Applying pesticides to residential lawns and landscapes has become a seasonal ritual for many American homeowners, as common as pruning the hedges or raking leaves. But, according to Patty Wood, of Grassroots Environmental Education, “in light of the ever-growing body of scientific literature linking pesticide exposures to a myriad of human health problems and environmental degradation, it’s time to take a serious look at the unintended damage we are doing,” Wood spoke a few months ago to a packed Parish Hall at St. Barnabas Church in Irvington. The event was sponsored by the Garden Clubs of Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Philipse Manor and Sleepy Hollow, along with Sustainable Hastings. Chip Osborne, of Osborne Organics, and Wood, of Grassroots Education, presented lawn pesticide facts and the history of the pesticide industry.

Westchester County ranks highest in all New York State in pounds and gallons of synthetic pesticide applied to residential and commercial properties These pesticides contaminate our drinking water sources, drift from our yards into our neighbor’s yards, contaminate play sets, sandboxes, vegetable gardens and pools. Wood explained that most pesticides are not selective and kill beneficial insects needed for pollination and other critical steps in our food and ecological chain. Simply put, she said, “Pesticides kill the good bugs that out-compete the bad bugs.”

Osborne, a horticulturalist and land care professional for more than 40 years, converted to organic methods 20 years ago when he learned about the health dangers of the products he had been using in his own greenhouses. He found that the most basic element of organic lawn and garden care is healthy soil; building healthy soil naturally with compost and organic fertilizers is the key to strong plants that will be drought and pest resistant. He recommends basic simple steps for improving turf density such as cutting grass to a higher three-inch mark, which enhances a deep root system, thus reducing water consumption. He suggests that homeowners leave grass clippings to decompose within a couple of days, providing most of the nitrogen lawns need to remain healthy; then you won’t have to buy pricey high-nitrogen fertilizers that run off and pollute waterways. Over-use of lawn mowers, he contends, compact soils over time, stresses lawns and causes poor water retention encouraging run-off conditions.

Irvington has been following an organized maintenance program on village properties for several years. Tarrytown is required to follow organic lawn and plant care policies on its new Scenic Hudson RiverWalk and in renovated Pierson Park. Hastings has not used pesticides on athletic fields since 2001 when several hundred parents signed a petition asking the school district to discontinue their use. For more information please see: www.grassrootsinfo.org, www.ghlp.org.