Is it possible to have a lush, verdant lawn that's environmentally green, too?
Jennifer Sparling, for one, says yes -- and the organic lawn-care educator is hosting dozens of free workshops this summer through the Manitoba Eco-Network to get Winnipeggers on board.
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Ian Greaves spreads corn gluten meal on his organic lawn in Charleswood.
Shoppers who pick up organic veggies at the supermarket might not have considered applying the principles in their yards, but Sparling said it has a big environmental payoff.
"You start thinking about (your lawn) as a whole ecosystem, and it's sort of a smaller metaphor for a larger global situation," said the environmental science student. "You take care of your yard like that, and you might start thinking about how you impact the rest of the world."
Promoters of organic lawn care, which focuses in part on healthy plant roots and soil, say following the right regimen can mean fewer pests, lusher plants and less work.
They also cite the potential environmental and health problems of non-organic lawn care. Synthetic fertilizer, for example, eventually makes its way into rivers and lakes, where the nutrients contribute to algae blooms and otherwise alter marine ecosystems.
Organic advocates also point to studies that suggest pesticides could have negative health effects, with possible links to cancers and reproductive disorders.
The movement has its converts, like Ian Greaves, who used to load his lawn with synthetics and now chairs the Campaign for Pesticide Reduction.
Greaves said he was concerned about the health and environmental consequences of chemical lawn care on his family, and had three big reasons for going organic.
"Their names are Evan, Moira and Owen," he said of his children, aged 12, 10 and six.
Want to try organic lawn care? Here are 10 ways to make your lawn greener -- in more ways than one.
1) Choose natural fertilizer
Natural fertilizers include grass clippings, compost or well-aged manure, which can be used throughout the season, or slow-release organic fertilizers, best used later in the season or first thing in spring. Corn gluten meal is another natural fertilizer and pesticide. If used around mid-April, it prevents root development of weeds, but doesn't harm existing plants.
2) Recycle and topdress
Instead of collecting lawn clippings, leave them on the lawn. This increases fertility and keeps the soil moist and shaded. You can also topdress, or sprinkle finished compost on your lawn, raking it in for added nutrients.
3) Give your lawn some air
Is your grass overrun by dandelions? The soil might be too densely packed, said Sparling. To loosen things up, aerate the ground in spring or fall.
4) Mow smart
Try raising the blade on your lawn mower. Three inches is ideal for shading out weeds, keeping in moisture and encouraging strong roots, said Sparling. You should also sharpen the blade once a year. And of course, self-powered push mowers are a greener alternative to gas-powered mowers.
5) Trim lightly
Aim to cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blades. Chopping more causes plant stress, making your lawn more susceptible to weeds, said Sparling.
6) Go heavy on the seeds...
To keep your lawn vibrant, overseed annually. Pick grasses that are suited to your yard conditions -- and don't be afraid to try a new, hardier variety.
7) ...and easy on the water
Most lawns need just an inch of water weekly. If rain's not enough, water deeply once a week. Mornings are best.
8) Keep an eye on pests
If your lawn is infested or diseased, look for natural treatments at informed garden centres. You can also check with the Manitoba Eco-Network, or look online.
9) Ditch the lawn
To cut down on maintenance, consider replacing part or all of your lawn with a garden, or converting a patch to native tall grass prairie.
10) Hire the pros
Don't have time to baby your lawn? Winnipeg has a number of lawn-care companies that advertise organic programs, including Nutri-Lawn, Eco Green for Lawns and Trees, and Enviro Masters Lawn Care.
Even more...
* The Manitoba Eco-Network is hosting free organic lawn-care workshops this June and July around the city. To find one in your area, check out the full list at www.winnipegfreepress.com
* Call 925-3777 for more compost information or visit http://www.
resourceconservation.
mb.ca
Free organic lawncare workshops
Want to learn more about organic lawncare? The Manitoba Eco-Network is hosting a series of free workshops around the city this June and July. Heres a full list:
Monday June 4 River Heights Library 1520 Corydon Ave
Tuesday June 5 Cornish Library - 20 West Gate
Thursday June 7 St. Boniface Library 100-131 boul. Provencher
Monday June 11 St. Johns Library 500 Salter St
Wednesday June 13 Sir William Stephenson Library 765 Keewatin St
Thursday June 14 West Kildonan Library 365 Jefferson Ave
Monday June 18 St. Vital Library 6 Fermor Ave
Tuesday June 19 Pembina Trail Library 2724 Pembina Hwy
Tuesday June 26 Fort Garry Library 1360 Pembina Hwy
Thursday June 28 Louis Riel Library 1168 Dakota St
Tuesday July 3 Henderson Library 1-1050 Henderson Hwy
Wednesday July 4 Millennium Library 251 Donald St
Monday July 9 St. James Assiniboia Library 1910 Portage Ave
Tuesday July 10 Transcona Library 111 Victoria Ave W
Thursday July 12 Munroe Library 489 London St
Monday July 16 Westwood Library 66 Allard Ave
Tuesday July 17 West End Library 823 Ellice Ave
Thursday July 19 Osborne Library 625 Osborne St (Fort Rouge Leisure Centre)
All the above workshops run from 7 p.m to 8 p.m.
A bonus noon-hour workshop will be held Wednesday, June 13, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Millennium Library 251 Donald Street (Carol Shields Auditorium).
To register, or for more information, call 947-6511 and ask for Jennifer Sparling, or visit http://www.mbeconetwork.org/projects_lawncare.asp.
What about gardens?
Not surprisingly, plenty of the same ideas behind organic lawn care can be applied to your garden.
And if you have a green thumb -- and an open mind -- your garden can be attractive and low-maintenance, said Dave Hanson, co-owner of organic garden centre Sage Garden Herbs.
Hanson said going organic requires a more eclectic approach, which includes working with the strengths of Manitoba's climate, focusing on healthy roots and interplanting, for starters.
"You're just going to see that the results are a healthier, more vibrant garden," he said.
Here are a few tips from Hanson to start greening your garden:
Fertilize organically:
Just like lawns, organic gardens need -- you guessed it -- organic fertilizer. "There are fantastic organic fertilizers available that are affordable, easy to use, and they really work well," said Hanson. Two brands are Grotek Total Nourish and a kelp-based product called Sea Magic.
Aim for diversity:
Try mixing up herbs, vegetables and perennials, instead of planting large patches of the same plant (known as monocultures). This can mean a higher yield and significantly fewer pests and disease problems, said Hanson.
Start composting:
Compost keeps kitchen scraps and organic waste out of landfills, and is a rich fertilizer for gardens.
Shop in the right place:
If your thumb's a little less than green, experienced staff at a knowledgeable garden centre can be a big help.
Composting
Compost is one of the best ways to fertilize lawns and gardens with material that's already on hand. But if you've never tried it, getting it right can be daunting. Here's how to get started:
Where do I start?
A compost heap needs alternating layers of "brown" and "green" materials. Carbon-rich brown materials include wood chips, sawdust, or dried grass, and nitrogen-rich green materials include leaves, flowers or kitchen scraps like vegetable peels.
What kind of bin should I use?
You can buy a commercial plastic bin, but a wooden bin or a wire mesh enclosure works too. You can even pile compost in your backyard in a well-drained place. Apartment-dwellers can also consider vermicomposting -- that is, composting with the help of worms.
And then what?
When the bin is full, stop adding new material, and keep the pile aerated and moist, but not too wet. Turn or mix three to five times during the season if you have a wooden bin, and every few weeks with a plastic bin. By the end of the season, the compost should be finished -- which means it resembles rich soil and smells earthy.
Coming events
The City of Winnipeg is holding a one-day compost bin sale on Saturday, May 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the St. James Civic Centre, Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, Garden City Shopping Centre
and St. Vital Centennial Arena.
Bins are $25 each.
Share your opinions on chemical lawn
treatment with the Ad-Hoc Committee on
Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction on Tuesday, May 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at city hall. To register, call 986-2454 or email wgulenchyn@winnipeg.ca.
The way to greener greenery
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