Question
Charlotte-

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your prompt response and generous advice. Last night I read every one of your answers to the postings. I like what I read, but am not certain it will apply in all climates. I see you live in Texas. The soils, insects and naturally occurring elements there (not to mention the climate) are drastically different than my home, Minnesota.

So, I guess my follow-up question is this: Will sugar, soda and strategically-placed herbs work as well for me in Minnesota?
Also, you said, "If it is a chemical, it is NOT safe for them". I am not certain if I buy that. Sodium Chloride, Sodium carbonate and Sucrose are also "chemicals". But most of us don't refer to them as such. We usually use with their common names, table salt, baking soda and white sugar. So, my initial question to you last night really was whether the specific chemicals in my fertilizer are harmful. I looked up the individual ingredients last night and found NONE that should or could affect insect life. But that's an amateur doing a web search. So I am relying on your expertise to "clear the air".

Again. I am truly impressed with your rapid and thorough response. You are obviously very informed and passionate in your stand. I respect that...and look forward to your next email.

Respectfully
John


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Followup To

Question -
I use Fertilome Classic Lawn Food 16 - 0 - 8. I do not use pesticides, and spot treat weeds with "WeedFree Zone".  The salts and chemicals on the labels look "frightening".  If applied as directed, will this fertilizer be harmful to my 4 and 2 year old children? How about the herbicide? My children play in the yard daily during the summer. I think I'm doing the right thing for their safety by using simple fertilizers. But I am not certain of it. I like a good, healthy lawn. But I also do not want to expose my children to unsafe chemicals. Any help/advice you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Thanks


Answer -
Hi John;
If it is a chemical, it is NOT safe for them.
Fertilizers kill beneficial microbes that enrich the soil. Rish soil grows good grass and everythuing else, and if the kids put organically grown grass in their mouths, all the will get is vitimins like the animals that eat it get.
Children DO put grass in their mouths, as well as everything else.
Fertilizers also kill off the toads, lizards and grass snales that eat the harmful insects, so go organic and you don't NEEd any insecticies or weed killers.
Weeds like poor soil and will not thrive in rich soil.
I put only sugar on my lawn.
It nourishes the beneficial microbes that work round the clock, enriching the soil.
I have been putting nothing on my lawn and garden but sugar, in spring and summer, and again in the hottest part of the summer if there is enough 100+ days to affect the microbes.
I apply 1 pound per 250 sq.ft of lawn, and wter it in well, to a depth of at least 6 inches.
My lawn is thick and dark green and weedfree.
I don't have to give a second thought to children or animals being in mt yard safely.

I use baking soda diasolved in water for fungicide. Better by far than any of the chemical fungicides I ever used.
I don't have harmful insects in my house or yard, because my lawn critters eat them in the yard, and the herbs i use inside my house ( herbs i grow myself) keep my house free of ants, roaches, spiders etc.
Write anytime you would like information about organics.
I love sharing what i have learned.
Charlotte

Answer
Hi John;
Sure they will.
about the only difference is the time you will be able to see the soil to put down things.LOl
We don't get your snows down here..
Different weeds, and/or different names for them, but the basics is the same.
Organuic is the way god designed it to work, chemicals are artificial so you are gardening artificially.
You have all the beneficial incests and microbes and nemetodes, and most of the same pests.
We have a huge problem with slugs and grubs, but climate doesn't seem to affect most insects, the way it does humans.
The little beasts thrive in any climate.
Howard Garrett does projects all over the country, and he is the best authority on organics, anywhere.
Check out his site at   www.dirtdoctor.com
I have heard from people in the far northern states that have tried the same organic methods i use, and they have great results too.
Charlotte