It’s that time of year for planting and taking care of our yards. It’s when we water and feed our grass to make our homes look their best. But what are you feeding your grass? Does it have a scull and cross bones on the back in tiny print? Probably not but you may be using something that should display that symbol. Turf builders, fertilizers and other products that “make your grass grow” contain harmful ingredients that you are putting on your grass- the same grass where your kids and pets play. Choosing organic lawn fertilizer reduces effects that pesticides have on our environment. When everyone uses “just a little” pesticide-it adds up. Think of the many many lawns just in your neighborhood now think of the many lawns in your town, then the state then the country. We are killing the planet with all the pesticides from bug sprays, lawncare and even sunscreen. The little bit of fertilizer on your lawn “runs off” into the sewers that go into the body of water that you swim in, you drink from etc. You eat the fish that swim in that water and the negative impact lasts lifetimes. There is a study which says using chemical sunscreens that come off in the water create PCB’s and contribute to male fish producing eggs! Yes male fish. The chemicals you use on yourself and your kids. Why are so many little girls developing at such an early age? Why are so many little boys having undescended testicles? The chemicals are hormone disruptors and make your body develop more estrogen. male or female. All these things that we can change in our daily habits can help. Buy chemical free sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Use organic fertilizer and keep your grass longer so it stays healthier. About 2.5-3.5 inches is recommended. Choosing the grass that is suited for your geographic location is also beneficial. Long Islanders should choose fescue grass seed, according to the Suffolk County Water Authority. They say it needs far less water and does very well on LI. This is information was obtained from the 2008 Drinking Water Quality Report that was recently mailed to every home in the county. In this report you can look up your neighborhood and get the water report test results. They test for arsenic, flouride, minerals, chemicals and many others. The explanation of certain toxins were due to - guess what? Herbicides and fertilizers that run off from lawncare. So the same water we drink and cook with is being poisoned for the love of a green lawn! Please think again before purchasing or using chemicals on your lawn. Home Depot and Leows sell organic fertilizer and it works great! A friend I will not identify has been yessing us for a few seasons when I would try and sway him but this year he did it and said his lawn never looked better! I promise you. You will be happy with the results and your family and the planet will be healthier too. Happy Summer!

Check out the water report at http://www.scwa.com/SCWA_AWQR.pdf