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Botanica offers ecological lawn care including mowing, fertilization,
and weed control, as a
part of complete property maintenance services for estates and commercial
clients. For everyone else, we offer consultation services, and
The
Organic Lawn Guide
www.abstractlawns.com
is a reputable business that specializes in organic fertilization and weed
control in the Lakes Area. (Tell John that we sent you!) (262)
248-3286
We encourage all property owners to think
long term in choosing the method of care for their lawns. The planet is
too small and too beautiful. |
In the quest for an immaculate,
dandelion-free lawn, American homeowners use 10 times the toxic chemicals
used by American farmers.
Most of the pesticides and herbicides used
in controlling weeds and insects are broad spectrum biocides,
which means they are poisonous to a wide variety of living organisms,
including garden plants, beneficial insects, wildlife, pets, and people.
We can't assume that because a product is
available at the local garden center that is has been scrutinized and
approved by the government: Of the 40 most commonly used lawn chemicals,
15 have been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as possible
or probable carcinogens.
The EPA has been retesting all agricultural
chemicals for acute (short term) and chronic (long term) health effects
since 1985. Each year more of these chemicals are severely restricted,
however, fewer than 20 % of the ingredients in commercially available
pesticides have been examined so far.
Many that are still on the market have
proven detrimental health effects. Some that have been on the market for
years, and freely used by homeowners, such as Dursban, have been taken off
the market in the last year due to severe acute and chronic health
problems associated with it.
The symptoms of lawn chemical poisoning can
be deceptively simple, similar to many other illnesses such as colds or
allergies, and so often evade diagnosis.
The level of risk from lawn chemicals
depends on a variety of factors, including the toxicity of the chemical,
the extent of the exposure, and an individual's sensitivity to the
chemical. Because their play is more likely to bring them into contact
with lawn care chemicals, and because their cells develop more rapidly
than adults, children are particularly vulnerable. |
We don't even need the poisons. Fortunately, there are safe, proven, and
tested products and advances in science that allow us to make a
green, truly healthy lawn. For more information, check out
The Organic
Lawn Guide.
Organic fertilizers, intelligent planting
choices, organic pre-emergent weed controls, enzymes, botanical controls,
and broad scientific and horticultural knowledge have replaced the
chemical arsenal.
The future is organic. People who care are
already there. Thanks for doing your part to keep and to preserve the
health and beauty of the planet we all share. |
