Which Is Worse? Fertilizer or Extra Watering.

As we Colorado folks enter the dry, dismal days of summer in the high desert, we are faced with browning lawns and the tough decision of what to do to salvage the remnants of our Kentucky Bluegrass patches.


Now, the obvious eco option would be to not have a lawn at all. Tear it out, replace it with xeriscaped native grasses and let nature take its course. But, I have not gone that far just yet and thus have to deal with keeping our lawn up with the Davis'. Or at least looking better than the aforementioned dandelion farm next door.


So the question today is: Do I fertilize the lawn with chemicals that can leach potentially toxic substances into the ground water with the belief that said chemicals will refresh the lawn without extra water - or, do I forgo fertilizer and simply water the lawn more often?

The Scott's brand Weed 'n Feed fertilizer bag would have me believe that making my lawn green is "earth friendly" because "green grass is providing more photosynthesis." But, as I carried my bag of Weed 'n Feed around the Home Depot, its acrid smell burned my nose and carried with it an incredible sense of guilt. Nearly driven to tears, knowing this was not the right choice for our yard, I came across a section of green-er lawn alternatives. After reading labels about a product made up of worm poop, I went with Scotts Organic Choice lawn food. Unfortunately this is not a vegetarian product (which strikes me as weird, but explains Affrey's interest in nibbling the pellets) as the protein ingredients are all “non ruminant” and are derived from poultry (primarily) and swine byproducts.

This stuff is made from primarily protein ingredients derived from Hydrolyzed Feather Meal, Meat Meal, Bone Meal (bovine-free), Blood Meal and Sulfate of Potash.

• Nitrogen: derived from feather meal, blood meal, meat meal, bone meal
• Phosphorus: derived frm bone meal
• Potassium: derived from sulfate potash, which is a mined mineral from the Great Salt Lake

While not exactly as green as the worm poop would have been, I feel it was a good compromise. My lawn is getting an extra dose of natural nutrients, but without the chemical weed killers I can do without (my trusty digger is still fully functioning). A bonus is that this product was designed for use in organic farming and has been approved by the FDA.