Synthetic Fertilizer Is So Last Century
According to a USDA study in 2001, approximately 70 – 80% of the synthetic fertilizers we put on our lawns runs off into the storm drains – where it runs directly into the Truckee River, causing problems downstream. Of the part that stays, about 10% over-feeds certain micro-organisms in the soil. These organisms need the nutrients plus organic material, humus, to survive. According to Toby Hemenway, with the glut of nutrients and likely not enough humus, the microbes begin to eat your turf and plants. Because of the use of synthetic fertilizers, the soil in most yards is very low in organic matter and is susceptible to nutritional deficiencies and disease.
This chemical approach to lawn care is expensive, environmentally unsound, requires fossil fuels and high temperatures to manufacture, and is wasteful. We recommend homeowners stop using synthetics altogether and switch to organic methods to nourish their yards and gardens. Using a specialized mulching lawnmower and leaving the trimmings on the lawn will provide between 25% and 50% of your lawn’s nutrient needs, supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium along with the necessary organic material not supplied by synthetics. The finely-ground clippings first dehydrate, then decompose, quickly disappearing from view.
Adding clover to your lawn will also provide much of the turf’s nitrogen needs. Clover is a legume, which is a nitrogen fixer. As such, it pulls atmospheric nitrogen into its roots, where it is available to feed the grass. A lawn consisting of 5 percent clover can create up to half of its own nitrogen needs per year.
Heirloom Gardens uses only organic methods to maintain your yard and garden. You can trust our understanding of the requirements of your plants and turf. Additionally, you can trust our commitment to organic and ecology based design and maintenance. We will not ever put synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides and herbicides anywhere.
Please call Valarie for a free quote at 775-250-2240 or email: valarie@heirloomgardensreno.com
Photo credit: Day 199 – Leon Playing by DaGoaty from Flickr via Creative Commons license.