Organic Lawn and Garden
Organic Lawn health warning: screen your lawn for Brown's Grass Disease and grasseoporosis
Last week, I reported on taking my car to the doctor and how my doctor taught me that the car actually has certain automobile health diseases that need to be treated. (What would happen if doctors were car mechanics) I learned all about the big con of the prevention industry -- the people who change your oil and who flush out your transmission fluid, and all these other con artists out there to try to "prevent" car problems. Thankfully, my doctor completely re-educated me about the truth about automobile health. I thought, "That's great. I learned so much from this guy. Let's talk to him about the health of my lawn." I’ve been having some lawn problems, and I'm spending a fortune trying to get people to come over and take care of my lawn. I think they were overcharging me. I  was so impressed by this doctor that I thought he might be able to help me out. I took in a patch of grass to the doctor, and explained that my lawn was turning brown in the summer. I didn't know why, but the color just changed. It was green in the spring, then it turned brown. "Am I doing something wrong? Does it maybe need more water?"I asked my doctor. "No Mike. Your lawn has Brown’s Grass Disease," he responded. He said, "It's very common.It's all over the country, all around the world, in fact. You'd be amazed how many people have Brown’s Grass Disease, and usually it's undiagnosed," he said. "Wow, that's kind of scary," I said. "Yes, what we know in the medical community is that this is a pigmentation disorder," he explained. It has a genetic origin, in fact, because all grass pigments are based on genetics," he said. He also said that it was cyclical, and that at certain times of the year, certain species of grass will actually just change their color. Read entire article
gardenUnder watering dehydrates your plants.
Under watering dehydrates your plants. This creates stress and can lead to weakened and susceptible plants. Mulching can help with both of these problems. Water your plants deeply about once a week, depending on rainfall, more often in really hot weather. Make sure the water penetrates to a depth of about25mm(an inch).
Mulching This is a great way to prevent soil erosion, add organic matter to the soil and reduce evaporation. However, you need to leave space around the base of each plant. Mulching right up to plant stems encourages disease and rot to set in. Leave a 50mm (2 inches) between the mulch and the stem. You don't need to mulch any deeper than 75mm (3 inches). Using inorganic fertilizers  Many inorganic fertilizers are heavy on salts, discourage (or kill) earthworms and soil micro-organisms, and only provide major nutrients.The nutrients give your plants a quick boost, but the fast, sappy growth is very attractive to pests. You might then be tempted to use pesticides (organic or other). Remember that it is better not to have a pest problem than try to solve it.
Inorganic fertilizers can contain heavy metals and other dangerous ingredients.Your plants will be much happier with natural slow release organic fertilizers and compost. These provide the major nutrients as well as trace elements in a form that your plants can use over an extended period. By feeding your soil (with compost and organic matter) you will provide your plants with long term food and create a better growing medium.Overuse of fertilizers Don't overdo it! More fertilizer is not better, even when it is organic. Too much can lead to excess plant growth. The magic comes from creating healthy, balanced soil.A general rule of thumb is to add about 25mm (1 inch) of compost to the soil. This should be enough to grow most annual vegetables and flowers. If you are mulching with compost, most plants will not need much more in the way of fertilizers. It's like eating right and taking vitamins... putting compost in the soil is getting the plants to eat right, adding fertilizer is like giving them a vitamin on top of eating right. You may need to use more compost or some organic fertilizer until you create good soil.It's a good idea to do a soil test to see if your soil is around the right pH.Without getting technical, no matter what your soil is like it will benefit greatly with the addition of organic matter. Over time you will achieve the right pH, just by continually adding compost.Failing to plan Planning is crucial to a successful organic veggie garden. You need to consider the placement of your crops. North facing in the southern hemisphere, south facing in the northern hemisphere is best. If your area is windy, you'll need to find solutions for this too. Having water close by is just as important. As well as installing an irrigation system with a timer. It will be the difference between enjoying your garden and being a slave to it! Knowing and catering to the needs of your family will help you decide what to plant and how many. If you are planting trees and shrubs, check what their eventual size is going to be. Many shrubs and trees are difficult to move. Trees will grow and make shade, so don't forget they do this and expect your sun loving flowers to still thrive in the shade. Trees can also grow into power lines, tear up footpaths and even destroy house foundations and septic tanks. Plan carefully before planting big trees.How To Reduce Pollution Using A Robotic Lawn Mower
Gas powered lawn mowers are serious environmental polluters Friendly Robotics Robo Mower 21-Inch 5.5 HP Auto Mower #RL850
It is common knowledge that gas powered lawn mowers are serious environmental polluters. It is estimated that 1 hour of lawn mower use equals driving an SUV 100 miles. Scotts 20-Inch Push Reel Mower #2000-20 Fertilizers and weed killers are contaminating our rivers and streams. WeedPharm - Organic Weed Killer We worry about terrorists attacking our water supply as we laydown the spring and fall weed-and-feed.
Even as more cities are putting on water restrictions, lawn sprinkler companies are hard pressed to keep up with demand. During the driest times one only has to drive a few blocks in the early morning to get a free car wash. Even in a pouring rain sprinklers systems are going full tilt.
So,what can we do to keep our yards looking nice without doing harm to the environment? Robotic lawn mowers are one answer.Robotic lawn mowers can mow on a schedule and return to the charging base by them selves all season long without human intervention. This has two benefits, the most obvious is more time to do other things. The second is the less time people spend doing yard work the less money they are going to spend on their yards. Translation: fewer herbicides and pesticides equals less underground water contaminates.
By allowing the grass to get too high and then cutting it too low causes thatch. Thatch is that long dead cut grass that smothers the roots and prevents the morning dew from reaching the tender roots on top.It also acts like a blanket in the hot sun. By cutting frequently, only the very tips of the grass are cut. Since the clippings are very small, they break downvery rapidly and become a natural fertilizer. This means the need for less water and less application fertilizer, yet a much lusher and greener yard. Robotic lawn mowers run on batteries, they burn no gas or oil. It is estimated that it costs only $7.00 a year in electricity to mow all season long. That is quite a savings! Due to higher quality components, robotic lawn mowers built today have a life expectancy of about 10 years, the same as a quality riding lawn mower.
In summary, robotic lawn mowers emit no pollution, are fully autonomous, and will dramatically reduce the need for watering and fertilizers while making your yard even more green and beautiful. Save the planet and save the sweat.Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments for both now and the indefinite future. It relates to the connection of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment. It is intended to be a means of balancing civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential today, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in a very long term. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local family to the entire planet. We must all strive to live a sustainable lifestyle!!
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