26 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • AUGUST 13, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
at home
Four easy steps to a chemical-free, organic backyard
Because everyone is spending more
time in their own backyards now, parents
are wondering how to create healthier
lawns for their families.
You might be surprised to learn that
exposure to pesticides, herbicides and
chemical fertilizers can be harmful, particularly
for growing children. Th is is
why fl ags are posted aft er a yard is treated
- they are warnings to keep children
and pets away from dangerous chemical
exposure.
Chemicals found in pesticides and
other lawn products have been linked
to asthma, organ damage and cancer, as
well as neurological diseases and behavioral
problems, according to the National
Institutes of Health. Th e safest approach
for everyone, and the environment, is to
go organic.
Stonyfi eld Organic yogurt has cared about
where cows graze for the past 36 years. In
2018, Stonyfi eld Organic yogurt extended
its mission beyond cows grazing fi elds
to outdoor spaces where kids play, starting
with the #PlayFree campaign to remove
toxic pesticides from parks and playing
fi elds. Now Stonyfi eld is helping families do
the same for their own backyards.
Organically maintained
lawns made easy
Having a chemical-free, healthy lawn is
not diffi cult if you follow practical, proven
organic lawn management techniques.
Follow these steps from Stonyfi eld
Organic to transform your yard into a
healthier environment for everybody.
Stop using pesticides
Because of the harm that can be caused
by pesticides, it’s best to simply stop using
them. If you have nuisance insects in
your yard, there are natural approaches to
curbing them.
Pesticides kill both harmful and benefi -
cial bugs, so you miss out on the benefi ts
many “good” insects provide. Good bugs
include dragonfl ies, honeybees, ladybugs
and butterfl ies. “Bad” bugs like grasshoppers,
aphids, fi re ants, grubs, snails,
chiggers, centipedes and mosquitoes can
harm your plants and annoy humans.
How can you reduce bad bugs without
pesticides, while helping the “good bugs”?
• Plant fl owers to support pollinators
• Provide fresh water for good bugs and
bug-killing birds
• Add mulch to off er shade for plantfriendly
insects
• Use apple cider vinegar or cedar oil as
bug repellent
• Spray neem oil on infestations
• Repel mosquitoes with crushed parsley,
rosemary oil or citronella candles
• Grow insect-repellent plants like marigolds,
lemongrass, fennel, basil or thyme
• Hang a bird feeder for bug-eating birds
• Hose visible bugs like aphids and caterpillars
off plants
Test your soil
Most people apply lawn products without
fi rst determining what the soil actually
needs. Testing helps you discover the
right balance, so your soil won’t be too
acidic or too alkaline.
Many universities provide soil testing
services at reasonable prices. Check your
nearest university’s website for details.
Or turn soil testing into a fun family
project. All you need is red cabbage,
distilled water and the directions
at Stonyfi eld.com/playfree/change-yourown
backyard.
Switch to organic fertilizers
Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured
with fossil fuels and are salt-based. Th ey
directly feed plants, and can harm your
soil. Organic fertilizers feed the life in
your soil, and the soil in turn will feed
your grass or plants.
Use eff ective organic
lawn care tactics
To achieve a lush lawn without chemicals,
it helps to understand what grass
needs to grow its best.
• Feed soil - Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
and micronutrients help your grass
grow. But don’t feed without testing - the
soil test will determine if your grass is
getting what it needs from the soil.
• Mow high - Short grass is stressed grass.
Most grass grows best at around 3 inches.
Th is allows your grass to effi ciently
produce its own food, develop deep
roots and withstand drought conditions.
• Mulch with grass clippings - Healthy
soil will turn the grass clippings into the
nutrients it needs.
• Water deep - Lawns love about an inch
of water each week. In many areas, rainfall
is plenty. Less frequent but deeper
watering builds heartier, healthier roots.
Water as needed but aim for no more
than 3 times per week, and water in the
early morning.
• Overseed - Spread a layer of grass seeds
across your existing yard to help grow a
green and lush lawn.
• Weeding - Th e best weed prevention
is a healthy, thriving lawn. Th ick grass
blocks out sunlight that weeds need to
grow.
Following these approaches can make
your lawn beautiful as well as safer for
your entire family.
For more helpful organic backyard gardening
tips, visit Stonyfi eld.com/PlayFree.
— BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/PlayFree
