P.A.M. is dissolved as a group

We have decided to pool our resources with MILTONGREEN.

Please keep an eye on www.Miltongreen.org and email us at jim.steeves@sympatico.ca if you wish.

We are rooting for the Provincial Government to stick to their promise to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides this year. Please let you MPP know your views!!

Council rejects Cosmetic use of pesticide bylaw with exemptions

On 28 May, 2007 three Milton councillors (Schau, Best and Day) voted for a ban on the use of pesticides for purely cosmetic reasons - with exemptions for farming and health reasons.

Unfortunately the remaining councillors didn't seem to heed the concerns of the many Milton citizens who presented nor the warnings and concerns of the Cancer Society, The Registered Nurses association of Ontario, the Ontario College of Family Physicians among many others.

Once again, we cannot practice "Prudent Avoidance" as recommended by our Halton Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Nosal.

When chemical pesticides are sprayed, the lawns are not the only thing getting exposed. When you smell it... you're exposed, just that simple! And you had no choice!!

Dr. Nosal has made public the following statement: "Given the limitations of current provincial and federal regulations, the Medical Officer of Health supports initiatives and measures taken by municipalities to reduce the use of pesticides for lawn care including by-laws that restrict pesticide use on private property."


Do YOU believe that these sprays are innocuous (the pesticide advocates have suggested equivalent to baby Aspirin and less than 1% active ingredient)? Actual levels don't have much meaning. For example, PCB levels of less than 0.5 parts per Million have been demonstrated to cause serious health effects. Every compound has different toxic characteristics.

See the Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/article/217927 for more demonstrations of problems with pesticides.

Oakville and Pickering now have bans

134 municipalities now have bylaws banning the cosmetic use of pesticides

Oakville Council voted 9:3 for a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides on 12 February

See www.towntv.ca especially 12 February. Hear what the pesticde advocates were saying about the pro side and listen to some eloquent councellor comments.

Pickering followed a day or two later.

P.A.M.'s Green Guide to a Healthy Lawn

SPRING:
Rake to remove dead material and winter debris
De-thatch: if you have more than 1 – 2cm of thatch. Use special rake or machine
Aerate: if lawn is compacted. (if you can easily insert a screwdriver right down to the handle, you’re okay)
Top-Dress: with a thin layer of screened compost or weed-free topsoil. (Ideal lawn has 6” of topsoil, repeated top dressing builds it up)
Seed or sod: any bare patches
(use drought tolerant grass seed, such as fine fescue, or perennial ryegrass- look for endophytic ryegrass which provides resistance to white grugs) Consider using dutch white clover to increase nitrogen in lawn or alternative ground covers to grass.
Fertilize: with organic fertilizer
(Try corn gluten: a natural fertilizer which discourages weeds from germinating – but apply 6 weeks after over seeding. Apply in April and September). Don’t over fertilize!
Shampoo: the lawn if you have insect problems such as sod webworm or chinch bugs. Use hose-end sprayer to deliver 15ml/l of biodegradable dishwashing soap to affected areas. Apply when grass is dry and no rain is forecast for a few days. Spray twice, a month apart. Alternatively sprinkle biodegradable laundry soap and water in.

SUMMER:
Mow high (3” at least) removing no more than 1/3 blade at a time. Leave short clippings on the lawn to return nutrients and keep moisture in.
Water deeply 1” once a week in dry weather.
Nematodes: can be applied for white grubs. (These are micro-organisms which directly attack them. Follow instructions carefully)

AUTUMN:
Aerate if needed
Top Dress
Overseed in September
Seed or sod any damaged areas
Shampoo any insect infested areas

Keep in mind: a healthy lawn supported by healthy soil will resist weeds and pests. Be patient while this transition takes place.

A chemical free garden