Comments on: Florida Restricts Phosphate Fertilizers To Improve Water Quality

By: William

William — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:56:51 +0000

The real problem about our present fertilizer practices is all about whats really wrong with all our environmental management we humans think we can do better than “Mother Nature”. Until we understand what Nature needs we will alway be Closing the barn after the horses got out. Through microdosing of Beneficial microbes, use of naturally organic NPK’s with ocean harvested microneutrients and moisture managing humectant compounds we can still have beautiful environments and only apply what is needed at the time it’s needed. The practice of once a year or once every 60 days must become a thing of the past. The practice of microdosing is in use already and in our community as we speak. Check out http://www.Itsecomagic.com for some state of the art in ” Mother Nature Love” And about the ban that only will last for 4 months……..Any HEALTHY landscape environment WILL handle it without missing a beat. We over water, over feed. “If a little is good, so alot is better” This must stop.

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:02:44 +0000

Another way to get homeowners to care about and act on reducing pollution by using less herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer, and while there at it, conserve water by not needing as much, is to focus on plant and insect and wildlife diversity. A diverse landscape is preferable to a solid green lawn in many ways. I saw a long tailed skipper butterfly lay eggs on Desmodium (http://butterflies.heuristron.net/plants/desmodium.html ), one of my most hated weeds, and it became one of my favorite plants. That got me to thinking about the diversity in my yard. Instead of wasting a lot of time, effort, oil, and gas taking out a tree stump the hurricanes left me, I planted Passiflora suberosa by it and let it cover it up. The stump acts like a trellis for the vine, the vine hides the stump, and three butterflies use that vine as a host plant so I have lots more butterflies now. As I’ve added native plants (you don’t have to water native plants as much; they’re used to their home climate), and preserved little hidden corners for the weeds I’ve noticed that the butterflies use, and quit worrying about the weeds in my lawn, I’ve seen my dragonfly populations go up (dragonflies eat mosquitoes!), and oddly enough I have fewer fire ant hills. I’m still trying to figure out which bug is eating those. I toss on a gentle application of fertilizer a couple of times a year, less than half of the recommended spread rate, and I don’t spray for weeds or bugs. It’s great! I have more butterflies (the butterflies and other insects need a variety of plants, not just grass), more mockingbirds (they eat butterflies), and more time to spend outside enjoying my creatures instead of spending so much of it trying to completely replace their habitat with a grass only lawn. I also have more money, because I’m not spending on pesticides and herbicides I’ve discovered I’m happier not using.

By: Aviva Glaser

Aviva Glaser — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:15:16 +0000

Hi Bill-

Check out Safety Source, Beyond Pesticides directory of least toxic service providers to find a company near you. http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pcos/findapco.htm. We have a number of companies listed in Florida. Always remember to talk to the company first about how they will treat your lawn or take care of your pest control company and advocate for non- and least toxic alternatives to be used. If you know of any other local companies using least or non-toxic control methods, please let us know.

-Aviva

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:49:25 +0000

Anyone recommend an organic lawn care company in St. Petersburg?