The signs are appearing. Small ones tucked in corners of still-glistening lawns announcing chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers have been applied: Stay away. Amid those warnings, other yards display perkier signs touting “bee safe” spaces; pesticides need not apply.
A lawn war is brewing in the city.
On Monday, the Portland Press Herald asked on Page A1 if our plan to ban is “a model or a mistake.” There are passionate voices on both sides of the year’s most compelling environmental issue.
One big concern is: What then? So we kick neonicotinoids and Roundup and the sprays that make our grass greener on both sides to the curb and then …?
Valid question.
As with anything new, there’s a learning curve. No need to reinvent any wheels; there are proven methods to solve most situations without destroying microbes in soil, contaminating water, putting kids and pets at risk, or killing precious pollinators.
I’m an organic gardener and beekeeper. I’m also lazy. I am not going to read dozens of studies or watch lengthy YouTube videos. I ask those already qualified and copy them. There are plenty of resources: Edgewood Nurseries in Falmouth, Highland Avenue Greenhouse in Scarborough, and Eldredge Lumber and Hardware in York are locally owned businesses where you can learn about and purchase organic lawn and garden treatments.
In an incredible stroke of timing, the 34th National Pesticides Forum will be at the University of Southern Maine this Friday and Saturday. There, top scientists, policymakers and environmental health advocates will share the latest research and techniques on how Portland can evolve into a leading green community. (More information is available at www.beyondpesticides.org.)
I am hopeful the lawn care companies, city staff and others who are nervous about this ban will attend so they can hear from national experts and embrace (and ultimately benefit from) this vital movement.
Maggie J. Knowles
co-founder, Portland Protectors
Yarmouth
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