Question
Hi!

I want to switch to all organic fertilizers, weed control and bug control.  Where do I start?  We live in Charlotte NC and have Bermuda grass, knock out roses, crepe myrtles, Indian Hawthorn, hollies, salvia, day lilies,oak leaf hydrangea, other hydrangeas, Japanese maples, willow oak and autumn blaze, rose of sharon, spirea.

I would like to buy Milky Spore disease- What season should I apply this?  Also, would like advice on maintaining Bermuda grass to keep it green and weed free.  I know nothing about aeration or anything else about grass care.  We are buying praying mantis egg sac as homeschool project to let go into our yard when babies get big enough.


Answer
Dear Ms. Harabedian:

How admirable of you to make the commitment to organics!

The shrubs you mention, the Bermuda turf will be no problem to convert.  I will make one suggestion coming from thirty years experience in this field which you may not support, but, overall, it is possible.

From the start, you should learn about conventional lawn and shrub maintenance.  There are many NCCES (ag agent) booklets available, one especially good one form NC State on turf and grasses.  Use Extension for plant disease identification when required.

There are several compost producers in NC and I believe that McGill has a plant near Charlotte, also called Leprechan.  They make good compost and may deliver in small enough loads to satisfy your requirements or have a contractor who can do it.  Use them to supply your basic organic landscape building program.

This compost will also be your fertilizer for shrubs, trees, flowers and house plants, when applied correctly.  Do not put too much on.  For shrubs and trees, I cover the root area with a sprinkling or approx. 1/2 cubic yard per thousand square feet.  Like you would put confectioners sugar on a cake, more or less.

The whole field has a library of publications on the subject.  You will need to sort through them to find the ones you like and can abide.

Milky Spore is a good product.  Put it on soon so that grubs are discouraged for next year.  Aeration is a simple process done at the time of fertilization or in fall to loosen soil under turf.  Just rent an aerator form a local rental outfit for a few hours.  A good idea overall, it will be supplanted by soil development and, eventually, not needed.

The one thing I will tell you is that weeds are either managed organically by hand, by cultural preferences for favoring the turf you have or by herbicide.  With Bermuda, a once a year broad spectrum or broad leaf herbicide application in winter or spring before grass begins to grow will take care of most weeds.  You may also have to use a pre-emergent in spring to beat out aggressive spring weeds.  However, after a few years of this, the Bermuda should triumph and you will have a fine lawn.

I call this a hybrid transition strategy and it is practical among the myriad of suggestions to the contrary.

Let me know how you are progressing and ask a question at any time.