Why is it so important to have an organic lawn? What are the dangers of chemical and unnatural fertilizers?

Recently, in order to combat the rise of drinking water pollution in the area, the MA town of Orleans made a move to ban all chemical fertilizers. 

While the ban caused some kick-back in the town from people who want to continue their lawn care without the town’s involvement, overall, the town seems confident that the fertilization ban is the right way to go when it comes to the health and wellness of its citizens.

However, Orleans isn’t the only town realizing their community’s water pollution problems. Fertilization and pesticide regulations are becoming more widespread in New England, and the question is, why? Why are synthetic chemical fertilizers so bad for us and the environment?

When used on the ground surface, the soil and groundwater end up taking in a portion of the chemicals and metals used in such products. These nitrates seep into and contaminate the groundwater, which then becomes our drinking water. 

Chemical fertilizers are highly acidic and, as the name suggests, full of synthetic chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals when consumed. 

Research has shown that these chemical fertilizers can cause significant issues for the local aquatic ecosystems, as well. The ‘Alliance for the Great Lakes’ writes that chemical fertilizer runoff, which flows into lakes and is caused by rainfall, causes “a bumper crop of algae each year that can make water toxic to fish, wildlife, and people.” 

If all of these synthetic fertilizers are polluting the groundwater and making our towns unsafe, then how can we effectively and ethically garden and landscape our lawns?

This is where we can help. Pure Solutions specializes in all-natural, all-organic lawn care and pest control treatments. You can still have a green and healthy lawn without the harmful chemicals or pesticides that make your yard an unsafe place to play and, in the meantime, you reduce your carbon footprint.

Sources:

“How Chemical Fertilizers Cause Water Pollution?” Conserve Energy Future, 28 July 2022, How Chemical Fertilizers Cause Water Pollution? - Conserve Energy Future (conserve-energy-future.com)

Eldred, Rich. “Orleans Voters Approve Fertilizer Ban, Nix Short-Term Rental Regulations.” Cape Cod Times, Cape Cod Times, 19 Oct. 2022, https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/local/2022/10/19/orleans-voters-ok-fertilizer-ban-4-votes/10530049002/ 

“Lake Erie Algae Blooms.” Alliance for the Great Lakes, 2 Aug. 2022, https://greatlakes.org/campaigns/lake-erie-algae-blooms/#:~:text=Lake%20Erie's%20algae%20blooms%20are%20caused%20by%20runoff%20pollution