Dr. Doug Soldat, turfgrass researcher and extension specialist for the University of Wisconsin, discusses the ins and outs of organic fertilizers and their benefits. July is a great time to feed your lawn with an organic fertilizer. Not only will it improve the look of your lawn, it may, also, make it more environmentally friendly.
Zika and Panic: Beware the Scare
Zika Virus dominates the news cycles these days, but how does this mosquito-borne illness impact us in the Midwest? MPAC’s Executive Director Ruth Kerzee informs you for Mosquito Control Awareness Week. As we move into the dog days of summer, all of us have a lot of outdoor celebrating and vacationing to look forward to-the 4th
MWRD’s Midwest Grows Green Resolution
The MWRD Board of Commissioners recognized MPAC’s natural lawn care efforts by passing a resolution June 16th A raindrop falls on your lawn. It trickles through the green, entrenched mass, absorbing whichever chemical, fertilizer, and sediment in its way. Jammed full of matter, the droplet jumps into a storm drain and joins the crowd of
Dealing with Dandelions
While beneficial to your body and soil, dandelions will not leave our dog house soon. MPAC’s Ryan Anderson focuses on getting rid of them the safe way. For the countless times I’ve discussed “natural” strategies to eliminate dandelions, I can’t recall a single question on how they first became a staple “weed” in our American lawns! Yes,
Ignore your turf! Worry about the bottom-dwellers (literally)
MGG’s Ryan Anderson covers the amazing life and diversity found in the place you’d least expect: your lawn’s soil. The most bio diverse ecosystem on earth does not reside in the Great Barrier Reef or the Amazon. NO, it lives right in your backyard! Just one cup of soil can contain 200 billion bacteria, 20
Corn Gluten Meal: The do’s and don’ts
MGG’s Ryan Anderson fills you in on the natural, pre-emergent herbicide corn gluten meal and how to time its application to your lawn for best results. About a year ago, I planned a trip to New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Thailand for the middle of June. As a cash-strapped recent Masters graduate I had every
One Woman’s Path to Pesticide Freedom: An interview with Kim Stone, Councilwoman, Highland Park, IL
Kim Stone has been a long-time advocate for the elimination of pesticide use on and in public and private lands and structures. She provided instrumental support in Highland Park’s move to adopt pesticide-free policies and practices for public lands. We had a chance to catch up with Kim and learn from her experiences. MPAC: Many
Chemical-free lawn care planned for Park Ridge park
This Chicago Tribune article summarizes our natural lawn care work with Go Green Park Ridge and the Park Ridge Park District. Park Ridge will maintain Maine Park through alternative weed control methods that abstain from pesticide use.
Read Your Weeds
What are your weeds telling you? The presence of certain weeds can clue you into the condition of your lawn or the shortcomings of your lawn care. Learn to “read your weeds” for indications about your soil condition, and you’ll be on your way to preventing the conditions in which weeds thrive. In general, weeds
Going Natural: The Whys and Hows
Too often, childhood pastimes like playing sports, rolling down a grassy hill, or running barefoot on the lawn bring children into direct contact with dangerous lawn care products like weed-killers and synthetic fertilizers. These chemicals don’t just stay outside; they can be tracked indoors by people and pets where they adhere to carpets, home furnishings,
