Fashions change, prices change, automobiles change. But, most of us have a very hard time changing or adjusting to new landscape procedures. We just want to have the greenest manicured lawn in the neighborhood. We all need to come to the understanding that the things we do to our yard affect our family, community, and environment.

How many of you have already purchased and distributed fertilizer with weed control on your lawn? How many of you have already spread fire ant or mole cricket control or sprayed some type of fungicide on your yard. I know that there are a lot of you that have already made this drastic move and there are many of you that are chomping at the bit to get out there on a sunny afternoon and spread some toxic waste.

If you have not already taken this step or thinking about taking this step, please stop and consider the amount of toxic chemicals you are/or will be placing in the area where you are going to send your child or dog out to play. Would you smoke in your car with your child in the back seat? I don’t think so.

Why do we have to use so many chemicals just to make our grass green? Many of you have moved to Bryan County because of work, but many have moved from the frigid north to be in the most beautiful county in Georgia. Our county has some of the best schools, beautiful natural landscapes, and great weather. So, why do we bring so many of our old, traditional landscape practices with us?

Think of it this way – we all live in a watershed and everything we do in our landscape impacts the waterways and natural ecosystem. Once we make this connection, we will have no choice but to re-evaluate our landscape practices and to act in ways that reduce waste and toxic chemicals, reduce pollution and enhance the natural environment.

In the next few weeks I will bring to you some alternatives to traditional landscaping that will sustain and enhance out natural ecosystem, plus gives a pleasing, beneficial and safe environment for our children.

Pests are not the problem; they are the symptom of the problem.