yummy chemical free lawns

Municipalities across Canada have either banned the use of pesticides and other chemicals for cosmetic use or -- like the City of Calgary -- are seriously considering such bans.

Lawn chemicals, including fertilizers, are the main targets of this legislation, which aims to protect the health of people, particularly children, and pets and to address serious water quality concerns about runoff laden with fertilizers and herbicide residue.

Lush lawns are possible without chemical fertilizers and herbicides, however -- try these superior practices to keep your lawn soft and attractive:

- Aerate heavily used lawns each spring. Lesser-used lawns could be aerated every couple of years. Use an aerator that punches holes and leaves visible plugs. Spikey shoe accessories don't work.

- Once a year, rake over about a centimetre of well-rotted manure or compost. Adding compost gives the soil a shot of much needed organics. The texture of the soil is also improved from rock-hard clay to softer feel underfoot, something chemical fertilizers can't do.

- Keep lawns mowed high (five centimetres) to preserve moisture. The last mowing in fall should be shorter.

- Leave clippings on lawns. This reduces the need for additional nitrogen by 25 per cent. Lawn clippings do not lead to thatch buildup.

- Dig large weeds using a "dandelion" digger. New gadgets, such as weed torches or diggers assisted by water, are helpful for people with reduced mobility.

From the Calgary Herald

painting liberals a pastel green

I came across this editorial from the Sudbury Star on Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's new pesticide ban:

Earlier this month, McGuinty mused about the idea of banning plastic bags at liquor stores. But there will be no ban on plastic bags at grocery stores. Users are being asked to participate in a voluntary reduction program instead.

So it wasn't until McGuinty announced that the province will ban the use of pesticides in many, but not all, places that he showed environmental gumption, but even then, the initiatives pales, because golf courses and the agricultural industry are exempt from the ban.

McGuinty promised the pesticide ban during last election campaign because of potential health hazards to children and pregnant women, which could lead to disabilities and birth defects. In announcing the ban, the premier waxed about the right of children to play in the grass without being placed in danger from pesticides.

But many municipalities in Ontario already have such a ban, and many businesses have already begun reducing or even yanking pesticides from their shelves.

And while we can understand a possible exemption for some agricultural uses, especially in emergency situations where possible crop damage can take place, it's hard to justify an exemption for golf courses. If we can live with dandelions in our front yard, we can live with them in divot damaged fairways.

If McGuinty wants to go genuine green, he could look to the west coast, where British Columbia's Liberal government announced in February that it will introduce the nation's first carbon tax. It will apply to virtually all fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal, propane, and home heating fuel. And although it is a relatively small tax, it is bolder than anything McGuinty has tried so far.

In the great Kyoto debate, Alberta has played the bad guy because that province is loath to do anything that will affect its booming oil industry. But Ontario has so far refused to look at a carbon tax because it could be detrimental to its fragile industrial sector, especially the auto industry, in which the government has invested so much money.

Suddenly, Alberta's stand becomes a bit more understandable. But if McGuinty wants to turn forest green, he'll follow B.C.'s lead.