you do to aid our lawns or athletic fields in the recovery process? (more…)

Atrazine

Friday, August 20th, 2010

While perhaps I shouldn’t be, I am often surprised to hear from folks that if the EPA allows a pesticide to be registered it’s ok to use it.   As I look at it just because a product is registered by the EPA it doesn’t mean that it’s safe.  There are a number of examples of products that have been in use and then later the EPA has identified potential human health effects that result in a product being banned or “phased out”.

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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.

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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