The Organic Craze, Are You Jumping on the Train?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

This year there has been a tremendous increase in interest in organics for the lawn, more emails, questions, demands than ever before at Jonathan Green.  Are we turning back to the ‘good old ways’ of maintaining our lawn?

I have been amazed at the volume of questions that have come from people concerned for the safety of their children and pets with lawn and garden applications.  It seems as though over 75% are asking, “What products can be used safety for my lawn, I think I want to switch to organic products?”

This is stemming from the education and the awareness factor that has been brought to light in the last 5-10 years by environmental groups, the green industry and homeowner demands.  Remember when you first heard about the availability of organic produce at the grocery stores, it was about 5 years ago; we did not think much of it then.  Organic food was much more expensive and hard to get.  Now there are large sections of all types of organic foods in most large supermarkets; also the prices are reasonable since farmers have learned to grow them economically.

The same trend has brought many new products to the lawn and garden industry in the last five years.  Many Jonathan Green Organic or natural lawn and garden fertilizers are available with ingredients derived from various food, plant and animal proteins, such as, bone meal, blood meal, feather meal, kelp meal, corn gluten and manures.  Traditionally, some of these items are used for various feed additives and in making pet foods.  The nice thing about these products is that they also carry some fertilizer value. For example Jonathan Green Organic Weed Control plus Fertilizer with Corn Gluten is great in that it fertilizes and control many grassy and broadleaf weeds as a pre-emergent.

Jonathan Green Organic Fertilizers help to improve the soil structure by stimulating microbial activity.  The introduction of Jonathan Green Organic Lawn Fertilizer also contributes to the overall organic matter content of the soil, which provides a better environment for plants to grow in.  Many soils are low in organic matter so introducing good compost or leaf mold is very beneficial to growing plants.  This stimulation also increases the earthworm population providing better drainage.  Our organic fertilizers do not have any adverse effect on beneficial insects either; they tend to increase their populations.

Jonathan Green organic and natural fertilizers do not have a high Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), or Potassium (K) analysis; the three numbers on all fertilizer bags.  This means you need to apply a larger bulk of materials to get the job done. However, these products tend to be more available to the plants than traditional fertilizers.  Organic products tend to feed the soil slowly, which in turn feeds the plants.  This slow feeding requires a longer period of time, moisture and warmer temperatures to green up a lawn or plants than traditional fertilizers.  When you switch to feeding your lawn Jonathan Green organics it is a transition process that may take a few years for you to realize all if the benefits; it’s doesn’t happen overnight!

Jonathan Green organic fertilizers contain micronutrients that all plants need for healthy growth.  This promotes a healthier lawn making it better able to with stand the stresses of disease, insects and drought.  Root vigor tends to increase with the introduction of these micronutrients also.

Please be careful to fully read the labels on all products.  Many companies put a general caution on all of their lawn and garden bags saying, “Keep out of reach and children and pets”.  This may cause some confusion since these products are children and pet friendly.  The reason for this type of statement is that these products can smell like actual dog food and attract animals to the bag, causing them to try to bit the bag and try to eat some of the fertilizer if it is not secure in the shed or garage.  Children or pets should not ingest any lawn and garden products, even organic ones.  Humans would get sick if they ate enough flour even though it is used in many foods.

In prior years we had a campaign, in which we said, “Dog food for your Lawn?”. If the fertilizer you apply to your lawn is in many dog foods it’s safe for your pets and children!   When are you going to make the switch to Jonathan Green Organics?

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