In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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October 16, 2007

Eco-friendly lawns

Large swards of green lawn are not eco-friendly, most green experts say. But Paul Tukey, founder of SafeLawns.org, says that doesn’t mean you have to let the entire lawn go brown.

In a recent press release, Tukey said, “in most cases lawns and gardens could remain green and lush if homeowners and landscape professionals utilize organic methods.” Further, Tukey says, “If you avoid synthetic chemical fertilizers and switch to compost and organic fertilizers, you’ll reduce the need for watering up to 75 percent. These natural amendments help the soil store water and, therefore, help the grass stay green.”

Tukey leaves readers with this comment: “The average 40-pound bag of synthetic chemical fertilizer contains the fossil fuel equivalent of three gallons of gasoline.”

He plans to take his solutions to Washington, D.C. where he’ll participate in the DC Environmental Conference at the University of District of Columbia on Oct. 20.

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