1. Why use organic fertilizers instead of chemicals?

Several really good reasons. First is that organic fertilizers work better than chemicals. Some will disagree with that statement based on the fact that chemicals do get quicker results. Organics will give you longer lasting results. The primary reason is because the organic fertilizers feed the soil which in turn feeds the plants. Healthy soil will have the nutrients available when the plants need them. Some experts have stated that as little as 2% of the chemical fertilizers actually reach the plants. Where does the rest go? When chemicals are used plants will use only what they need, at that particular time. Unused chemicals are leached away. The second good reason is that the organic products are safer to use than the artificially produced products. They do not leave dangerous residual materials that are toxic to people or the environment. The third reason is that the chemical fertilizers can “burn” your plants. This is because the chemicals fertilizers are mostly made out of salts, and the salts will build up in your soil. You wouldn’t put salt on your lawn would you?

2. I have heard that using organics is more costly than chemicals, is this true?

The organic products may cost a little more initially however in the long run they are more cost effective. Because as the organic products are used the soil health is increased and fewer applications will be necessary. Chemical applications must increase as they are destroying the health of the soil. Just like a drug addict they have to use more and more dope to get high. Using organic products are more cost effective as chemicals if you factor in the added savings of less work, and less plant replacement, and the big one is if you have a healthy organically balanced yard then you will use less water to keep it beautiful.

3. When I shop at the grocery store the organic fruits and vegetables are less attractive than their “regular” counter parts. Why is this so?

The simple answer is that the organic products are grown for their flavor and nutrients. The “regular” ones are grown for eye appeal Nutrition, flavor and safety are not necessarily part of their equation.

4. What exactly is the service that Nematode Nick’s offers for lawn care.

Nematode Nick’s service is a bi-monthly fertilization service using only organic or organically compatible products. The basic service is; first we apply dry, time released, organic fertilizer, followed by a liquid spray treatment of what we call Natures Tea. Natures Tea is a mixture of an organic foliar feeding fertilizer, root stimulator, plant strengthener, teaming with naturally occurring live microbes and a energy source for the microbes. The subsequent treatments are primarily the Nature’s Tea spray until the last service of the season, then we adjust the formula to get the plants ready for winter. Nematode Nick’s trained technicians will evaluate your landscape on each visit to determine if there are any other problems that need to be addressed.

5. Ever since I can remember I have heard about nematodes being harmful, now I have people telling me to put them on my grass, what gives?

That is a great question. Just as with people there are good ones and bad ones. The nematodes that are harmful are not the ones we put on your lawn. There are actually more beneficial nematodes than there are harmful ones. The beneficial nematodes are very specific in what they attack. Because they are so specific we are able to target the pest. Two very important features about using nematodes is first; they interrupt the life cycle of the target pest thus preventing them from multiplying. Second, once they have eliminated their supply of target pest the nematodes die off and do not attack helpful critters.

If you have a question click on ‘Nemy the Nematode’ to email Nick.