Ohio community struggles to beautify the neighborhood and help local kids
Wednesday January 14, 2009
It's a sad sign of the times when government funding for social programs dries up. From a country where government money gets thrown around Wall Street by the billions with no accountability, comes a bittersweet story of a community in Ohio trying to instill values in local kids and beautify the neighborhood.
The North Side Weed & Seed lawn mower program of Youngstown Ohio takes donated lawn mowers and teaches at risk youth how to fix and maintain them, empowering them to mow lawns and make money for the summer. What a heartwarming story right?
Mix in budget cuts, out of touch politicians, and an uncertain financial future and the story gets disappointing pretty quick. Though they managed to extend their ability to use the current funding, the program made it into U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn’s “2008: Worst Waste of the Year” report for 2008 federal spending.
The irony is downright frustrating too. I've blogged several times about people fined and even thrown in jail for not mowing their lawn and all the North Side Weed & Seed lawn mower program wants to do is help kids and improve the neighborhood.
How do you know what chemicals are being applied to your neighbors' lawn?
Monday January 12, 2009
In Wisconsin, you have to put your name on a registry in order to get a warning when lawn care companies apply pesticides on a neighbor's lawn, trees, and shrubs. The deadline to get your name on the pesticide registry is February 1st, so if this pertains to you act now.
I think lawn care companies are getting off easy in Wisconsin. Why not just issue a warning and do away with the registry altogether? I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like to know what's being put on their neighbor's lawn who aren't on the registry and may have not even heard of it.
In New York it's quite different. I'm not sure if the legislation is county by county, but where I used to live, the lawn company used to have to notify neighbors and post signs in advance. If they couldn't spray on the specified day because of weather or some other reason, the whole process had to happen again, they couldn't use the previous notification.
But, as I like to say around here, all the more reason to practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or better yet, implement an organic lawn care program.
Fertilizers containing phosphorus are increasingly being banned for use on lawns
Tuesday January 6, 2009
Annapolis, Maryland is the latest municipality to enact a ban on lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus. Although phosphorus is considered one of the three main plant growth nutrients, it is not always needed in fertilizer form. In fact, most soils are loaded with phosphorus due to it's slow plant uptake and years of fertilizer over-application. In most cases, there is enough phosphorus in lawn soils to adequately supply the turf for years.
Run off from phosphorus fertilizers are also responsible for the growth of harmful algae in bodies of water. When the algae blooms decay, they steal the oxygen from the water resulting in dead zones which threaten aquatic life.
This particular legislation is reasonable. Fertilizers containing phosphorus are permissible if a soil test indicates a phosphorus deficiency or a new lawn is planted. Phosphorus is also still acceptable to use in fertilizers for shrubs, trees, and indoor plants.
Snow, Ice and Winter Weather
Sunday January 4, 2009
Winter has set in. I find myself dreading the thought of going outside, but when I do, it's really not that bad.
I think it's important to spend time outside, even in the winter, and even if it's cold.
Somewhere under that snow is a lawn, but for now, there's decorations to be put away, snowmen to be built, and a sidewalk and driveway that need clearing of ice and snow.
Remember, moving snow can be a lot of work. Go slow and steady.
Read all about dealing with ice on sidewalks here:
Treating Ice on Sidewalks and Driveways 
