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PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:40 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:40 pm
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Location: Kaufman area
He's arguing with me about why I want to use non-toxic fertilizer and pest control. He doesn't seem to think it's a real problem or harmful, at least only for a little while. He doesn't understand what toxic or organic means. He thinks that it ought to be cheaper if it's organic, and that it's all a scam. I am the one who buys all the household products for ourselves and our pets- which are non-toxic. However, he's in-charge of the yard (we live on 5 acres in the country, near Kaufman and Cedar Creek Lake)- so how can I convince him that he can effectively and beneficially treat the yard without toxins?? He's upset that he still has $50 worth of stuff left over from last year that I don't want him to use. Also, he wants to kill the grubs in the yard, even though I've told him about Mole Scram for the moles. PLease help, it's really causing quite a problem with us arguing- he thinks I'm an idiot about this...yes, I know...Melissa

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:28 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 1:52 pm
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
Chemical fertilizers provide an "empty" type of food directly to the plants. This is like the empty calories we get from eating pure refined sugar. Microbes provide full service to the plants. They decompose dead plant and animal residues to humus; combine nitrogen and carbon to prevent nutrient loss; suppress disease; produce plant growth regulators; develop soil structure, tilth, and water penetration/retention; clean up chemical residues; shift soil pH toward neutral; retrieve nutrients from distant parts of the soil; decompose thatch; and control nitrogen supply to the plants according to need. Besides that, if a chemical fertilizer contains NPK of 10-10-10, nobody knows what the 70% of unlisted stuff is in the chemical bag that is not fertilizer.

He should be able to see the warnings on the bag itself and understand that it's telling you that this product is so toxic that could kill birds, fish and frogs and you shouldn't touch it with bare hands. That alone should convince him. If he sees more than 6 or so grubs in a square ft patch, you may want to treat grubs with beneficial nematodes, otherwise he needs to let it go. You will never be totally grub-free.

Give him the facts, tell him how important it is to his health (all of ours really) and tell him how important it is to you that he do this. The rest is up to him.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:14 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
Hi Sandi,

I am printing your 'reply' for my neighbor. She has been trying so hard to get her husband to switch to Organics.

Very nicely stated!

Best regards,
Char Harris
Flower Mound, TX


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:10 pm 
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Joined: Sun May 23, 2010 11:31 am
Posts: 12
With in the last two years, Men's Health had an article featuring the health effects of chemical fertilizers and weed & feeds.

Have your husband read that and see if he'd like to continue using chemicals.


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