Safe Fertilizer for Lawn??

[Karen P]

I was wondering what safe fertilizer/weed killer that you use. Chewie is our first dog so this has never been a problem.  I am worried about what is put down.  It is not feasible to have him stay in for a day or so after product is put down.  I don't think my DH will be happy if our lawn is full of weeds.  Also any suggestions on the burn spots from urine??  Any help greatly appreciated !!!

[Patty]

I can't help with fertilizer or pesticides... I don't use them for a couple of reasons. But I can help with urine burns. Fosters and Smith has a great article and so does about.com in a similar article with less focus on products to remedy the burns. It could be that too much nitrogen (perhaps from fertilizer and Chewie's urine) is the culprit.

Good luck!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think there really are safe pesticides but I do know that 2,4 D broadleaf weedkillers, like WeedBeGone are really bad. I just bought a weed burning torch but I now see it needs a barbecue sized propane tank so I think I'll exchange it for the smaller version. I just mow the lawn. The weeds are not too bad when mowed and I really think it's better than weedkillers. I do dig some of the worst offenders like dandelions out. Also, I mulch when I mow from spring to fall which means the lawn gets all those nutrients back. That includes all the leaves, and there are a lot of them, in the fall. Very little, if any need for fertilizer then.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just started a Garden Group, come join us there.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Wow, I have been wondering the same thing. We have Grub Worms and last year I left it go, unsure what to do about it with a puppy playing in the backyard. We lost so much grass. I have always had dogs but the lawn holds up just fine. Now I am in a mud pit. It is not from dogs but rather the grub worms. Now the moles are having a field day eating the grubs and it is a vicious cycle.

Anything safe kill the grubs and not the dogs?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Japanese beetle grubs can be killed with a spore that may be safe for dogs. I think it's Bt and we should check it out. I don't know if it kill other grubs. Also, some types of grass mae be more resistant to grubs. I've been using tall fescue to seed for some time now and it is tough, good for wear and tear etc. There is even the oxymoronic dwarf tall fescue now, which needs less frequent mowing.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here is a site with earth friendly products including Bt which is safe for pets and people. Unfortunately, the common kind, as the site explains kills Japanese Beetle grubs but there are different Bt strains for other grubs. I did use Bt years ago, it is long lasting. I have very few Japanese beetles.
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/index.html

[Karen P]

Thanks for the information !!!

[Joe R.]

I know Scotts does an organic lawn food. Don't thinks has any weed/insect killer properties though. I have used it without any problems. I know Lowes carries it.

http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?proId=prod100...

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I emailed Scott's regarding their Organic Products. This is their response:

Thank you for your interest in Scotts and for the opportunity to help you with your lawn and garden endeavors.

When used according to package directions, Ms. Matzkin, Scotts Organic Choice Lawn Food will not pose a health or safety risk for your pets. Keep the animals out of the area while the product is being applied. Once the product has been watered in to the soil and the grass or plants have dried, it will be safe for animals to reenter the area. If you are not sure how long it will take for an area to dry, wait 24 hours before allowing your pets to re-enter that area

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us and for your interest in Scotts. Please feel free to contact our company anytime we may be of assistance.

Sharon Newell
Consumer Service Representative
The Scotts Company and Subsidiaries
14111 Scottslawn Road
Marysville, OH 43041
800-543-8873

[Karen P]

Thank you !!!! I really appreciate you contacting them. I am going to relay this to my DH.