Organic Lawn Project at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Stockbridge - The Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Massachusetts has opened the Natural Lawn Demonstration Plot, an environmental project constructed to teach visitors to create organic lawns. With home lawns covering over 30 million acres in the USA, lawns make up the largest agricultural crop in the country. With so many of the lawns treated regularly with weed and insect killers, these hazardous materials affect people, pets, children and the environment. Taking a lead role in environmental education, the Berkshire Botanical Garden has created a new way to teach visitors how to achieve a beautiful lawn without the use of harmful additives.“This project is all part of our year-long Nurturing Garden theme,” comments Executive Director, John Parker. “The issue of using harmful chemicals is a hugely important topic to us at Berkshire Botanical Garden and for anyone with a lawn or garden.”
The natural lawn project is being cared for “Back to Nature”, an organic lawn and garden care company based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The project promotes several basic ideas that most lawn owners can apply. These techniques suggest over-seeding lawns and using a slice-seeder to minimize weeds. Use quality grass seed and maintain moisture and cordon off for two weeks after seeding. Use organic non-toxic fertilizer on the area twice in the spring and once in the fall. For more tips and information, visit the Garden Lawn project open through October 15. Back to Nature may be reached at 413-447-7582 or 413-443-9387.
On display currently at Berkshire Botanical Garden is "Bigger Than Life" nature sculptures. Enjoy over 10 oversized birds, bees, butterflies and bears. Fo r information, please call 413-298-3926 or visit: www.berkshirebotanical.org.
