Home - Garden
These Products And Tools May Be Doing More Harm Than Good To
Your Yard
By TIM BUTTERS
Fertilizer pH Balance
Over-fertilizing can prevent plants from absorbing the water that they need to thrive, and fertilizers with the wrong pH balance can seriously damage plants.
Ericaceous plants need fertilizer adapted to lower pH soil and carnivorous plants need no fertilizer. Check a fertilizer’s Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium
ratio for how much to add.
Harmful Pesticides
Although most people’s pesticide exposure is far too minimal to pose a significant risk, organophosphates and carbamates can still affect your nervous system.
Pesticides you use to stop pests may be carcinogenic, irritate the skin or eyes,
hurt your hormone and endocrine system, harm wildlife and the environment, and sicken or kill pets.
PVC Hoses
PVC hoses have phthalates linked to hormone disruption and cancer. Hosepipes purchased before 2007, especially green and yellow ones, are likely to contain up to 8% lead.
The Ecology Center tested PVC hoses from various outlets and found traces of toxic plasticizers and heavy metals, including bromine and antimony, which are linked to kidney damage.
Grass Seed
Acquiring glorious and satisfying greenage in your yard can be fraught with difficulties, particularly if you’re using grass seed incompatible with your growing region.
To get a pretty lawn in the northern half of the U.S., sow cool-season seed. In southern states, use warm-season grass seed that tolerates heat, salt, and that doesn’t need water.
Dull Mower Blades
Dull mower blades can leave your yard ragged and rough. Worn blades pull on grass instead of slicing it cleanly, and they can leave ruined patches on your lawn.
Inspect your blade before mowing season starts, and after each cut, for bends, nicks, and dents that indicate the blade is losing its edge. Sharpen your blade after eight mowings.