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11 Steps to a Pesticide Free Lawn
Dealing With Dandelions
Dandelion Recipes - If you can't
beat 'em, eat 'em!
Spray Weeds with Vinegar
Corn-Gluten Fertilizer
11 Steps to a Pesticide Free Lawn
| 1. Healthy
Lawns Need Healthy Soil
Proper soil preparation and lawn maintenance practices
will help to build healthy and deep-rooted lawns. To
condition and enrich your soil, add natural organic
matter like compost on a regular basis. Healthy lawns
are more resistant to disease and drought and will out-compete
weeds.
2. Choose the Right Grass
Choose drought tolerant grass seeds and overseed your
lawn in the spring or fall. Use a grass seed mixture
rather than one variety. A thick lawn will crowd out
weeds.
3. Mow High to Discourage Weeds
Keep your lawn mower blade at a height of 7 cm (3 inches)
4. Grass Cycle
Leave your grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients
to the soil. Less raking! This can supply up to 30%
of your lawn's fertilizer needs and helps retain moisture.
5. Accept Some Weeds
Using chemicals and pesticides is not worth the health
risk. Allow clover in your lawn for its nitrogen-fixing
magic.
6. Consider Alternative Plants
Alternatives to grass include trees, shrubs, ground
covers, and wild flowers (native speices work best).
7. Aerate - Let Your Lawn Breathe
Once a year remove small plugs of earth to allow air
and water to get to the roots (aerate). A pesticide-free
lawn will encourage earthworms, nature's aerators.
8. Water the Roots
Let your lawn soak up 1 inch of water, once a week early
in the morning, to promote deep root growth. To measure
and inch of water, put an empty tuna tin under your
sprinkler - stop watering once it fills up.
9. Top-Dress and Fertilize
Once a year, in the fall, use an organic fertilizer
(long term value), or apply a top layer of natural organic
matter such as compost (top-dress).
10. Thatch
Most lawns don't have a thatch problem. Thatch is a
thick compacted layer of dead plants and grass. Too
much thatch stops water and nutrients from getting to
the roots. To prevent thatch: aerate, rake briskly,
water properly and don't over-fertilize.
11. Control Weeds & Insects
Natuarally
Dig out weeds and their roots by hand. Pour boiling
water on weeds that are growing between patio stones,
etc. Use a stick or your hand to knock insects off plants
into a dish of soapy water. Practicing natural lawn
care will create a healthy lawn, which is unattractive
to pests. |
Dandelions like bare patches and unhealthy lawns.
If you have too many dandelions for your liking, one way to
truly eliminate them is to dig them out. Dig out the entire
root to a depth of at least 7-10 cm (4 inches) using an appropriate
dandelion digging tool. Or, better yet, use them in a salad
or make dandelion tea, coffe, or wine. Dandelions are full
of nutrients;high in potassium, vitamins A, C, and B. Compare
this to the health risks of using pesticides to eradicate
dandelions and adopt the attitude, "Don't beat 'em, eat
'em".
If you are looking for an alternative to hand-digging, try
the following environmentally-friendly options:
- Corngluten Meal Fertillizer
- The Puzzyboy
- Aquacide |
For more information on these suggestions, visit our "Alternatives:
Resources" page.
In Defence Of The Dandelion: They're Yummy
Friday, May 24, 2002
Charles Moore, The Daily News
Download
Acrobat Reader 5.0
Martha Stewart's Dandelion Recipies:
The New York Times Syndicate, 122 E. 42nd St., New York,
N.Y. 10168
Dandelion salad
Combine 2 parts mesclun greens with 1 part dandelion greens.
Add a crumbled hard-boiled egg and some lightly steamed
sliced beets. Toss with a favorite salad dressing.
Dandelion-blossom pancakes
Combine cup whole-wheat flour, cup all-purpose flour, 2
teaspoons baking powder, teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons
sugar. Add 1 large egg, 1 cup milk and 2 tablespoons melted
butter. Add 1 cup dandelion blossoms and mix well.
Pour batter in small circles onto hot, oiled griddle. Cook
until lightly browned on one side, then flip, and repeat.
Serve warm with maple syrup, yogurt or jam. Serves two people.
Dandelion-root coffee
Use 1 teaspoon roasted dandelion root per cup, or mix one
part roasted roots with one or two parts coffee in a French
press. Add a pinch of cinnamon. Let steep for 5 minutes
for a full-bodied, healthy brew that
will help to stimulate digestion without irritating the
nerves.
Dandelion vinegar
Fill a 1-quart, wide-mouthed jar with 1 quart loosely packed
fresh dandelion leaves. Then fill jar to the top with apple-cider
vinegar. Cap, and let sit for six weeks. Strain through
a piece of cheesecloth. Store in refrigerator, and add to
salad dressings and other preparations as desired. Keeps
for up to two years.
Dandelion face wash
An infusion of dandelions can do wonders for the skin. Steep
1 cup dandelion blossoms in 1 pint boiled water for an hour.
Wash face with water, and lay down with blossoms on eyes
for 15 minutes. No need to rinse.
Other
Recipies:
Dandelion Salad with
Hot Dressing
Cut or dice 2 slices of bacon per person and pan
fry until crisp. While still hot add 2T wine vinegar (per
person). Combine hot bacon mixture with clean dried dandelion
to which seasonings have been added-salt, pepper, and 1/4
minced onion.
Serve immediately.
Dandelion Salad with Artichokes
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (about 8 oz.)
1 pimento pepper diced
dash of oregano
1 1/2 quarts of dandelion greens (cleaned and dried) 1/4t
salt and dash of pepper
3T olive oil
1T wine vinegar
Toss gently, then serve.
Dandelion Salad with Eggs
2 quarts cleaned dandelion
(cut into 1/2" pieces)
1/2 medium-sized onion minced very fine
oil (olive or as desired)
(Proportion, 3T oil to 1T vinegar)
Season with 1/2t salt and 1/St garlic salt. Dry the cleaned
dandelion carefully. Mix all of the ingredients together
gently. Then taste and add more seasons as needed.
Hard boil enough hard boiled eggs to allow at least 2 per
person. Eggs may be sliced into the salad. However, many
prefer to serve the eggs separately, letting each person
help himself.
Dandelion Salad
with Bacon
Prepare the salad greens the
same as above. Pan-broil 2 slices of bacon per person, cook
gently until lightly browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels,
then break or crumble and add to the salad while still warm.
(Some dandelion fanciers use bacon drippings in place of
the oil and vinegar as another way of serving a tasty salad).
Dandelion Salad in Marinara Sauce
One quart meatless tomato sauce-make
your own or use prepared marinara sauce. Have sauce seasoned
to taste and then add 2 quarts of cleaned dandelion cut
into 1/2 inch pieces. Cook gently until dandelion is cooked
through. When ready to serve beat 4 eggs add 4 T parmesan
cheese and add to dandelion sauce. Stir until all egg mixture
is blended. Then serve immediately. This is delicious served
over plain boiled white potatoes.
Poor Man's Dandelion
DeThomasi's Five Points Inn
fresh dandelion
fresh garlic
olive oil
salt, pepper, crashed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
fresh parsley
Start with fresh dandelion and wash thoroughly, then blanch.
Next brown the garlic and oil. Add the dandelion and season
with salt and pepper and a pinch each of red pepper and
parsley. Sautee. Finish with garlic powder and onion powder.
Rich Man's Dandelion
DeThomasi's Five Points Inn
fresh dandelion
fresh garlic
olive oil
salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
fresh parsley ground sausage
2 eggs
grated Romano cheese
Start with fresh dandelion and wash thoroughly, then blanch.
Next brown the garlic in oil. Add the dandelion and season
with salt and pepper and a pinch each of red pepper and
parsley. Sautee. Then add ground sausage, eggs, and Romano
cheese. Finish with garlic powder and onion powder.
Italian Dandelion
Casserole
Mix
1 lb. ground beef (or beef and pork mixed) 1 cup bread crumbs
2T chopped parsley
2T finely chopped onion
It salt
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
Form 40 to 45 small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
Brown them in oil. Drain and set aside. Wash about 6 to
8 cups dandelion greens. In a buttered casserole alternate
layers of dandelions browned meatballs, drained canned tomatoes.
Add 1 cup chicken stock or bouillon. Season with salt and
pepper and simmer 20-30 minutes. Yields 6-8. When serving
the casserole, have hot pepper flakes an Parmesan cheese
available on the table. Variations: 1. Add a layer of onions.
2. Season the meatballs with garlic salt or add finely chopped
garlic to the casserole. 3. Add other herbs-oregano, basil
or marjoram.
Veal and Dandelion
1-1 1/2 lbs. veal tips or veal cutlet
3T margarine
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic
2T fresh parsley
1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce (marinara preferred)
1 cup cooked dandelion
Buttered rice or noodles
Sauté veal, garlic and parsley in margarine. Season
with salt and pepper. Add spaghetti sauce and dandelions.
Simmer gently. Serve over buttered rice or noodles.
Lamb and Dandelion
Sauté 2 to 3 pounds of lamb tips in 2 to 3T of margin
or butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Also sauté
2 garlic cloves, 2T fresh parsley, a pinch of cinnamon and
a 1/2T of dill seed.
Then add 2 cups of already prepared marinara sauce and 3
cups of cooked dandelion. Simmer gently. Serve over buttered
rice (noodles optional).
Dandelion Omelet
First beat eggs until fluffy. Then for
each egg add 1T milk or cream, dash of salt and pepper.
Add 2 to 4 T cooked dandelion per egg. Mix gently. Then
heat butter, margarine or oil, 1t per egg. Heat until hot;
add mixture; lower heat immediately and then sprinkle with
grated cheese, 1t per egg.
Cook slowly, keeping heat very low. As under-surface becomes
set, start lifting it slightly or tilting pan to let uncooked
portion flow underneath and cook. Flip over for about 1
to 2 minutes. Then serve hot.
Cooked or sautéed mushroom pieces may also be added
to the above in the first step-when adding the dandelion-one
to 2T of mushrooms per egg.
Dandelion Soup
1 quart dandelion greens, loosely
packed
2 quarts chicken soup, homemade, bought or skimmed
1 pound mixed ground beef, veal and pork
1 egg
2T bread crumbs
2T minced onions (extra fine)
1/4t salt
1/St seasoned pepper
Dash nutmeg
3T grated parmesan cheese
2T sour cream (if available)
Bring chicken soup to a boil. Add dandelion. Cook gently.
If desired, rice or fine egg noodles can be added (1/2 cup
rice or 1 cup egg noodles). Make very tiny meatballs out
of remaining ingredients. When greens are tender add meatballs
and cook gently 10 minutes or until meatballs are thoroughly
cooked. Serve hot with crusty Italian or French bread.
Dandelion Quiche
Carol Paterson - Women's Club of Vineland GFWC
1 Baked 9 inch deep dish pie shell
6 Eggs, beaten
1 c fresh dandelion greens
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
I c milk
1/4 c minced onion
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 pinch parsley
In medium sauce pan, steam dandelions in 2" water until
crisp-tender. Drain. Arrange dandelion and cheese in pie
shell. Beat eggs and remaining ingredients with a wire whisk
until blended. Pour into pie shell. Bake in oven preheated
to 375 degrees 35-40 minutes, or until knife inserted half
way to center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before
serving. Yields six servings.
Dandelion Juice Cocktail
28 oz. juice of boiled dandelion
4 oz. tomato juice
1/4juice of one fresh lemon
1T, Lea and Perrins
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix serve chilled. This makes one quart and serves 4 or
more, depending on the size of glass used.
Dandelion Jello
Follow the same basic directions as are recommended for
dandelion juice cocktail, heat the mixture, add four ounces
of non-flavored gelatin, bring to a boil, add a little green
food coloring if you wish, mix in small wedges of pineapple,
or fruit cocktail or chopped walnuts. Pour into glass dishes
or a jello mold, chill until firm, then top with whipped
cream and a marachino cherry and treat your family with
the most unusual desserts that you ever have served.
Dandelion Wine
1 gallon flower heads
3 lbs. sugar
1 oz. yeast
1 gallon water
2 lemons
Remove petals by gathering them between the fingers while
holding the base of the flower head. Put petals in the fermenting
vessel and pour on three quarts of boiling water. Leave
to soak for seven days, well covered. Stir daily, and cover
again at once. Strain and wring out fairly tightly and return
the liquor to the fermenting vessel. Boil half the sugar
in a pint of water and when cool add to the liquor, then
add the yeast and the juice of two lemons.
Cover as directed and ferment for seven days. Then pour
carefully into a gallon jar, leaving as much deposit behind
as you can. Boil the rest of the sugar in the remaining
pint of water and when cool add to the rest. Cover as directed
or fit fermentation lock and leave until all fermentation
has ceased.
Dandelion Honey
1 Liter dandelion petals
1 Liter water
3 slices lemon – 1/2 cm thick
1/4 vanilla bean, cut in half
1 kg sugar
Instructions
Pick the dandelions in full sunshine. Pull off all the dandelion
petals and put them in a pot with the water, lemon slices
and vanilla bean. Simmer for about 30 minutes.
Let the mixture sit by the side of the stove for 5 to 6
hours.
Strain to separate the petals from the juice. Return the
juice to the pot and bring to a simmer. Slowly add the sugar
and simmer until desired thickness (takes about 4 hours).
Serve on toast, muffins or danish
Yield: about 1 liter
Recipies from the Alberta
Native Plant Council website:
Including: Dandelion Blossom Jelly, Dandelion
Beer, several kinds of Dandelion wine, Dandelion Pesto,
Dandelion Coffee and more. Click here.
Recipies from Goosefoot Acres
Enter your own dandelion
recipie here
for a chance to win $500! This website also has great information
on cooking tips and why dandelions are so nutritious.
Spray Weeds With Vinegar?
By Don Comis
Some home gardeners already use vinegar as a herbicide, and
some garden stores sell vinegar pesticides. But no one has
tested it scientifically until now.
Agricultural Research Service scientists offer
the first scientific evidence that it may be a potent weedkiller
that is inexpensive and environmentally safe - perfect for
organic farmers.
ARS researchers Jay Radhakrishnan, John R. Teasdale
and Ben Coffman in Beltsville, Md., tested vinegar on major
weeds - common lamb's-quarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf,
smooth pigweed and a thistle - in greenhouse and field studies.
They hand-sprayed the weeds with various solutions
of vinegar, uniformly coating the leaves. The researchers
found that 5- and 10-percent concentrations killed the weeds
during their first two weeks of life. Older plants required
higher concentrations of Vinegar to kill them. At the higher
concentrations, vinegar had an 85- to 100-percent kill rate
at all growth stages. A bottle of household vinegar is about
a 5-percent concentration.
Canada thistle, one of the most tenacious weeds
in the world, proved the most susceptible; the 5-percent concentration
had a 100-percent kill rate of the perennial's top growth.
The 20-percent concentration can do this in about 2 hours.
Spot spraying of cornfields with 20 percent
vinegar killed 80 to 100 percent of weeds without harming
the corn, but the scientists stress the need for more research.
If the vinegar were sprayed over an entire field, it would
cost about $65 per acre. If applied to local weed infestations
only, such as may occur in the crop row after cultivation,
it may only cost about $20 to $30.
The researchers use only vinegar made from
fruits or grains, to conform to organic farming standards.
ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
chief scientific research
agency.
| Corn-Gluten Meal Fertilizer |
|
Corn-Gluten Meal is an orgainc solution to
ridding of weed seeds and seedlings. When applied to your
lawn in spring, it will prevent the germination of many broadleaf
weeds such as dandelions, as well as adding fertilizer since
it contains approximately 10% nitrogen.
Research site on corn gluten meal: http://www.gluten.iastate.edu/
To see where Corn-Gluten Meal Fertilizer is available, go to the resources page.
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