• Taken your soil tests
• Put down your 1st application of Renaissance® All Natural Organic Fertilizer
• Limed according to your soil test results (though this is helping get things ready for late fall and next season)
• Repaired any bare areas of your turf coverage by top-dressing and over-seeding
• Put down Hum-Amend or pelleted compost to help improve CEC
• Begin raising mowing heights to 3 1/2″

If you haven’t, you’ll want to get going and a minimum get the above steps completed in the next week.

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.

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”.

The Wingspread Statement

The release and use of toxic substances, the exploitation of resources, and physical alterations of the environment have had substantial unintended consequences affecting human health and the environment. Some of these concerns are high rates of learning deficiencies, asthma, cancer, birth defects and species extinctions, along with global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion and global worldwide contamination with toxic substances and nuclear material.

We believe existing environmental regulations and other decisions, particularly those based on risk assessment, have failed to adequately protect human health and the environment—the larger system of which humans are but a part.

We believe there is compelling evidence that damage to humans and the worldwide environment is of such magnitude and seriousness that new principles for conducting human activities are necessary.

While we realize that human activities may involve hazards, people must proceed more carefully than has been the case in recent history. Corporations, government entities, organizations, communities, scientists, and other individuals must adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavors.

Therefore, it is necessary to implement the Precautionary Principle: When an activity raises threat of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public,, should bear the burden of proof.

The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed, democratic, and must include potentially affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action.

“Precautionary Principle.” Science & Environmental Health Network. n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012 http://www.sehn.org/wing.html

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.

Geared towards lawn care professionals and municipal officials, this two-day program will cover all aspects of how to transition properties from conventional programs using synthetic and chemical products to a natural organic system. The training will present the building blocks of establishing and maintaining a natural turf system.

Additionally, the program will include problem solving sessions, how to set client or end user expectations and the economic costs and benefits of introducing a natural program into one’s business, municipality or school district.

Presenter Chip Osborne does a great job presenting information that is relevant and applicable to the turf manager. We highly recommend this course for those interested in starting or improving their Organic Turf Care Program.
Class starts Monday and there is still time to register. Tuition Price: $350.00

Contact: Chip Osborne (781) 631-2468 or info@osborneorganics.com

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.

This 5-day intensive course covers all aspects of designing and managing naturally- beautiful landscapes that protect the health of people, pets, and local ecosystems. Thirty hours of instruction include site analysis and design, organic turf, soil fertility, water conservation, and the control of pests, diseases and invasive species.

For more information, visit www.organiclandcare.net or contact the Program Coordinator, Caro Roszell at (508) 360-0874 or caro@nofamass.org. Registration is $520 if registering by Dec 17 (includes daily locally-sourced lunch). Professional Accreditation is optional. 15% off total registration for groups of three or more.