I recently met with the head of Parks and Forestry in Needham, where I live. We’ve cared for the Needham Heights Common organically for 11 years now and it always looks good. Now the town is using organic methods on the fields and parks and getting good results. Besides not using harmful chemicals, the town is improving the soil, feeding the biology and slice seeding. Those are the same things we do.

The program is based on a real appreciation of the soil. The town faces challenges we don’t. The fields are in heavy use from early April until October, budgets are always tight and as a former Little League coach, I know that many residents don’t appreciate the work the town does. The maintenance crews don’t worry about weeds. The slice seeding and core aeration takes care of that problem. Their real problem is grubs.

I think last year (2012) was a banner year for grubs. With no snow cover and low temperatures, grubs thrived in the soils that never froze in the warmest winter ever. Usually a lot of grubs expire in a deep freeze. This year has been great. Those poor grubs. We have had success applying a layer of compost on areas where grubs have had success in the past. The operation takes place the first week of July when the beetles are laying their eggs. They don’t seem to lay their eggs in fresh compost. We’ve had no grubs in 13 of 15 lawns we did this to last year – read more about grubs here.

The town of Needham has asked us to try this compost method on one of their fields in 2013. We’re confident we’ll get the town the results they need. Are you interested in switching to organic lawn care to improve your family’s health and the health of your soil? Contact us today.