The article says that lawn owners in the United States use 78 million pounds of pesticides and approximately 90 million pounds of fertilizers every year. Homeowners do this to make brighter yards, kill bugs, and enjoy green yards and blossoming gardens. Fertilizers, according to the article, contain unnaturally high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Both are substances that are critical to a plant's growth; however, these chemicals often wreak ecological havoc on yards, soil, and nearby water sources. Between chemicals, water usage (of which 30 percent of daily use in America is used on lawns), and carbon emissions from lawn care equipment, it is no surprise as to why people are moving to organic solutions.

The article cites a case study by arborist James Sotillo who works with the Rodale Institute. There were two patches of sod; one was used fertilizer, the other tea compost. In the former, the sod became dormant and stressed because of the overload of chemicals. The tea compost patch, however, had healthier root growth and was more resistant to environmental stressors and drought.

"It baffles us to see how many people are poisoning their lawns with chemicals," a representative from Purely Organic Lawn Care says. "There are few 'positives' that fertilizers have, though most positives are countered by organic lawn treatments. For one, fertilizers are more expensive and harm naturally balanced chemicals in the soil. Another reason not to use fertilizers is that yards become dependent on the supplemented nitrogen levels and other factors -- put simply, using fertilizers is lazy.

Growing organic lawns takes more work, but the payoffs are worth the time and effort. The study shows that organically grown lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds are heartier and more robust than their fertilized counterparts. "Going Green," a movement that has swept the United States, applies to lawn care as well as anything else. Organic growing reduces water consumption, carbon footprints, and the amount of chemical saturation in topsoil and water sources. On top of that, chemicals are dangerous for people, pets, and grubs.

"We provide our clients with organic solutions for traditional lawn care problems," Purely Organic Lawn Care says. "There is no reason for homeowners to depend on chemically enriched fertilizers; instead, people should push and embrace organic lawn services for the good of their yards and health, an often overlooked factor."

Organic lawn care is becoming more main stream with each passing season. No matter the arguments against it, however, fertilizers have their uses for growing dense crops in areas they are not likely to flourish. Purely Organic Lawn Care seeks to find a healthy balance for fertilizers and organic plant growth.

ABOUT:

Purely Organic Lawn Care understands the negative effects of utilizing fertilizers on lawns. It offers alternative solutions for traditional lawn care concerns like pests and planting. Based in New Hampshire, it hopes to continue practicing what it preaches for years to come.