Homeowners go green with organics

Soap and garlic among alternatives for best lawn on the block

by Jason Boyer, KWGN News

April 29, 2008

Lawns this time of year are greening-up, but water can only do so much. Many turn to herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides to finish the job. But harmful chemicals in these products are certainly not green.

Kris Higgins from Tagawa Gardens said, "They're finding cancer-causing agents in them, they're finding they're not good for our land or water."

So there's the alternative-organics. "It's green, it's safer, you really don't know what's in the other stuff," said Suzanne Waechter who bought organic mulch.

Organic mulches and potting soils have been around for awhile. Getting rid of unwanted weeds and pesky insects can also be done organically. But the ingredients in these products may surprise you.

"Probably things that your grandmothers and great grandmothers have used," said Higgins. "They're using things like clove oil, they're using things like garlic, they're using things like soap."

When it comes to fertilizers, the ingredients get even more bizarre. "The organic fertilizers are made out of things like bat guano, fish emulation, alfalfa meal, feather meal, said Higgins." And she added all of them do work. "Organics work a little bit slower, but better."

To be sure you're getting an organic product, you can look on the label for OMRI, which means the organic materials inside have been certified. Even still, always look on the back and read the labels.

"Everything has limits on how safe it can be. It doesn't mean that you could put your hand in it and put in your mouth. Still you need to read the label and be cautious."

Using these products will get you green results. "The biggest crop in America are our lawns, and that's where we can make the biggest difference," said Higgins.