Imprelis Suspected in Tree Deaths

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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What’s in your Compost?

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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“Organic Lawns & Landscapes Refresher”

June 16th, 2011

NOFA/Mass will host two “Organic Lawns & Landscapes Refresher” workshops, on Friday, August 12 from 8am to Noon at UMass Amherst, Campus Center Room 904-908, with Chip Osborne, in conjunction with the NOFA Summer Conference; and again Friday, August 19 from 9am to 1pm at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, with Javier Gil. Practical skills and problem solving will be the focus of these four-hour intensive workshops. Beginning with an overview of the systems approach to organic landscaping; soil testing; soil amendments; managing nutrition; grass types; and compost tea, Osborne and Gil will then delve into practical solutions for real-life landscape
problems. Case study examples will be explored in depth within small groups, with the goal of boosting students’ hands-on knowledge of organic lawns and landscaping and how to transition to organic management with success, cost-efficiency and grace.
Cost: $100 for the general public; $75 for NOFA members and NOFA AOLCPs. Register online at www.nofamass.org. More info: Kathy Litchfield at (413) 773-3830 or Kathy@nofamass.org.

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Common Chickweed

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.

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Maryland Enacts Lawn Fertilizer Law

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

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SPRING Turf Tips

April 21st, 2011

The following are just a few tips to follow now that spring is finally here!
• Soil Test – to determine soil amendment needs (i.e. lime, organic matter, etc.) Apply as soon as practical; lime can take up to 6 months to have an effect. Soil test should provide information on pH, buffer pH, % organic matter, CEC, in addition to chemical analysis.
• Fertilize – with Renaissance All Natural Fertilizer once soil temperatures reach 50⁰. Doing so provides ready food source for the soil microbiology. For more information see The Value of Organic Fertilizers and How to Choose an Organic Fertilizer.
• Seeding – over-seed damaged bare and thin areas. Encouraging grass to grow in these areas rather than providing an opportunity for weeds to take hold.
• Mowing – make certain you start with sharp mower blades; the first cut of the season should be at 2 ½ inches, raising the height to 3 ½ inches over the next 1 – 2 cuts.

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When to Fertilize?

April 14th, 2011

For many of us in the Northeast, the answer would be now. Or at least as soon as you can. Remnants of the April 1st snow storm have left. Longer, sunnier days are beginning to warm the soil temperature. In many areas soil temps are in the forties and inching up. For those that have been treating their lawns organically for several years the soil biology is already waking up and becoming active.

The advantage of fertilizing with Renaissance All Natural fertilizer now is due to its water insoluble nature the nutrients are going to stick around to feed the soil biology as they wake up. This allows you to put it down now without worrying that spring showers will wash it away. Let’s face it your schedules aren’t going to lighten up anytime soon, so those things that you can get done now, you should.

Feed the soil now so that you can set up your program for success later this season. For more information see The Value of Organic Fertilizers and How to Choose an Organic Fertilizer.

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NOFA/MA Organic Lawns for Homeowners

March 24th, 2011

NOFA Massachusetts is running a series of workshops geared toward homeowners on organic lawn care at various locations around the state on Thursday, April 7th and Saturday, April 9th.

For more info click here

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The Grassroots Blog: Unwelcome Signs of Spring

March 22nd, 2011

thegrassrootsblog.blogspot.com
As the crocuses and daffodils bravely make their way out of the ground to signal the start of a new season, we know that other, less welcome signs of spring are probably not far behind. Those bright yellow pesticide application flags that spring up on neighborhood lawns and playing fields this time are sober . . .For the Rest of the Story

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Sustainable Community Forum

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

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