Lawns

Pesticides

Lawn and garden chemicals include some of the most hazardous products in the home. Products that you use to kill insects, weeds, and fungal diseases may also be toxic to children, pets, birds, fish, and beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs. We often think of the wonderful healing qualities of plants and gardens, but fail to realize how much damage we can do using conventional gardening products. Use these eco-friendly, health friendly tips to control weeds in your garden without chemical herbicides that can cause serious health problems.

Use this recipe for weeds growing in sidewalk cracks and between bricks, but not in the garden (the plants will be killed).

• 1 cup salt
• teaspoon liquid detergent
• 1 gallon vinegar

Combine the ingredients in a bucket. Stir to blend. Sprinkle over weeds.

• Use a small shovel or your hands to pull out weeds. (You can compost the weeds to produce rich soil after you’ve removed them.)
• Lay down newspaper between rows, and a thick layer of mulch. This will prevent weed seeds from sprouting.
• For greatest ease, remove weeds when the soil is damp.
• It is easiest to remove younger weeds, so don’t let them get out of control. "Nip them in the bud," so to speak.
• Try to get all the roots. Damp soil makes this easier.

Fertilizers

Lawn and garden fertilizers provide nutrients that may not be supplied by the soil. But excess nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizers can be a source of water pollution.

• Build good soil. Healthy soil, rich in organic matter, grows healthier plants and reduces the need for additional fertilizers. Add compost to your soil to improve soil quality and increase populations of beneficial organisms.
• Make your own organic fertilizer.