PESTICIDE-FREE NEW CANAAN
Land Care Professionals and Providers of Organic Products
- Ask for non- and least toxic alternatives. Tell them that you are concerned about the use of synthetic pesticides and would like to use only non-toxic or least-toxic alternatives.
- Be persistent. Many providers will give you a slew of reasons why you shouldn't worry about the health risks of pesticides, and still try to tell you that conventional toxic pesticides are more effective. Don't give in. In virtually all cases there are excellent prevention measures, all more effective over time and not associated with the high risk for pesticide poisoning. Also, synthetic pesticides end up costing more money in the long run.
- Ask whether the alternatives proposed are OMRI-listed or approved. Don’t trust something just because it is described as “organic” or “biodegradable.” The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a national nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI-listed or approved products may be used on operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.
- If they continue to plug chemical pesticides, ask which pesticides they are proposing to use. Background materials on the pesticides should then be assembled and reviewed. Ask the applicator to provide copies of the pesticide label and Material Safety Data Sheet on the pesticide(s). For additional information on the toxicity and health risks of a pesticide, go to beyondpesticides.org to consult their toxic pesticides directory. If the company is proposing to use a chemical that does not appear on this website, contact Beyond Pesticides at info@beyondpesticides.org or call (202) 543-5450.
- Request verification of the training and state certification of those applying the pesticides. Those handling the pesticides are often operating “under the supervision” of trained personnel. Ask the company applying the pesticide whether the applicator has been trained and tested by the state. Ask that a copy of the certificate be provided for review.
- Find a provider that specializes in organic land care. The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Connecticut chapter has developed Organic Land Care Standards with NOFA/MASS to educate about the benefits of and strategies for maintaining chemical-free lawns, gardens, and yards. For a list of NOFA-accredited professionals go to organiclandcare.net.
Contact Information for Land Care Professionals and Providers of Organic Products
How to talk to your Land Care Professional
Contact Information for Land Care Professionals and Providers of Organic Products
The following are providers in Fairfield County Connecticut with whom we consult and feel comfortable referring. Those who are NOFA certified have completed the coursework required for accreditation in organic land care by the Northeast Organic Farming Association. This is an important credential, yet there are also professionals without NOFA accreditation who are knowledgeable about pesticide-free landscaping. Regardless, always specify that you want organic. Those below are individuals who we feel have demonstrated in-depth knowledge in this area, and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to our health and safety by taking seriously the requests of their patrons.
Artscape Organic Care
203.322.7027
203.252.1954
Contact: Mike Papa, NOFA Accredited
Lawn care, plant health, drainage. Only does organic. Extremely knowledgeable, a highly experienced advocate of organic lawn care.
Beauregard Horticultural Services
203.300.6460
Contact: Cathy Beauregard
Horticulture, landscape design. Only does organic.
Copia Home & Garden
914.533.7242
475 Smith Ridge Road (Rt. 123)
South Salem (Vista), NY 10590
Contact: Jennifer or Peter
Fantastic selection of organic and non-toxic products for lawns and gardens. Jennifer and Peter are extremely knowledgeable and can provide guidance on everything organic.
Go Organic LLC
860.935.5235
Contact: John Tycz, NOFA Accredited
Lawn Fertilization, Perennial Plant Care, Installations, Vegetable
Gardens, Raised Bed Gardens, Nutrient Dense Fertilization, Athletic
Fields, Lawn Renovations, Deer Repellant, Tick Control, Do-it-yourself
Lawn Programs. Only does organic.
www.GoOrganicLLc.com
Homegrown Harvest
203.216.8431 (Cell)
203.966.1623 (Office)
Contact: Christine Segalas
Professionals who establish your vegetable garden and teach you how to
properly maintain it. Also provide garden-sitting services during
vacations.
www.homegrownharvest.com
Mow Green
203.209.5979 (Cell)
203.548.7335 (Office)
Contact: Dan Delventhal
One-stop, full-service organic landscaper—from organic inputs to mowing, aerating, clean ups, pruning, edging and mulching. Equipped with quiet, commercial battery-powered mowers and blowers that use no gasoline. Professional staff aligned with values of sustainability.
www.mowgreen.us
New Canaan Healthfare
203.966.5400
2 Morse Court
New Canaan, CT 06840
Organic and non-toxic tick and insect repellents for the skin. Also have
essential oils (oregano, cedar, etc.) that can be used to repel ticks
on pets.
www.newcanaanhealthfare.com
The Organic Yard
914.764.5491 (Office)
organicyard2014@gmail.com
Contact: Mark Miller
Provides full range of organic lawn care services.
www.theorganicyard.co
Sav-A-Lawn
203.853.9526
mpantano@savatree.com
Contact: Michael Pantano
Lawn care, tree care, tick control. Offering organic and transitional hybrid programs.
To find other organic land care professionals that service this area, do
a search on the Northeast Organic Farming Association's website: organiclandcare.net.
After clicking this link select the orange "Search" box at the
top/center of the page, then in the "Service Category" drop box select
"Mowing" and put in the zip code 06840. This will generate 22 hits of
which a handful will be one or two towns away.
How to Talk to Your Land Care Professional
Beyond Pesticides
This is always our first stop for information on health, advocacy,
policy, and how-to’s. Beyond Pesticides provides a wealth of useful
information on pesticides and alternatives to their use, all of it
easily accessible through its website. The organization also publishes a
wide variety of brochures, information packets, and reports.
Native Plant Finder Best-selling author and entomologist, Doug Tallamy of Bringing Nature Home and other titles explains the critical role that native plants play in our suburban gardens and ecosystem. This link provides a list of appropriate plants based on your zipcode.
UCONN Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
A soil test through University of Connecticut costs $8.00 and should be
done before you do anything at all to your lawn. This link takes you to
the University of Connecticut's soil test form and questionnaire.
Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA) CT
NOFA is another source we use regularly, most helpful for finding
NOFA-accredited providers and for holding lectures and classes on
organic landscaping.
Safe Lawns Founded by Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual,
this coalition of non- and for-profit organizations educates about the
benefits of environmentally responsible lawn care and gardening, and
seeks to effect a change in consumer and industry behavior. See them for
how-to videos about organic lawn care, and a full-length feature
documentary about the origin of the anti-lawn pesticide movement, titled
A Chemical Reaction.
Pesticide Free Zone Based
in Marin County, California, this group introduced the national
Pesticide Free Zone campaign, which consists of displaying the ladybug
yard sign as a tool for raising awareness, to quietly remind all who see
it to think before applying poisonous pesticides.
Connecticut laboratories that test well water List of in-state approved laboratories certified to test drinking water.
Georgia’s Legacy Canine Cancer Resource Link
to this site and click on “Lawn Chemicals & Your Dog” in the menu
bar for detailed information on how these dangerous chemicals affect our
pets.
Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA)
ELA is a member-based organization made up of professionals,
businesses, and pro-active community members who believe in using
landscape practices that are environmentally safe and beneficial.