DOCSLIB.ORG

SAFER LAWNS Presentation Based on Training Given by Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics Differences Between Conventional and Organi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
SAFER LAWNS Presentation Based on Training Given by Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics Differences Between Conventional and Organi SAFER LAWNS Presentation based on training given by Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics Differences between conventional and organic approach to lawn care: Conventional lawn care: ● Conventional approach just treats symptoms ● Conventional approach focuses on products. Which product do I use for _____? ● The conventional approach focuses on the above ground parts of plant and makes judgements based on that. EARLY DAYS OF ORGANIC LAWN MANAGEMENT used a similar approach. It attempted product for product replacement. It was not too successful. Organic lawn care: Takes a systems approach to lawn care. It considers the grass to be part of a living system that includes underground parts (roots) as well as the air and the soil with all of its inorganic and living components. (This includes soil organisms such as earthworms, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa.) All are important in the nutrient cycling that characterizes the systems approach. Bacteria in soil can take nitrogen from air and make it available to plants. Soil organisms break down organic material in the soil, slowly releasing nutrients and making it available to the plants. Systems approach requires 1. Basic understanding of soil biology 2. Exclusive use of natural organic products that provide sustained/long-term benefit 3. Revised cultural practices Instead of fast acting water soluble fertilizers, the systems approach utilizes soil inputs (like compost) that break down over time and have a sustained beneficial effect. Ultimately, you need fewer inputs (out of a bag) because the organisms in your living soil are providing much of what the plants need. Transition out of conventional, chemical based lawn care over 3 years: Year 1: DO NOT FOCUS ON GETTING RID OF WEEDS! Instead, you should: “Change soil to get grass to grow” ​ “Feed soil, not plants” “Focus on soil system and nutrient cycling” “Improve soil chemistry & build biological life” (All quotes from Chip Osborne) Sustainability occurs between years 2 and 3 when inputs can be reduced because the soil is now living and healthy and creating many of its own nutrients. May need fertilizer (products containing >2.5% nitrogen) at first. Otherwise, emphasis on ‘soil amendments’ to feed soil Major Inputs (Soil Amendments) used in an organic care program: 1.Molasses ( feeds bacteria) 2.Humic acid (feeds fungi) 3.Compost/ Compost Tea* “Fundamental to the organic approach”* ​ 4.Kelp 5.Fish hydrolysate Fertilizers: Look for compost or organic slow release fertilizers at your local nursery or order online. A ​ ​ few fertilizers, such as Ringer® Lawn Restore®, are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute, www.saferbrand.com. Other sources: North Country Organics - www.norganics.com. Others choices include Peaceful Valley Farm Supply www.groworganic.com, Down To Earth’s Bio Turf - www.downtoearthdistributors.com, and Harmony Farm www.harmonyfarm.com Soil Testing In order to find out what your soil and your system needs, Chip recommends starting with a basic soil test. This give you your pH and soil texture: ●6.5-7.0 is ideal pH for turfgrass ●Ability of plant to take up nutrients depends on pH pH lower than 6 results in decreased phosphorus uptake. ●The relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay (mineral portion of soil) are what give soil its texture. Different soil textures have different properties (drainage, water holding ability) ●A loamy texture soil has nearly equal parts of sand, silt, and clay. ●Different size particles result in different sized soil pores (spaces between soil particles). ●Pores allow for water and air movement and are used by soil microorganisms. They improve soil ​ structure to allow oxygen in soil spaces. The grass requires oxygen. Compaction reduces or eliminates ​ the soil spaces and can lead to anaerobic conditions. The lawn can even smell rotten if anaerobic bacteria have set up shop due to lack of oxygen in soil. Not a healthy condition. Use a screwdriver to see if your soil is compacted. If you can get 4-6” in = good soil, otherwise compacted and needs aeration ​ ●6% organic matter desired in soil CSU offers basic soil tests - $35 http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/ Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Lab at CSU: 970-491-5061, [email protected] ​ You can pick up tests at local garden centers: 1. O’Tooles, 1404 Quail St, Lakewood 2. Youngs Market, 9400 W 44th Ave, Wheat Ridge 3. Echter’s, 5150 Garrison St, Arvada 4. Bedrock Landscaping Materials, Denver Or Jeffco Cooperative Extension Elemental sulfur is used to decrease pH Gypsum helps break up clay soil & improves soil structure (without changing pH) Soil test for biological life Chip also recommends additional soil testing for biological life. This tests for: Fungi Bacteria Ratio of Fungi to Bacteria Protozoa Nematodes Mycorrhizal Fungi Cost is in the $125 range, but he claims that the price is coming down….. He uses this lab: Soil Foodweb New York http://soilfoodwebnewyork.com 631-750-1553 [email protected] Importance of soil organisms ●Balanced bacteria/fungi ratios favorable for grass growth ●Where numbers of protozoa decrease, so does nutrient availability ●Protozoa cannot survive in compacted soil ●Nematodes: Most are beneficial and inhibit root feeding (bad) nematodes. Nematocides non-selective ●Earthworms are very good for soil! Nitrogen fixing bacteria increase in soils surrounding earthworm casts and nitrogen is much more readily available to plants in castings. Herbicide use negatively affects earthworm populations ●Mycorrhizal fungi facilitate nutrient uptake in plants Results of biological components test help you understand what inputs to use to feed soil organisms and improve nutrient cycling. Follow recommendations from lab to achieve optimal conditions for the desired plant species (grass). ● Prescription given by lab depends on specific conditions of site (which microbes are present/ratios of microbes, etc) ●Compost tea always recommended. Higher rates of application prescribed where nutrient cycling is lower. ●Molasses prescribed where bacterial activity low ●Humic acid prescribed where fungal activity low ●Sometimes fish hydrolysate also prescribed (where bacteria dominated and fungal activity low) ●MycoApply recommended for mycorrhizal inoculation where prescribed *Compost Tea is one of the foundations of a natural program* Cultural Practices used in the organic/systems approach Changing cultural practices goes a long way toward suppressing weeds and promoting vigorous grass growth by promoting a healthy and deep root system which uses water more efficiently. Taller grass keeps weed seeds shaded and helps prevent them from germinating. ● Sharp blade on mower ● Mow tall- set to about 3” ■ Never take off more than ⅓ of the blade to avoid stressing grass. ■ Leave grass clippings (after transition and after you have developed healthy soil) ● Water less frequently but for longer periods of time--encourages deep root growth--”longer blade/deeper roots” ● Use compost tea regularly (*the foundation of the organic program*) ● In October/November, cut grass shorter (2” or shorter) ● In Fall: ○ Aerate ○ Dethatch if necessary ○ Topdress compost ⅛-¼” deep over lawn after aeration ■ Ideal compost is 35-50% organic material ○ Overseed Adjust expectations…. Systems approach will result in fewer weeds….but there may be some. Consider being more open to dandelions and remember that kids love them, and dandelions provide food for bees in spring before they have other forage. Clover used to be ADDED to lawns because it grows with nitrogen fixing bacteria that take nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it available to clover. Clover roots ‘leak’ nitrogen which becomes available to the grass. Having some weeds can be a good thing for pollinators and people alike! .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility About the Scott Arboretum
    Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility Proper diversity and concentrations of microinvertebrates, including fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes, are critical to successful nutrient cycling in the soil. By supplementing and nurturing these populations, we can capacitate the soil’s natural nutrient cycle, rather than depending on infusions of synthetic nutrients every season. At the project’s inception, the struggling soil ecosystem in Mertz Lawn generated about 40 pounds of plant-available nitrogen per acre- - not nearly enough to support idyllic green turf without recurring supplementation. In contrast, the organisms in the college’s compost pile were, themselves, producing over 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre, thanks to the rich supply of organic feedstocks and the moist, oxygenated environment. This is more nitrogen than required by the average synthetic fertility program. By transforming the site into a healthier habitat for soil organisms and About the Scott Arboretum introducing a larger, more diverse community of The Scott Arboretum is a green oasis uniquely situated on the microbes, the soil will Swarthmore College campus. Over 300 acres create the College landscape become naturally fertile, and provide a display of the best ornamental plants recommended for giving rise to a naturally Delaware Valley gardens. beautiful lawn. Established in 1929 as a living memorial to Arthur Hoyt Scott, Class of Compost and Compost Tea 1895, through a bequest from his family, the Arboretum continues to thrive today. There are over 4,000 different kinds of plants grown on Garden trimmings and food scraps from the College are transported the campus, selected for their outstanding ornamental qualities, ease of to a local municipal facility where they are mixed and turned in long, maintenance, and resistance to disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Reviews 2005)
    regulations impose guidelines to maintain aesthetic property values, which often influence homeowners’ needs to maintain lawns (Jenkins, 1994). However, arguably the most influential is the social pressure from neighbors who often ensure enforce- ment of lawn regulations, to which homeowners often conform (Byrne, Reviews 2005). There are an estimated 40 million acres of nonnative grass lawns in the United States, covering almost 2% of land, making it the largest irrigated monoculture plant system in the coun- try (Milesi et al., 2005; Tallamy, A Review of Organic Lawn Care Practices and 2007). Lawns are often high-input systems, requiring significant amounts Policies in North America and the Implications of time, monetary, and chemical in- vestments to maintain aesthetic prop- of Lawn Plant Diversity and Insect Pest erty value (Robbins et al., 2001). The prevalence of turf cover throughout Management the United States and a low tolerance for weed and insect pests coincides Sam Marshall1,4, David Orr1, Lucy Bradley2, with an increase in the use of synthetic chemicals (Alumai et al., 2008). Con- and Christopher Moorman3 ventional lawn management strategies are calendar-based applications of syn- thetic chemical inputs of fertilizers, ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. turfgrass, landscape herbicides, and insecticides (Alumai SUMMARY. There are 40 million acres of turfgrass lawns throughout the United et al., 2008; Bormann et al., 1993) States, most of which are managed under chemical-intensive pest and fertilizer and have been associated with environ- programs. ‘‘Organic lawn care’’ is being adopted more widely; however, unlike the mental pollution and human health formally defined policies and regulations that govern organic agriculture, the label risks [Robbins and Sharp, 2003a; organic lawn management has not been formally defined and is used to describe U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • City Council Workshop Agenda Item #2 February 29, 2016 Pesticides Ordinance at the June 8, 2015 Workshop, the Council Heard a Pr
    City Council Workshop Agenda Item #2 February 29, 2016 Pesticides Ordinance At the June 8, 2015 workshop, the Council heard a presentation put together by Protect South Portland around the use of pesticides. Protect South Portland was joined by Jay Feldman, from Beyond Pesticides in Washington DC; Chip Osborne, of Osborne Organics LLC in Marblehead, MA; and Mary Cerullo, Associate Director, of the Friends of Casco Bay. Each talked about the harmful effects of pesticide use and the negative impacts to the environment. Alternative methods were presented as a means of providing another way for lawn care/vegetation maintenance. The City Council voiced support for pursuing a pesticide ordinance and various types of ordinances were presented and discussed at the July 13, 2015 workshop. A pesticide ordinance committee consisting of Sustainability Coordinator Julie Rosenbach, Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Acting Director Sarah Neuts and Stormwater Program Coordinator Fred Dillon was created and proposed ordinance language was developed (attached), which will be discussed at next Monday’s workshop. Included is a memorandum from Julie Rosenbach which includes an outline of the process taken to develop the ordinance. The committee members will be at Monday’s meeting to answer any questions. ___________________________ City Manager SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE JULIE A. ROSENBACH Sustainability Coordinator To: James H. Gailey, City Manager From: Julie Rosenbach, South Portland Sustainability Coordinator CC: Fred Dillon, South Portland Stormwater Program Coordinator Sarah Neuts, Acting Director, Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Date: February 22, 2016 Subject: Draft Ordinance to Ban the use of Pesticides Following a City Council Workshop this past summer on organic landscaping and lawn care practices (June 8, 2015) and subsequent workshop to review different types of pesticide ordinances (July 13, 2015), the City Council directed staff to develop an ordinance that greatly reduces and potentially eliminates the use of synthetic pesticides throughout most of the City.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Organic Lawn Care for Ohio Jane C
    Extension HYG-4031-04 FHorticultureactSheet and Crop Science, 2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, OH 43210-1096 Natural Organic Lawn Care for Ohio Jane C. Martin, Franklin County Horticulture Agent Alyn Eickholt, Franklin County Master Gardener Joanne Dole, Franklin County Master Gardener Going Organic and top-dressing with compost. Recommendations for a com- More people are asking for information regarding organic pletely natural organic approach are therefore based on years lawn care. Many people want to decrease or eliminate the use of collective experience. of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in their home lawns. There A few topics addressed here are covered more fully in other is concern that some of these products may be harmful to hu- Ohio State University Extension fact sheets, which are listed at mans, beneficial insects, wildlife, and pets. With proper knowl- the end of this fact sheet. edge, the homeowner can use naturally occurring resources to maintain a home lawn without using synthetic products. Switching From Conventional to Natural The term “conventional lawn care” as used in this fact sheet Organic Lawn Care implies the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that are The first step in switching from conventional to natural or- applied by the homeowner or a lawn care service. Natural or- ganic lawn care is to assess the quality of the existing lawn. If ganic lawn care is different from conventional lawn care. Soil an existing lawn contains few weeds and consists of desirable can be improved by adding organic matter such as compost turfgrass species, natural organic methods and cultural prac- (made from plant wastes), certain animal manures (chiefly tices can maintain a satisfactory lawn.
    [Show full text]
  • Organic Lawn Management
    SERVICE DETAILS ORGANIC LAWN MANAGEMENT SOIL TESTING Our program begins with a soil test, which will give us enough information to customize a plan that meets the needs of the soil. Soil amendments are used to maintain the appropriate nutrient levels and correct PH balance in the soil. Many New Englanders will apply limestone every year without testing the soil to determine if it is needed. It is also important to know how much to apply and what type, calcium or magnesium. We can determine the appropriate inputs by interpreting the results of a soil test. *As your test results come back our team of turf managers will analyze and send you optimal add-ons to improve your soil. The principals of organic lawn management can be defined as a systems approach. FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS It’s more than just a product driven Cool season turfgrass requires more inputs than nature can provide, program and has become the which is why we supplement with organic slow release fertilizers. We standard in conventional turfgrass custom blend our fertilizers with the proper nutrients, but also include management. microbial and beneficial organisms, which are necessary to maintain a healthy soil life. We may apply a granular or a liquid to the lawn, We consider more than just feeding depending on the needs of the soil and the time of season we are the grass, it all begins with the soil. in. Organic fertilizers break down with an active soil biology, it is not dependent on water like in a conventional program. If you create a healthy soil it will sustain a healthy lawn with less inputs needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Gardening MOUNTAINS NEWS Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Involves Cocorahs Creating a System of Continual Reuse
    Extension Gardener SUMMER 2016 Sustainable Gardening MOUNTAINS NEWS Sustainable landscape maintenance involves CoCoRaHS creating a system of continual reuse. For exam- ple, often homeowners purchase fertilizer, apply Benefiting from it to the lawn, collect and discard grass clippings, permaculture design and then purchase more fertilizer. In a sustain- Moles or voles? able landscape system, the nitrogen from the fertilizer is reused by leaving the grass clippings Organic lawn management on the lawn or composting them. Permaculture is a comprehensive, self-sustain- ing gardening system (see the article on page STATE NEWS 2 of this newsletter), and there are also many individual steps you can take to increase the Sustainable gardening sustainability of your landscape. Mexican bush sage Re-use the nutrients in grass clippings by mow- Buttercup squash ing with a mulching blade that cuts the grass into tiny pieces. The clippings can be left on the lawn Sustainable gardening with to break down quickly and return their nutrients Vermicomposting recycles organic waste. beneficial insects back to the soil. This can reduce fertilizer costs ©Dee Edwards-Smith, creativecommons.org, CC-BY-SA by about 25 percent each year. Grasscycling also helps to build a healthy soil by feeding soil and sun-loving plants in the sun, and putting Extension Gardener provides microbes. plants that thrive in wet conditions in moist areas timely, research-based horticultural and those that do well in dry conditions in the information. We publish four issues Pine straw, pine bark, hardwood mulch, and dry areas. Doing so will result in less need for per year. Send comments about fallen leaves can be re-used as organic mulches Extension Gardener to: supplemental watering.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property
    Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property By Sarah Little, Ph. D. NOFA Organic Land Care Program - Naturally Beautiful Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property By Sarah Little, Ph. D. Northeast Organic Farming Association Organic Land Care Program (NOFA OLC) CT NOFA www.organiclandcare.net [email protected] 203-308-2584 June 2016 Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property © Sarah Little, Ph.D. NOFA Organic Land Care Program Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, Inc. (CT NOFA) www.organiclandcare.net [email protected] 203-308-2584 This 2nd edition includes minor updates, improvements and corrections. The original work, published in 2011, was supported, in part, with funding from the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center (NortheastIPM.org) and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Northeastern IPM Center fosters the development and adoption of IPM, a science-based approach to managing pests in ways that generate economic, environmental, and human health benefits. The Center works in partnership with stakeholders from agricultural, urban, and rural settings to identify and address regional priorities for research, education, and outreach. Material in this booklet is built, in part, upon the NOFA Organic Land Care Standards, 5th edition, 2011, contributors: Kimberly Stoner, Donald Bishop, Dwight Brooks, Christian Curless, Sharon Douglas, Bill Duesing, Don Franczyk, Lori Gibson, Todd Harrington, Marion Larson, Sarah Little, Michael Nadeau, Cynthia Rabinowitz, Amy Vickers, and Scott Williams. The author gratefully acknowledges the generous and helpful input from the following people: Timothy Abbey, Bill Duesing, Brian Caldwell, Christian Curless, Daniel Gilrein, Douglas Hersh, Ashley Kremser, Mary Owen, Ann McGovern, Jenna Messier, and Kimberly Stoner.
    [Show full text]
  • Determinants of Households' Adoption of Organic Pesticides: Evidence from Missouri
    Determinants of Households’ Adoption of Organic Pesticides: Evidence from Missouri Lan Tran, University of Missouri-Columbia ([email protected]) Laura McCann, University of Missouri-Columbia, ([email protected]) and Dong Won Shin, Korea Environment Institute ([email protected]) Selected Paper prepared for presentation at the 2019 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, July 21-23 Copyright 2019 by [authors]. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any means, provided that this copyright notice appears on all such copies. Abstract This study investigates determinants of household’s adoption of organic pesticides in lawn care management using evidence from a mail survey in Missouri. Residential lawns in Missouri often are damaged from weeds and insects and organic pesticides would be one solution for natural, organic or integrated pest management (IPM) lawn care. Using a set of demographic characteristics, environmental attitudes, perception of neighborhood attitudes, time spent on lawn care and other yard work habits, the study employs a multinomial logistic model given the unique dataset. We find that the relative risk ratio of being in the adopter category would be from 3 to 18 times more likely for more serious environmental concerns, and 0.096-0.463 times more likely for more time spent on lawn care with respect to non-adopters who had never heard of organic pesticides and non- adopters know them well, respectively. Critically, people who know organic pesticides well agreed with neighbor’s aesthetic concern are more likely to be non-adopters by the relative probability of 1.54.
    [Show full text]
  • South Portland City Council Position Paper of the City Manager
    Agenda Item # 21 Meeting of April 4, 2016 South Portland City Council Position Paper of the City Manager Subject: ORDINANCE #9-15/16 – Amending the Code of Ordinances establishing Chapter 32, “Pesticide Use Ordinance”. First reading. Passage requires majority vote. Position: At the June 8, 2015 workshop, the Council heard a presentation put together by Protect South Portland around the use of pesticides. Protect South Portland was joined by Jay Feldman, from Beyond Pesticides in Washington DC; Chip Osborne, of Osborne Organics LLC in Marblehead, MA; and Mary Cerullo, Associate Director, of the Friends of Casco Bay. Each talked about the harmful effects of pesticide use and the negative impacts to the environment. Alternative methods were presented as a means of providing another way for lawn care/vegetation maintenance. The City Council voiced support for pursuing a pesticide ordinance and various types of ordinances were presented and discussed at the July 13, 2015 workshop. A pesticide ordinance committee consisting of Sustainability Coordinator Julie Rosenbach, Parks Superintendant Sarah Neuts and Stormwater Coordinator Fred Dillon was created and proposed ordinance language was developed, which was presented and discussed at the February 29, 2016 workshop. Since the February Council workshop, staff have continued to work on the Pesticide Use Ordinance in preparation for first reading on Monday. The following documents are attached to this Position Paper. Please refer to these document for a full understanding of the process and what is included within the Ordinance. 1) Summary of Ordinance for First Reading 2) Memorandum of Changes and Clarifications since Workshop 3) Expert's letters pertaining to Golf Course 4) Proposed Pesticides Use Ordinance 5) Process Memorandum Requested Action: Council passage of first reading and set April 20, 2016 for second reading and action.
    [Show full text]
  • Board of Pesticides Control Commissioner 28 State House Station Henry S
    STATE OF MAINE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY WALTER E. WHITCOMB BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL COMMISSIONER 28 STATE HOUSE STATION HENRY S. JENNINGS DIRECTOR PAUL R. LEPAGE AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0028 GOVERNOR BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL May 13, 2016 AMHI Complex, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Room 118, Augusta, Maine NOTE NEW LOCATION AGENDA 8:30 AM 1. Introductions of Board and Staff 2. Minutes of the March 25, 2016 Board Meeting Presentation By: Henry Jennings Director Action Needed: Amend and/or Approve 3. Overview of Mosquito-borne Diseases and Monitoring in Maine The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) coordinates state activities around preventing vector-borne diseases. As part of its responsibilities, the CDC coordinates mosquito and disease monitoring in Maine. The presence of mosquito-borne diseases and the species of vector mosquitoes present in Maine have been on the rise in recent years. Sara Robinson of the Maine CDC will provide an overview of the trends and the state’s monitoring program. Presentation By: Sara Robinson, MPH Epidemiologist, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Action Needed: None – Informational Only 4. Review and Discussion of Board Homeowner Education Efforts and Available Funding Over the last several months, the Board discussed various ideas and approaches for improving education of homeowners on the use of Integrated Pest Management and the proper use of pesticides. The Board subsequently directed the staff to make homeowner education a priority for 2016. The staff will provide an update to the Board about recent activities and discuss additional ideas and available funding.
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking the American Lawn © 2009 Bio-Integral Resource Center
    of Publication25th Year VOLUME XXV, NUMBER 1, WINTER 2009 Rethinking the American Lawn © 2009 Bio-Integral Resource Center. All rights reserved. ISSN 8756-7881 Common Sense Pest Control XXV(1) Winter 2009 2 Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707 Making a Lawn Really Green By William Quarles he suburban lawn has become a symbol of com- munity, personal identity, self esteem, and sta- T tus. Community pressure may have caused you to sweat with seeding, overseeding, aerating, dethatch- explosion of home and garden magazines touting the ing, fertilizing, mowing, fighting hungry insects and perfect lawn. Many of these were supported by pesti- aggressive weeds. The perfect lawn may have become cide ads (Jenkins 1994; Robbins 2007). such an obsession that you can maintain it only by It was one quick step to chemical lawn management polluting the environment with a chemical cocktail of companies. ChemLawn was founded in 1968 in Troy, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and synthetic fertil- Ohio and built its business entirely on applications of izers (Jenkins 1994; Robbins 2007). liquid fertilizers and pesticides. By 1998, it had two But there may be a better way. The purpose of this million customers and more than $142 million in sales article is to briefly review the history of the American (Jenkins 1994; Steinberg 2006). lawn, list some problems with lawn chemicals, describe Today there are about 58 million lawns covering 25 alternatives to chemical management, and to suggest million acres. An additional 15 million acres of turf- alternative landscape designs. We hope to convince grass covers roadside landscaping, 16,000 golf courses landscape professionals that an organic or IPM lawn and 700,000 playing fields.
    [Show full text]
  • Drew Gilpin Faust Leading Harvard in Challenging Times
    CriminalizingCriminalizing RaceRace •• CommencementCommencement •• PoisoningPoisoning thethe OceansOceans JULY-AUGUST 2018 • $4.95 Drew Gilpin Faust Leading Harvard in challenging times Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746 MANAGING THE FUTURE OF WORK TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE IS TODAY’S CHALLENGE Advancements in technology, shifting markets, and the gig economy are changing the very nature of work. With this challenge in mind, Harvard Business School Executive Education is launching a new program, Managing the Future of Work. Based on the latest research into the forces reshaping workforce demographics, this program is designed to help employers remain competitive by thinking strategically about today’s evolving business landscape. Managing the Future of Work 21–24 OCT 2018 Learn more www.exed.hbs.edu Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746 180706_HBS_ExecEd.indd 1 5/17/18 9:27 AM JULY-AUGUST 2018, VOLUME 120, NUMBER 6 FEATURES 39 The “Global Chemical Experiment” | by Courtney Humphries Elsie Sunderland maps ocean pollutants—and their effects on human health 44 Vita: Moorfield Storey | by Geoffrey D. Austrian Brief life of a patrician reformer: 1845-1929 p. 14 46 Faust in Focus | by John S. Rosenberg A Harvard presidency during challenging times 57 Writing Crime into Race | by Lydialyle Gibson Khalil Muhammad plumbs the history of Americans’ racialized ideas about crime JOHN HARVARD’S JOURNAL 14 The picture-perfect 367th Commencement celebrated Harvard’s twenty-eighth president, amid politically uncertain times. Plus a voice coach, the Law School’s immigration clinic, seasonal views of the Arboretum, biodiversity at Walden Pond, Corporation changes, S.
    [Show full text]