Organic Land Care Program | Northeast Organic Farming Association
Guide to Organic Land Care 2011-2012
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care2
Dear Concerned Citizen:
Welcome to the seventh annual NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care.
Thank you for your interest in organic land care and in landscape practices that will increase biodiversity, improve soil health, avoid toxic substances and create natural beauty.
The mission of the NOFA Organic Land Care program is to extend the vision and principles of organic agriculture to the care of the landscapes where most people live, work, play, and otherwise spend their daily lives.
According to the USDA organic agriculture is an “ecological production management system that pro-motes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communi-ties of soil life, plants, animals and people.”
NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals (AOLCPs) have been organically trained and accred-ited, and pledge to provide organic land care according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, first published in 2001. These standards are similar to the national organic standards for food.
Our standards define organic landscape management as an approach that:• Does not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. • Focuses on building healthy soils that reduce the need for watering and fertilizing. • Increases biodiversity and avoids invasive species. • Reduces the risk to children and pets from pesticides. • Uses fertilization materials and methods that are less likely to pollute water.
NOFA has been training and accrediting professional organic landscapers for over ten years. We now have over 540 AOLCPs practicing in 20 states.
In this Guide you will find a list of NOFA accredited professionals as well as educational articles that will help you care for your own landscape organically, creating natural beauty. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you, you will find useful tips here.
Our accredited professionals have established that, over the long run, organic management techniques offer the same cultural benefits, such as beauty, functionality, and cost effectiveness, as synthetic chemical methods, but at a much lower environmental and health cost.
For a searchable database of our AOLCPs, a copy of our standards, more articles, a calendar of courses and events, and other aspects of our program, please visit our website: www.organiclandcare.net.
Bill DuesingExecutive Director CT NOFA
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 3
Organic Land Care Committee Members
Dwight Brooks Interim Chair Dwight Brooks
Horticulturist, Inc. Katonah, NY
Frank Crandall Frank Crandall
Horticultural Services Providence, RI
Diane Devore Devore Associates
Fairfield, CT
Dr. Michael Klemens Carey Institute of
Ecosystems Studies Millbrook, NY
Dr. Sarah Little Toxics Use Reduction
Consultant Wellesley, MA
Mike Nadeau Plantscapes, Inc.
Fairfield, CT
Chip Osborne Osborne’s Organics Marblehead, MA
James Roby CT NOFA President
Peter Schmidt Compostwerks Mt. Kisco, NY
Camilla Worden Camilla Landscape
Design, LLC Brookfield, CT
StaffElaine Lengyel
NOFA Organic Land Care Program Director
Oxford, CT
Clara Buitrago NOFA Organic Land Care
Accreditation Manager Oxford, CT
Kristiane Huber NOFA Organic Land Care
Event, Marketing, and Outreach Coordinator Oxford, CT
Bill Duesing CT NOFA
Executive Director Oxford, CT
Marion Griswold CT NOFA Bookkeeper Oxford, CT
Debra Legge CT NOFA
Office Manager Oxford, CT
Kathy Litchfield NOFA/MA Organic
Land Care Coordinator Gill, MA
Teresa Mucci CT NOFA
Events Coordinator Oxford, CT
Debora Semonich CT NOFA
Administrative Assistant Oxford, CT
Reference5 | OLC Course Information10 | The AOLCP Online Searchable Database 25 | Local AOLCP Listings by State and County53 | State Pesticide Information59 | Speakers’ Corner
AOLCPs in the News6 | Sally Naish: Got Shade? 9 | Chris Baliko: Essential Secrets of an Organic Landscape
Book Excerpt 11 | Ecosystems: Key Concepts12 | Water: Key Concepts14 | Soil Is Alive16 | Lawns20 | Learn More23 | Checklist for Eco-Friendly Lawns and Yards
Articles55 | Attracting Beneficial Insects57 | Coping With Ticks in the Home Landscape
contents
About UsThe Organic Land Care Program is a
project of the Connecticut chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.
All information in this Guide is based on our records at the time of printing. Contact the Accreditation Manager at
203-888-5146 with questions or changes.
Guide Design and Layout: Kanani Milles, [email protected]. Cover, Top: Photo © Catherine
Zimmerman, The Meadow Project, www.themeadowproject.com. Cover, Bottom: Photo © Karen Bussolini. All Rights
Reserved. Karen Bussolini is a professional garden photographer, writer, lecturer, eco-friendly garden coach and AOLCP.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care4
Landscaping on natures terms since 1980
Custom Organic Maintenance Programs
Natural Design & Installation
Wetland & Upland Restoration
Creation of Natural Habitats
Lawn Alternatives
Organic Consulting & Site Analysis
Basic & Biological Soil Analysis
Compost Tea Applications
Plant & Soil Health Care Programs
Native Plantings
Visit our gallery at www.plantscapesorganics.com
Specializing in creating and caring for organic landScapeS
Plantscapes Inc. P.O. Box 320685 Fairfield, CT 06825 P (203) 382-0335 F (203) 382-0777NOFA-Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals | CT Licensed Arborist and Custom Grounds Supervisor #S2878
Home Improvement Contractor #550834 | CT Pest Control #B-0006
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 5
11th Annual Course in Organic Land CareNOFA offers an intensive five-day comprehensive organic land care course, which is a requirement for anyone who wishes to become a NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. It has been offered annually in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island; and, in 2009 for the first time, in New York. The course is taught by highly experienced organic land care professionals, scientists, and technical experts and covers a wide range of information. The course will be offered again starting in January 2012. The dates and venues will be posted at www.organiclandcare.net.
Organic Land Care Annual GatheringThis annual meeting for NOFA Accredited Professional takes place in December of each year in either Connecticut or Massachusetts. The topic varies from year to year, including in the past: biodiver-sity, native plants, meadowscaping in big and small spaces, woody plant physiology, pollinators and the landscape, integrating edibles into the landscape, conservation grazing, merging soil chemistry and biology, the Asian Longhorn Beetle and other wood boring insects, making and customizing compost teas, and maintaining curb appeal with native plants. Registration is open first to NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals and then to other land care profes-sionals. The course will be offered again on December 6, 2011 at the University of Connecticut. For more information, go to www.organiclandcare.net.
NOFA Advanced Workshop SeriesWorkshops within this series are designed to be conducted in small groups in an outdoor setting, led by experienced AOLCPs who are experts in the topic. These workshops provide a unique experience to work one-on-one with highly experienced NOFA OLC Accredited Professionals. Last year’s topics included edible landscaping with fruit, organic invasive remoral, soil testing, compost tea, and turf nutrition. The dates, topics and venues of this year’s series will be posted at www.organiclandcare.net.
NOFA organic land care courses
Visit www.organiclandcare.net to learn of upcoming educational opportunities. For more info: (203) 888-5146.
Looking for an AOLCP to speak at your next educational event?
Visit the Speaker’s Corner on page 59 for a listing of AOLCPs who are available to
discuss organic land care practices with you and your group.
Dr. Steven R. AlmDonald Bishop
Nancy DuBrule-ClementeHeather Crawford
Dan DaltonMaryAnn DipintoSharon DouglasCurtis DragonBill DuesingLori Gibson
Todd HarringtonRose Hiskes
Chuck HorbertJohn HowellFrank Koll
Marion LarsonBill & Linda LillieAnn McGovernMike Nadeau
Fred NewcombeChip Osborne
Dr. Robert RafkaDr. Cheryl Smith
Kirby Stafford, Ph.D.Marie Stella
Kimberly Stoner, Ph.D.Dr. Sam Telford III
Amy VickersPaul Wagner
Scott WilliamsCamilla Worden
To all of our dedicated NOFA Organic Land Care 5-day
Accreditation Course Speakers!
Thank You
2011-2012
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care6
In many ways, the conditions for gardening in New England are a challenge. When the European settlers first arrived, they found a densely forested land full of boulders, rocks, sand and other debris left behind by the ice age. They cleared the land for farming, creating miles of stone walls at the edges of their fields. When the farms were abandoned, much of the land returned to forest, but not with the biodiversity the settlers had found here. Many Eu-ropean plants now crowded out natives. That’s why plant-ing native species is so important. It’s not just an aesthetic choice. It’s a way to protect and encourage our indigenous
By Christine Aquilino
Do you fret that you can’t have a beautiful garden because your property has too much shade? Not to worry. Arlington resident Sally Naish is a certified landscape designer and accredited organic land care professional, and she says, “There’s hardly ever too much shade.”
Got Shade?
flora and the butterflies, birds and insects that depend upon them for survival.
Light Conditions Defined Your natural woodland garden begins with understand-
ing what defines various light conditions. Naish says, “People often confuse sun and light.” A “full sun” plant, for example, may not need direct sun all day. Six hours of sun may do, as long as it gets bright light for the remain-der of the day. Catalogs usually call this “sun or part sun.” A “part shade” plant requires two or more hours of direct
AOLCPS in the News: Sally Naish
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 7
Sally Naish: Got Shade? | AOLCPs In The News
midday sun. But the most common condition that we find here is light shade: Early morning or late afternoon sun or filtered light dappling down through the treetops.
Many of our most beautiful native plants do well in light shade, like the musky scented spicebush (Lindera benzoin), host plant to the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, and the showy oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) loved by pollinating insects. Another is the pagoda dogwood (Cor-nus alternifolia); the cream-colored flowers turn to blue-black berries, which is a food source for many species of songbirds.
Some shrubs manage in deep shade. The deciduous hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides or V. alnifolium) with its delicate, complex white flowers is a good choice for a shady spot. And our native rhododendrons can grow in deep shade, especially if planted when young.
Dense shade is rare. And, Naish says, “if other condi-tions are right, there’s almost always something that will grown there.” She suggests two ways to lessen dense shade: “A wall blocking out light might be painted white, so that light reflects off of it. Trees may be limbed up or the canopy thinned to allow more light to reach the area below.”
What About The Soil?“Everything begins with the soil,” says Naish. One ap-
proach is to work with the soil that’s already there, choos-ing plants that fit those conditions. Another is to amend the soil.
Well-drained, sandy soil is the preferred medium of bear-berry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Bearberry is an evergreen groundcover or low-growing shrub common on Cape Cod under the pitch pines and scrub oaks there. I planted sev-eral in my yard, but all the plants died except the one in a sandy spot. It’s a pretty plant and another wildlife favorite.
What about clay? Some suggest adding sand to clay, but Naish says, “Then the clay resembles cement.” Instead, she suggests adding lots of organic material or compost to the area. She also suggests lasagna layering, a simple way to turn an unproductive area of poor soil into a productive fertile one by adding layers of newspaper, compost and any organic matter. (For precise instructions, Google “Lasagna Gardening” or see Patricia Lanza’s book Lasagna Garden-ing: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens.)
Sometimes plants do very well in one part of your garden but don’t in another, even when conditions seem similar. That’s when it’s wise to have the soil tested. UMass-Am-herst offers affordable soil testing by mail (www.umass.edu/soiltest). The lab will test for acidity, nutrients, toxic metals and salts. The testing results will come with easy-to-follow soil amendment recommendations.
Use Natural Landscape As A GuideTake a walk through a shady deciduous or pine forest,
one that hasn’t been taken over by invasives, and you’ll see a splendid diversity of native under-story shrubs, flowers and groundcovers. Using native plants, you too can create a beautiful shade garden on your property. It will be both pleasing to the eye and good for the earth. What could be better than that?
Photo: AOLCP Sally Naish.To contact Sally Naish or to learn more about her services, visit www.lightandshadegardens.com. View this article online at: www.wickedlocal.com/ar-lington/archive/x13275909/Guest-commentary-Got-shade#ixzz1HRtA9DpCChristine Aquilino is a habitat gardener committed to sus-tainable gardening practices using native plants. She can be reached by e-mailing [email protected].
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care8
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Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 9
Hallelujah! Unless Mother Nature hoodwinks us, it ap-pears our distressed landscapes will con-tinue oh-so-slowly emerging from their
icy blanket of snow. Chances are we’re finished with the dastardly winter of 2011. Good riddance!
Our thoughts can now turn to spring, to all things green and gorgeous, such as our lawns. What’s that you say? Despite loads of fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides over the years, your lawn hasn’t been up to snuff? Well, this may be the perfect opportunity to rethink how to care for that green sward, that little patch of suburbia, that signature of success.
If you’re tired of pampering it with chemical concoctions for meager results, and you’re concerned about the amount of unnatural substances dumped on it these many years, this may be the time to go organic.
Chris Baliko, a University of Connecticut graduate ac-credited in organic land care by Northeast Organic Farming Association is co-owner of Growing Solutions (www.growso.com), a Fairfield County lawn and landscape company. He, and a burgeoning number of professionals, believes it’s pos-sible to care for our surroundings in a better way. Organi-cally.
Why organic? Several simple reasons: Natural land care focuses on developing a healthy soil chock full of living things; it costs less money in the long run because whole-some soil reduces the need for watering; and it produces healthier, longer-living plants.
Baliko doesn’t use synthetics because they aren’t well-behaved... they don’t stay put. Instead, rainwater washes pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers into groundwater and streams, where they’re absorbed by plants and other living things, and move up the food chain to accumulate in fish, birds, wildlife and people. Not good.
Growing Solutions is one of a number of companies which assist people who wish to treat the earth and its
It’s never been easier to go organic. Companies like Growing Solutions are available to help us help Mother Earth remain hale and hearty for our families and our eco-system. For everybody’s sake, now is the time to come to the aid of your yard.
Essential Secrets Of an
Photo: AOLCP Chris Baliko of Growing Solutions, LLC.View this article online at: www.newstimes.com/default/ar-ticle/Essential-secrets-of-an-organic-landscape-1176948.phpContact Colleen Plimpton at [email protected] with gardening questions.
By Colleen Plimpton
inhabitants with respect. Baliko’s accredited staff will provide a custom lawn care program based on a soil test. Other services include design, property management, tick management, planting, transplanting, large tree care, ir-rigation, night lighting, seasonal display and more - all in tune with Mother Nature.
If you’re tentative about going organic, Baliko and his collaborative company will hold your hand while you tiptoe into the unknown zone. He understands, and can teach you ecologically responsible alternatives to the issues which plague gardeners.
AOLCP in the News: cHRIS bALIKO
organic landscape
Here are some of his tips: n For a better lawn: Sharpen those mower
blades, and in season cut grass only to about 4 inches.
n To avoid winter lawn disease: At the last autumn mowing, cut grass to 2 inches. This will help avoid smothering and fungus.
n To control crabgrass: Apply liquid or granular forms of corn gluten. (But, as with any pre-emergent, don’t use when planning to re-seed).
n To evict moles: Bury a Mole Chaser, (a battery-operated probe which emits sound waves disagreeable to moles). Use Repellex.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care10
AOLCP Online searchable databaseLooking for an organic landscaping professional? Organic Landscaper Search—NOFA’s online
searchable database of Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals (AOLCPs)—is a wonderful resource to homeowners and property managers searching for professionals who can maintain their property organically.
Access the Organic Landscaper Search at our website, www.organiclandcare.net. Click on the “Search” button under the “Landscape Search” box.
With thanks to our supporters. Funding for this project was generously provided by the Long Island Sound Future Fund, Quinnipiac River Fund, New-man’s Own Foundation, NE IPM, Watershed Fund, and the Long Island Sound Future Fund
Visit www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search/ to find an AOLCP near you.
There are now more than 500 AOLCPs in 20 states. They are landscape professionals who have taken NOFA's rigorous 5-day course in organic land-scaping, passed the NOFA accreditation exam, and pledged to provide organic land care according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care. AOLCPs maintain their NOFA accreditation by attending a minimum of 4 hours of continuing organic landscape education annually.
NOFA AOLCPs offer a full range of land-scaping services. These services include: design, installation and maintenance of gardens and lawns; green roof installation; landscape design; foodscaping; pruning; compost application; landscape construc-tion; and a host of other innovative and ecologically sound services.
Our accredited professionals have established that, over the long term, organic management techniques offer the same cultural benefits—such as beauty, functionality, and cost effectiveness—as synthetic chemical methods, but at a much lower cost to our environment and health.
The NOFA Standards for Organic Land Carepromote an approach that…• does not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers;• focuses on building healthy soils that reduce the
need for watering and fertilizing;• increases biodiversity and avoids invasive species;• reduces the risk to children and pets from
pesticides;• uses fertilization materials and methods that are
less likely to pollute water.
Provide your zip code and enter the services you seek in order to find an accredited professional in your area. You can also browse the Glos-sary of Services for search criteria ideas. Search results include a full description of the AOLCPs who provide services in your zip code.
While on the www.organiclandcare.net website, look in the “Homeowner Corner” for seasonal articles written by experienced organic land care professionals and for do-it-yourself home-owner’s tips.
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Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 11
Introduction to Organic Lawns and YardsPlus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property
By Sarah Little, Ph. D.
NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION, ORGANIC LAND CARE PROGRAM
Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards, Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property
Copyright © Sarah Little, Ph.D. NOFA Organic Land Care Program
CT NOFA, PO Box 164 Stevenson CT 06491
www.organiclandcare.net [email protected]
(203) 888-5146This work is supported, in part, with fund-
ing from the Northeastern IPM Center (NortheastIPM.org) and the USDA Nation-
al Institute of Food and Agriculture. The recommendations in this publication are not a substitute for pesticide labeling. The label is the law; read it and follow the instructions before applying any pesticide.
No product discrimination is intended by the authors and their institutions. No
endorsement of any products mentioned or criticism of unnamed products is implied.
What is an Ecosystem?An ecosystem is defined as a biological community and its
non-living physical environment. In other words, it is all the living organisms (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, etc.) linked together through nutrient and energy cycles with their soil, air, water, sun, rain and physical environment. Ecosystems come in all sizes: from a single oasis in a desert to hundreds of square miles of rainforest, and from your own backyard to the planet as a whole.
BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety and spice of life, and science
tells us that more is usually better. It is a measure of how many interacting species are in an ecosystem. Not only rare species, but every living thing in an ecosystem counts.
Native PlantsNative plants play an important role in increasing bio-
diversity to create a stable ecosystem. A native plant is generally considered to be one that occurred in a particular region prior to European settlement without being the result of human actions.
Invasive Plants and AnimalsInvasive plants and animals can be defined as non-native
species that have spread into native or minimally managed ecosystems, causing economic or environmental harm by de-veloping self-sustaining populations and becoming dominant and/or disruptive to those systems.
Ecosytems Checklisto Encourage more native species on your propertyo Be aware of invasive plants and animals and remove
from your property if possible.o Preserve any existing diversity all stars such as: oak,
black cherry, crabapple, blueberries, huckleberries, na-tive wild roses, red cedar, elderberry, shrubby dogwood (red osier), goldenrod, aster, sedges, native grasses
o Learn about the water cycles, plants and animals in your local ecosystem
o Go on nature walks and observe natural landscaping: see how certain plants prefer sun or shade, wet or dry, the way certain plants and animals are found together, how fallen leaves and pine needles act as natural mulch and fertilizer, how seeds are spread, etc.
Ecosystems: Key Concepts
Book Excerpt
The following information and articles were extracted from a more in-depth
booklet Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards which is published by NOFA
Organic Land Care Program, CT NOFA.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care12
Water ChecklistoChoose natives and species adapted to your
climate and site moisture conditionsoAdd compost and organic matter to soil to
improve water retention. Cover bare soil with mulch, compost or plantings to reduce evaporation
oWhen watering, do so only in the early morning to reduce evaporative losses and to avoid encouraging fungal diseases
oWater only new grass and plants, wean young plants off watering, and allow mature grass to go dormant during dry spells
oTurn off automatic sprinklers and only water when lawn and plants need it. In any case, no more than once per week to encourage deep roots and discourage weed germination and fungus. Exact schedule would depend on weather conditions, plant types and age, soil condition and regional water conservation requirements (such as watering bans).
oAllow runoff to infiltrate into the ground right on your property by diverting roof runoff into low-lying areas or into dry wells.
oMaintain natural vegetation buffers to trap chemical runoff from your property along wetlands and watercourses that run through your land.
oPrevent contamination of stormwater by minimizing the use of non-biodegradable cleaners, oil, solvents and other pollutants. Use cardboard or other absorbent materi-als to catch oil and chemicals when working on your car and dispose of in the trash. Do not rinse chemicals so that the run-off goes directly into the street.
oNever over apply fertilizers or other soil amendments. Never allow fertilizers or other soil amendments to get into the street, side-walk, driveway or any unintended surface. If you use a drop-spreader, brush material from pavement or walkways back onto turf or plant beds.
oNever dump anything down a storm drain.
Natural Water CyclesWater continually flows through ecosystems, interacting
with and transporting materials below ground, in living matter, in the air, and in streams, ponds, lakes and oceans. Water is quite literally the blood of life. From deserts to vernal pools, the composition of life in an ecosystem is entirely dependent on the particular water cycles of that ecosystem.
Minimizing Water UseFor organic properties, the rule of thumb for watering
is to keep it to the absolute minimum. It is even possible to design a landscape that does not require any water-ing. The idea is to adapt the ecosystem on your property to the natural water available, rainfall or groundwater, so you don’t need irrigation. The exception to this rule is for establishing young plants, be they trees or grass.
Improving Water QualityWater that runs off your property and into storm drains
can carry pollutants into streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean. There are some simple things you can do to help keep these water bodies clean. The most important of these is to make sure that rain that falls on your property seeps back into the ground on your property and doesn’t run off to the street, storm drain or in erosion channels. The second most important is to not put toxic materials like herbicides, insecticides, oil and solvents onto your property, either on the soil or on your driveway or garage floor where they can get washed away and contaminate ground water and surface waters.
Water: Key Concepts
Photo: By Eric Hill, released under Creative Commons
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 13
Local Farms • Local FamiliesThe Farmer’s Cow is your connection to farm fresh Connecticut products that are
free of artificial growth hormones (rBST) and unnecessary pesticides and chemicals.
If you love the idea of supporting farm families and keeping working farms in New
England, or you just want to experience the best local agriculture has to offer, try
putting a little Farmer’s Cow on your table tonight. TheFarmersCow.com
The Farmer’s Cow, LLC, 49 Chappell Road, Lebanon, CT 06249 • Toll Free: 866.355.COWS
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care14
The community of organisms that inhabits the soil is known as the soil food web. The soil food web consists of worms and insects but also the billions of microscopic crea-tures, bacteria, fungi and protists that inhabit every spoon-ful of soil. A healthy soil food web forms protective layers around roots to keep pathogens at bay, helps plants obtain nutrients from the soil, breaks down toxic compounds that inhibit plant growth, improves disease suppression, and builds soil structure, making it easier for roots to grow and obtain nutrients and water.
In natural systems, organic matter—provided by decay-ing roots and stems, animal droppings, and, in forested areas, the autumn leaf drop—cycles in place. A thriving microbial community digests and breaks down this organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil. Organic land-scaping strives to recreate natural soil ecosystems that ac-tively support healthy plant life by maintaining rich organic content in the soil and maintaining the proper balance of nutrients, pH and soil biology to support a thriving below ground ecosystem.
Soil and Planting PrinciplesThere are two basic approaches to preparing the soil
before planting. The first is to not amend the native soil at all. This requires great care in selecting plants that match the soil types and site conditions on a property. Foregoing the conventional amendment process requires fewer inputs and is less expensive, but requires more knowledge. The
second approach is to amend the existing soil with compost or organically approved minerals and nutrients to match the plants you want to grow there. In either case, a soil test beforehand is required to match the soil to the needs of the desired plants.
For planting shrubs or low groundcover, make sure the plants you choose are well adapted to your specific site, preferably natives, but in any case suitable for your sun, moisture, temperature, soil type, and wind conditions. Avoid using one or two species, the more variety the more likely some or all will thrive on your property. Dig a hole twice as wide as the diameter of the root spread, and only deep enough so that the top of the roots are at ground level. Amend the soil according to the needs of the particu-lar shrub, but it is best if your native soil type matches the shrub’s needs already. Water during dry periods during the first growing season, and then wean the shrub off irrigation altogether. When mulching, do not allow mulch to touch the bark of the trees and shrubs. See the Learn More sec-tion for links to informative guides for planting trees and shrubs.
Soil Testing the Easy WayThe first step before working on your landscape should
always be to take a soil test. A soil test will tell you exactly what your lawn or garden needs so you can add only those nutrients that are necessary. Soil testing provides essential information about soil levels of minerals, nutrients, organic matter, and other essential components, and the presence of soil organisms. A standard soil test is used to determine soil pH (acidity/alkalinity); the percentage of organic matter in the soil; and any nutrient or mineral deficiencies, excesses,
Soil is
The foundation of organic land care is knowledge of and
proper care for the soil. A healthy soil supports a large
and active population of beneficial native organisms, is free of compaction, pesticides and other toxins, as well as salt buildup, and contains a proper balance of organic
matter and nutrients.
Alive
Photo: Globular Springtail (Sminthurinus henshawi) Copyright © Linden Gledhill
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 15
Soil Is Alive | Book Excerpt
are the pH and following macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K). The report will offer sug-gestions that may include increasing or decreasing the pH of your soil, or adding some of the above nutrients, usually in the form of fertilizers or compost. The recommendations will specify how many pounds of each nutrient to add per 1,000 square feet. Fertilizing and liming, particularly of lawns, should always follow the soil test recommendations. Don’t fall into the habit of just adding a little more nitro-gen or phosphorus, as over-fertilizing can cause pollution and lawn problems.
or imbalances. A more comprehensive soil bioassay can evaluate the presence and balance of soil organisms such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and protozoa. The Learn More section has a list of soil testing laboratories.
Taking soil samples and preparing them for shipment to a lab is not difficult and does not require special tools. You send a sample of your soil to a soil-testing labora-tory, and they send a report on the chemistry of your soil with specific recommendations of what types of fertilizers and nutrients to add to optimize the soil for what it is you want to grow. Each lab provides complete instructions and specifications to follow in order to obtain accurate results. It is important to note that a soil test will yield meaningful results only when a representative sample is collected and prepared for each area of interest (the vegetable garden, the lawn, the perennial bed, around a tree, etc.).
The report lists the pH (a measure of acidity) and organic matter content of your soil, and how much avail-able nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) the soil has. (The availability depends on a number of factors, including pH and % organic matter.) Soil can also be tested for the minor (but important) nutrients magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), as well as toxic heavy metals like lead (Pb), ar-senic (As) and cadmium (Cd). The most important values
Soil ChecklistoContemplate, for a moment, the 1 billion organisms
living in a teaspoon of dirt from your backyardoProtect your soil from toxins and saltsoGet a soil test before planting trees, shrubs or reno-
vating a lawnoGet a soil test before adding soil amendments,
including fertilizers and limeoEnsure your landscaper performs a soil test before
applying anything to your yard
Organic Soils and Compost
www.exseedsoil.com203-748-6516
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care16
Lawn AlternativesA lawn is an area of land covered with closely cropped
plants, usually grasses. Most lawn grasses used today in the Northeast are sun-loving, sod-forming, cool-season species of European descent. Their genetic predisposition is to grow tall, produce flowers and seed, and become dormant during the heat and relative dryness of summer. Typical lawn main-tenance—namely, continuous mowing close to the ground, removing the grass clippings, and fertilizing and watering throughout the warm, dry summer season - puts them under constant stress, causing a chronic dependence on water, fer-tilizer and pesticides to keep them green and lush.
The energy and resources required to maintain a weed-free, summer-green, vast grass carpet cause a great deal of collateral environmental damage. The manufacture and use of machinery for installing and maintaining lawns requires huge amounts of energy and creates air, water, soil, and noise pollution. The manufacture, transportation, and applica-tion of pesticides and fertilizers demand yet more energy and releases pollutants into the environment at every stage. Limiting broad stretches of the cultivated landscape to a handful of grass species and varieties reduces biodiversity. Quite simply, conventional suburban lawns, as a rule, are not ecologically sustainable.
Fortunately, there are many beautiful, low-maintenance, alternatives to conventional lawns including native flower gardens, perennial ornamental gardens, meadows, woodland gardens, perennial food gardens, and wildlife habitats. You can also convert part of your lawn into a vegetable garden and reap the benefits of fresh organic vegetables.
In sunny areas, low-growing plants and grass-like species that are drought-tolerant, nutrient efficient, and disease resis-tant can be used. Incorporating certain leguminous (nitro-gen-fixing) broadleaf plants such as clovers and trefoil with native grasses adds diversity and durability and provides a supply of natural nitrogen to the lawn. For sunny areas that will not be mowed frequently, mixtures of native grasses like sedges and fescues as well as wildflowers can be planted as a meadow garden. The “no mow” grass mixes, composed of native fescues that are naturally compact and require infrequent mowing (though mowing at least once a year to discourage woody perennials), are another alternative. In ar-
eas too shady for any grass to grow, shade-tolerant, low-maintenance perennials, shrubs, and trees can add beauty and increase the biodiversity of the landscape. Special attention should be given to plants that are native to the region to increase local biodiversity. In marginal areas of the landscape, just allowing the lawn that already exists (free of invasive species) to grow “wild” will provide an economical, ecological, and sustainable alternative to the high-maintenance lawn, and provide food and cover for wildlife. The Learn More section provides a website with more information on lawn alternatives and using native grasses in lawns.
A Shout Out for White CloverThousands of biological, chemical and physical ele-
ments above and below ground make up the particular ecosystem called your yard. These players will do most of the nutrient recycling, water conservation, and pest con-trol for you, if you let them. Use of synthetic chemicals can suppress a variety of these natural chemical and bio-logical processes. A simple example of this is white clover.
White clover was considered an attractive and neces-sary component of healthy turf until the 1950s, and often included in grass seed mixes. Though not a native, it helps to deliver the essential nutrient nitrogen to enrich the growth of grass. Clover does this without dominating grass because it is easily managed with mowing and fer-tilizing: mowing at 3” and withholding fertilizer will favor a reasonable grass-to-clover ratio of about 60/40. Higher mowing or using fertilizer will reduce the amount of clo-ver. (Though clover makes excellent honey, keep in mind that if not mown regularly, clover flower heads will at-tract bees.) It is drought tolerant when not thickly plant-ed, so the lawn looks greener without watering when cool season grasses have gone dormant in the summer. Plus, white clover has no serious pests. The advent of herbi-cides made it possible to selectively eliminate all non-grass plants, and clover, though not previously considered a weed, suffered collateral damage. Ultimately, it fell out of fashion, became classified a weed and turned into an aesthetic annoyance. Ecosystem-minded land managers, though, realize that clover helps turf and reduces a lawn’s nitrogen needs. This simple plant can save the organic
Organic lawns can provide beauty, function, cost saving, pest resistance and drought tolerance, as well as health and ecological benefits.
Lawns
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Lawns | Book Excerpt
for example clover, yarrow, mosses and numerous other plants that can live in the understory of high-mown grasses. Usually these plants increase the resilience and beauty of your lawn while staying in the background. However, if they begin to dominate your lawn in a way you are unhappy with, there are further steps you can take. Fertility levels and soil pH can be maintained annually by the judicious use of soil amendments and fertilizers, as determined by soil testing. The number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil can be increased by mulching shredded leaves into the lawn in the fall, using nitrogen-fixing plants in the lawn mix, and applying compost or compost tea that is high in beneficial bacteria and fungi. These biologically active ad-ditions will also help alleviate thatch problems. Mow using a well-maintained mower with a sharp blade. No more than one-third of the grass blade should be removed at one time, and remember to allow the grass to grow to a height of 3 inches to 4 inches. The taller grass has a larger and deeper root system and is more effective at crowding out unwanted weeds.
Different plants thrive in different soil conditions, and the presence of a plant in a given location can tell you about the soil conditions. By looking at the weeds, you can get an idea of why your grass isn’t growing there. A few ex-amples are: plantain is an indicator of compacted soil; moss prefers low pH and shade; sedges like wet soil; crabgrass grows in compacted, drought and heat-stressed soil and where grass is thin; and violets thrive in the shade. There are many others indicator weeds, see Learn More.
homeowner hundreds of dollars each year in material and labor costs by reducing the need for additional nitrogen ap-plications, reducing aesthetic lawn watering requirements, and as well it reduces the risk of nitrogen contamination of nearby streams, ponds and lakes and ocean.
Your Organic LawnOrganic lawns can provide beauty, function, cost sav-
ing, pest resistance and drought tolerance, as well as health and ecological benefits. All these benefits are maximized by maintaining a dense, deeply rooted, turf dominated by site-adapted turfgrasses. To maintain an already established organic lawn, there are really only two things you must do:
1. Set your mower as high as it will go (3 to 4 inches)2. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn.
That’s it. With at least 6 inches deep of good soil, you can go on for years like that.
However, if your lawn experiences some stressors such as increased traffic, compaction, insect damage, if you have a particularly dry summer, or simply as a precaution, do the following annually: Based on a soil test’s recommenda-tion, you can fertilize with an organic fertilizer or sprinkle on ¼ inch organic compost in early fall and early spring. Add lime if the pH is below 6.0 and gardener’s sulfur if it is above 7.0 (which is unlikely in the Northeast). Every fall and spring add seed to any thin or bare spots with a grass seed mix suited to your area, and sprinkle it over with com-post and water it lightly until it is established.
Organic lawns, with their emphasis on diversity, will almost always have some non-turfgrass species mixed in, Photo: Copyright © Rick Darke
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care18
Book Excerpt | Lawns
On healthy, established turf, systematic watering is generally not needed and is not recommended. Water is a precious resource requiring large amounts of energy and infrastructure to deliver, and must be conserved. In gen-eral, overwatered lawns are prone to disease infection, and have shallow root systems that make them less tolerant of traffic and more prone to a variety of pest problems. If watering an established lawn becomes necessary, it should be watered deeply (to a depth of 6 inches or more) and in-frequently (no more than once per week). The soil needs to dry out partially between waterings to allow gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Too much water will fill the pore spaces in the soil, suffocating roots and soil life and reducing the health of the grass plants. Watering should be timed and the saturation depth checked by checking with a shovel to determine how long to water a particular area.
If you chose not to water your lawn, and there has been a dry summer, plan on a late summer-early fall seeding plus a fertilization to enhance the recovery of the plants and encourage the rapid establishment of the new seedlings.
Renovating an Existing LawnIf you are really unhappy with your current lawn, either
because of the way it looks or because you want to get it off conventional pesticide management, or both, and you are in a hurry to build a functioning organic ecosystem supporting healthy turfgrass, you might consider hiring an organic lawn professional. A professional will be able to ad-dress such underlying problems as too little topsoil, wide-spread and pernicious weeds, drainage problems, compac-tion, light problems, and salt and insect damage. He or she will help identify the proper soil amendments to balance the soil nutrients and biology to be ideal for turfgrass.
It may be three years before a functioning organic turf ecosystem is fully established. In fact, until the process of building up soil organic matter and soil biology and encour-aging the grass plants to develop healthy root systems has been completed, lawn or turf may be susceptible to more weed infestation and insect damage than you are used to under a conventional synthetic management program. In the long run, an established organic lawn will require deliver function and beauty while requiring minimal maintenance.
New Lawns From ScratchGenerally, rather than tear up your yard, you will be
more successful if you renovate and keep some of your ex-isting plants that have already adapted to your yard.
Of course, there are cases where you need to install a new lawn from scratch. You might have just had construction done, or had some other major damage to your lawn area. The job may be too big for you to handle and you will probably need to hire a landscaper. Proper installation can make or break a lawn. It will determine the long-term beauty and health, and can greatly reduce the need for rou-tine inputs like fertilizer and water. Here are some things to consider when you talk to your landscaper about a lawn installation.
Installation of a new lawn is best undertaken in late summer or early fall when temperatures and rainfall are optimum for cool season grasses. If you must install a lawn in the spring, consider using an annual rye grass. Then in early fall, till it in and seed two weeks later with a peren-nial cool season grass mix or native grasses. The annual rye will germinate quickly, give you a nice lawn, and hold the soil until fall when cool-season turf grasses are best planted.
One of the key elements of a successful new lawn is properly prepared soil. Soil amendments, as specified by soil test results, are incorporated into the seedbed, with
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Lawns | Book Excerpt
Depot St. Bradford, VT 05033 802.222.4277 FAX 802.222.9661Email: [email protected] • web site: www.norganics.com
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Call now for the location of your nearest wholesale distributor
Lawn ChecklistoConsider using native fescues and sedgesoReduce area of lawnoMow high 3-4” oLeave clippings on lawnoGet a soil testoAdjust pH of soil, if needed according to the
soil test recommendations; anytime of yearoUse natural fertilizers, such as compost, ac-
cording to soil test recommendations; apply in fall
oAvoid the use of toxic materialsoWater infrequently, if at alloSeed with a mixture of grasses suitable to
your site conditions, in the fall and spring
the pH adjusted to about 6.5. Topsoil should be at least 6” deep and 3-5% organic material. All weeds should be removed. The surface needs to be graded with careful consideration to maintain drainage away from house and avoiding steep drops or the creation of erosion channels. Use a seed mixture that is adapted to, and tolerant of, the particular growing conditions of the site. There are many insect- and/or disease-resistant, sun- or shade-tolerant, species and cultivars, as well as native fescues and sedges to choose from. See Learn More for websites with infor-mation about grass seeds. Endophytically enhanced grass seed contains a naturally occurring fungus that discour-ages animals from eating the grass blade. It protects the grass from surface-feeding insects but should not be used where the grass may be used as food for domestic animals or wildlife, as it will sicken them. Always use several dif-ferent species and cultivars in the mix to enhance diversity and increase the chances of success. Consider using some white clover (roughly 1 part clover seed to 15 parts grass seed, sown separately), which will greatly enhance the functioning and reduce the maintenance of your lawn.
Ensure good seed-to-soil contact by lightly rolling or dragging the seed into the soil. Use a mulch that is as weed-free as possible, such as sterilized straw or salt marsh hay, to enhance germination and control erosion. The seedbed should be watered frequently but shallowly. The ideal situation is to maintain a “uniformly moist” seedbed during germination and establishment. Water-ing should increase in duration but decrease in frequency once the root system has become established. After several mowings and in the absence of hot, dry weather, watering should gradually be decreased. Watering should be elimi-nated when not necessary.
Sodding is a form of lawn establishment that provides instant coverage and looks impressive right away. Unfor-tunately, most sod is composed of high-maintenance grass species that have been given large amounts of synthetic inputs and water in order to grow quickly. Sod arrives with a minimal amount of soil and shallow roots, so care-ful preparation of the bed and regular deep watering is es-sential for the survival of the sod. Adding organic matter that has active microbial populations, such as humates, compost, and compost teas, is recommended to help with quick rooting. A sodded lawn often costs several times more, requires greater inputs, and is no more reliable than a lawn properly installed and maintained from seed.
Photo, previous page: By Snowmanradio, released under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care20
Organic LandscapingNortheast Organic Farming Associa-
tion Organic Land Care Program, website: www.organiclandcare.net
Northeast Organic Farming Associa-tion Organic Land Care Program, standards: NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, Practices for the Design and Maintenance of Eco-logical Landscapes, 5th Edition, 2011 (print); www.organiclandcare.net/accreditation/standards
Garden Rant, website of current resources and discussions of eco-minded gardening enthusiasts: www.gardenrant.com
EPA, our waters: water.epa.gov/typeEPA, learn about your local water-
shed: cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
Energy ConservationUS Department of Energy, conserving
energy in landscaping: www.ener-gysavers.gov/your_home/ landscaping/index.cfm
Secrets in the SoilU.S. Department of Agriculture, soil
biology primer: soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture, soil quality: soils.usda.gov/sqi/index.html
Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion, planting shrubs: pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-701/426-701.html
Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion, planting trees: pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-702/426-702.html
University of Massachusetts Extension, factsheets on planting and plant maintenance: www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/plantculture.html
Soil Testing LabsSee our website for more information:
www.organiclandcare.net
National Sustainable Agriculture In-formation Service, clearinghouse for information on organic techniques: attra.ncat.org
Working With EcosystemsEPA, ecosystem educational: www.epa.
gov/highschool/ecosystems.htmEPA, native plants FAQs:
www.epa.gov/greenacres/faq.htmlNew England Wildflower Society:
www.newenglandwild.orgThe Center for Biodiversity and
Conservation: cbc.amnh.orgNational Park Service, plants:
www.nps.gov/plantsUniversity of Rhode Island, choosing
sustainable plants for the landscape: www.pse.uri.edu/maynard_sus-plants/html_spl2000/index.htm
Cornell University, community forest-ry: www.hort.cornell.edu/commfor/resources/index.html
WaterU. S. Geological Survey, natural water
cycles: pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1139/htdocs/natural_processes_of_ground.htm
Maryland Cooperative Extension, conserving water in the landscape: www.dnr.state.md.us/ed/xcape.pdf
Learn More Finding Resources: The principles and concepts of organic landscaping
cover many, many disciplines, from agriculture, ecology, soil science, water conser-vation, geology, chemistry, biology, entomology and plant science, to horticulture,
art, design and urban planning. It’s hard to find all the answers in one place! There are hundreds of books, courses, and websites to choose from. I’ve decided to list here just the places you can get free information on the web from either non-profits, government, university or extension services. The NOFA Organic Land Care website has more resources, including courses you can take in the
Northeast, and books you can buy. So go ahead, pick a topic and start browsing!
Book Excerpt | Learn More
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 21
(860) 243-8733HarringtonsOrganic.com
Organic since 1987
Put a little spring in your GreenDiscover Organic Land Care
• Do-It-Yourself Programs• Organic Lawn & Plant Health Care• Safe Pest & Weed Management• Natural Deer & Tick Control• Toxic Soil Remediation• Soil Testing & Analysis• Consulting & Seminars
FREE Consultation and Soil Analysisa $79 value when you sign up for one of our annual organic land care programs.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care22
Book Excerpt | Learn More
Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center: threatsummary.forestthreats.org/index.html
GrubsOhio State University Extension,
identifying grubs: ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2510.html
Ohio State University, Insect Parasitic Nematodes, list of suppliers: www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/nematodes/nematode_suppliers.htm
Woolly AdelgidsUniversity of Massachusetts Extension,
factsheets: www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/piercing_sucking/hwa_faq.pdf or http://www.umass-greeninfo.org/fact_sheets/piercing_ sucking/hemlock_woolly_adelgid.html
Winter MothsMassachusetts Department of Agri-
cultural Resources, fact sheet: www.massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/winter%20moth.html
University of Massachusett Extension, fact sheet: www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/defoliators/wm_id_man.html
TicksConnecticut Agricultural Experiment
Station, tick handbook: www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/ publications/bulletins/b1010.pdf
MosquitoesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics,
DEET alternative mosquito repel-lents: www.aap.org/family/ wnv-jun05.htm
University of Florida Extension, ef-ficacy and duration of mosquito repellents: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in419
Other PestsNorthwest Center for Alternatives to
Pesticides, online resources for pest management: www.pesticide.org/so-lutions/home-and-garden-toolbox
Lawn Alternatives, website with cur-rent resources and discussions on eco-friendly lawns and yards: www.lawnreform.org
Pest ControlOrganic PesticidesOrganic Materials Research Institute,
lists of approved organic materials: www.omri.org
Baystate Organic Certifiers, list of Northeast U.S., local, approved organic materials: www.baystateorganic.org
University of Massachusetts Extension, organic methods used in agriculture: www.extension.org/ organic%20production
Cornell University, resources for or-ganic pest and disease management: web.pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/ resourceguide
Plant and Insect IdentificationUniversity of Massachusetts Extension,
identifying weeds: www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/weed_herbarium/common_name_list.htm
University of Massachusetts Exten-sion, identifying weeds, insects and diseases of woody plants: www.umassgreeninfo.org/news_events.html#guide
Connecticut Agricultural Experi-ment Station, plants and pests lists: www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2823&q=377514
Invasive Plants and InsectsRegional and National Pest Alerts –
U.S. Department of Agriculture: www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/pest/in_focus/ipm_if_pestalert.html
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England: nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/ipanespecies/current_inv.htm
Invasive aquatic plants: www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/lakepond/publi-cations.htm#factsheets
Compost, Fertilizers, Mulches and other Soil AmendmentsHarvard University, organic landscap-
ing: www.uos.harvard.edu/fmo/ landscape/organiclandscaping
Maryland Cooperative Extension, basic principles of soil fertility, plant nutrients: www.growingforyou.com/images/SoilFertility.pdf
Maryland Cooperative Extension, basic principles of soil fertility, soil properties: extension.umd.edu/ publications/PDFs/FS640.pdf
EPA, compost: www.epa.gov/osw/ conserve/rrr/composting
EPA, global nitrogen cycle: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/ wacademy/acad2000/nitroabstr.html
Sustainable Phosphorus Futures, peak phosphorus report: phosphorusfutures.net/peak-phosphorus
Virginia Cooperative Extension, mulching: pubs.ext.t.edu/426/426- 724/426-724.html
Cornell University, toxic mulch: www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/mulch/toxicmulch.html
LawnsBrooklyn Botanical Gardens, native
grasses in lawns: www.bbg.org/gar-dening/article/planting_a_ native_grass_lawn or www.bbg.org/gardening/article/sedge_lawns or www.bbg.org/gardening/article/low_slow_fescues
University of Massachusetts Extension, selecting grasses, soil management, cultural practices for lawn: www.umassturf.org/publications/online_pubs/lawn_landscape_bmp.pdf
Versicolor.ca, establishing white clover: versicolor.ca/lawns/docs/clover.html
Cornell University, lawn care with-out pesticides information bulletin: nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/lawn_care/files/Lawn_Care_ without_Pesticides.pdf
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 23
oKeep pesticides off your lawn and gardens. Using only non-toxic materials on your property reduces the health risk to yourself, your family, your neighbors and your local environment. See “Why Organic?” at www.organiclandcare.net/about/why-organic
oUse non-synthetic fertilizers from natural sources. Synthetic fertilizers are made in a chemi-cal process that uses fossil fuel and contributes to global warming. Use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer greatly increase the amount of nitrogen entering the global nitrogen cycle which has a serious negative impact on the organization and functioning of the world’s ecosystems, including accelerating the loss of biological diversity and decline of coastal marine ecosystems and fisheries. Visit www.epa.gov/water-train/nitrogen.html for more information. The use of synthetic phosphorus fertilizers has its own set of problems, in particular its contribution to the eu-trophication of fresh water lakes and ponds, and the limited global supply of phosphate rock. For more information, visit phosphorusfutures.net
oReduce water use. In many cities in the North-east, 50% of the drinking water goes to lawns and landscapes. Over 75% of our rivers are flow stressed because of water withdrawals for these residential uses. Read more at “Lawns: Good Watering Prac-tices” at www.organiclandcare.net/green-room/olc-articles/lawns-good-watering-practices
oRemove invasive plants. Invasive plants grow quickly and spread easily and often reduce the bio-diversity of whole ecosystems. Learn about invasive plants, how to avoid spreading them, and how to remove them from your own property. In the U.S., a good place to start is at the National Invasive Spe-cies Information Center, www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
oHome gardening with native plants. Native plants are site adapted and usually require little to no watering, fertilizing or pesticides. Stunning gardens can be made from entirely native plants. See our bookstore for ideas. Since native plants are, well, native, it’s best to find a local conservation group who works with natives. If you live in the Northeast U.S., a good place to start is the New England Wildflower Society, www.newfs.org/learn.
They have a listing of Native Plant Societies in the US and Canada, www.newfs.org/publications-and-media/resources/nps.html
oMake and use compost. Compost has many advantages as a soil amendment and it is less likely to cause pollution of the local and regional environ-ment than fertilizers, even organic ones. Incorporat-ing compost improves turf, shrub and shade tree performance in marginal or poor soils. Good quality compost improves soil structure, reduces runoff and compaction, enhances biodiversity, increases water and nutrient retention, increases microbial activity, supplies nutrients, helps suppress and prevent plant diseases, detoxifies certain pesticides, and inacti-vates and kills potential human pathogens. The benefits to the plants are: improved establishment of turf, ornamentals and shade trees; improved color; increased root growth; and reduced need for fertil-izer, pesticides, and irrigation. To learn more about compost, you can start at EPA’s site: www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/
oTest your soil. If you want your property to look its best, to save money, and to protect the environ-ment even more, do an easy soil test before you apply anything at all. A soil testing lab will help you figure out how much of which fertilizers and nutrients to apply for optimum results. www.organi-clandcare.net/green-room/olc-articles/soil-testing-and-labs
oIncrease biodiversity. Biodiversity is the key to a healthy ecosystem on any scale, from backyard to global. Biodiversity increases the stability of ecosys-tems, reduces the need for intervention, and makes them, from an aesthetic viewpoint, much more interesting. The earth is currently losing species at a rate that rivals mass extinctions in our geologic re-cord. You can use the American Museum of Natural History’s site as a starting point to read about why biodiversity is important, cbc.amnh.org. You can look at the National Wildlife Federation site to learn how to increase biodiversity in your own back yard.
oIf you have a lawn...Mow high, 3”-4”; leave grass clippings on lawn; water infrequently, if at all; en-courage a bit of white clover; and fertilize with com-post and overseed bares spots in fall and early spring.
Checklist for Eco-Friendly Lawns and Yards
Learn More | Book Excerpt
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care24
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 25
Connecticut
Fairfield County
Almstead Tree, Shrub Care, LLC
Bociek, BobStamford, CT
Fairfield203-348-4111
Artscape Organic-Care, LLCPapa, Mike
Stamford, CT203-252-1954
Aventine GardenMariano Walrath, Erin
Bethel, CTFairfield
www.aventinegardens.com
Camilla Worden Garden Design, LLC
Worden, CamillaBrookfield, CT203-790-9809
Cobblestone Landscaping, LLCO’Regan, TessaRidgefield, CT203-894-4664
Connecticut GreenHageney, Daniel
Norwalk, CT203-667-8183
Gardens by NancyBaker, NancyTrumbull, CT203-375-7011
Glen Gate CompanyVitiello, Marco
Wilton, CT203-762-2000
Green Cross Inc.Pierce, KentNorwalk, CT203-838-2505
Greenleaf Services LLCCole, BrianWilton, CT203-563-9559
Growing Solutions LLCFujitani, PaulBaliko, ChrisRidgefield, CT203-730-1103
[email protected]@growso.comwww.growso.com
Growing Things Inc.Hobson, JadeWilton, CT
Hannigan, FrannyMonroe, CT203-445-8982
D&D Landscape LLCBenedict, David
Monroe, CT203-445-2849
Diane Melish Landscape Design * Gardening
Melish, DianeFairfield, CT203-254-7307
Emerald OrganicCarruthers, Ciaran
Ridgefield, CT203-249-2383
Environmental Land Solutions, LLCThrockmorton, Kate
Norwalk, CT203-855-7879
Evergreen Environments, LLCKruzshak, JohnSandy Hook, CT
Freddy’s LandscapingMurray, DylanNorwalk, CT203-855-7854
Gardens by Design of New England, LLC
Sanders, DavidWilton, CT917-597-0051
Local AOLCP ListingsThe following is a list of the 2011 Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals.
The listings are organized alphabetically by state, county, and business.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care26
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Connecticut
Lee Horticultural ServicesLee, NicholasWilton, CT203-761-0330
Lisa C. CohnCohn, LisaBethel, CT
Mazzeo, AlexandraTrumbull, CT
Michael Siano Garden DesignSiano, MichaelFairfield, CT203-259-0561
index.php?did=2
Joseph Schiro Landscape Services
Schiro, JosephGreenwich, CT203-253-0332
Katherine Kamen Landscape Architect
Kamen, KatherineDarien, CT
Kinglet Gardens Ecological Horticulture
Henrey, MelissaHenrey, Edward
Cos Cob, CT646-245-1703
[email protected]@yahoo.com
www.kingletgardens.com
Hoffman LandscapesTrottier, Jonathan
Wilton, CT203-834-9656
J. Chris Keneally Tree Removal & Landscaping, LLC
Keneally, RachelEaston, CT203-226-1653
Jim McLoughlin Landscaping LLCMcLoughlin, James
Stamford, CT203-324-5550
info@jimmcloughlinlandscaping.comwww.jimmcloughlinlandscaping.com
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 27
Connecticut | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Shining Green Lawn CareMorales, Clemente
Stamford, CT203-536-5031
Smyers, WilfordNorwalk, CT203-838-2505
Southport Organics, LLCMcGuire, Mary Lou
Southport, CT203-254-6009
Stamford Public SchoolsMcIntosh, Thomas
Stamford, CT203-359-8747
Plantscapes, Inc.Corra, Daniel
Nadeau, MichaelFairfield, CT203-382-0335
[email protected]@snet.net
www.plantscapesorganics.com
Sabrina DesignDunn, PatriciaGreenwich, CT617-417-3637
Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses
Hart, ChrisGreenwich, CT203-869-3418
Mill River ParkPiselli, VincentStamford, CT203-506-9888
Northeast Horticultural Services
Marcell, StaceyStratford, CT203-375-0553
Out in the GardenBrach, Bob
Sherman, CT860 210-7954
203.790.9809 * CamillaLandscapeDesign.comPlanning * Building
Organic Lawn Care * Organic Tick ControlCT REG# B-0839 | CT LIC# 577425 | NY REG# 11911 | NY LIC# WC-15398-H04
Intoxicating beauty.Non-toxic care.
It ’s in our nature to care.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care28
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Connecticut
Vonne’s Victory Gardens, LLCWhittleton, Vonne
Westport, CT203-227-1876
Wellers, MollyRidgefield, CT203-438-6906
William Kenny Associates LLCKenny, Bill
Fairfield, CT203-366-0588
Winston, DavidStamford, CT203-323-4356
The Lawn RangersMcDermott, Scott
Greenwich, CT203-219-9020
Town of StratfordMencel, Ken
Bridgeport, CT203-372-7828
University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System
Wilson, SandraBethel, CT
Verdesign LLCPirozzoli, Mary Ellen
Ridgefield, CT203-438-6808
T4 EcoScapesHemingway, Monica
Stamford, CT203-252-7456
The Care of TreesAndrew, Russell B.
Norwalk, CT203-847-1855
The LaurelRock CompanyBarry, ThomasWard, Andrew
Wilton, CTFairfield
All Phases of Tree Care PLUSTraditional & Organic
Insect & Disease ManagementTick Spraying • Lightning Protection
Bill Pollock, Licensed Arborist
Arbor Services of ct, inc.
www.arborct.com@arborct
Licensed Arborist # 62352Certified Arborist # NE-0387DEP License # B-1172
Your Trees. Our Service.
Naturally.
1-800-690-2726
GreenCycle®
www.greencycle.net
Mulch,TOPSOIL, Organic CoMpost
Bulk Deliveries
special when you’re
growing something
860.674.8855
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 29
Connecticut | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Carone and Sons LandscapingCarone, Arthur J.Manchester, CT
Designs of Mann, LLCMann, Sharon J.Bloomfield, CT
Hartford860-242-1178
Dirt & Stone Landscaping & Design LLP
Rulli, Donald DJNewington, CT860-665-0156
Pat Leonard LandscapingLeonard, Patrick
Stratford, CT203-520-1222
Roberts & Roberts Landscape and Garden Design
Roberts, DeborahStamford, CT203-979-3672
Hartford County
Bettylou’s GardenSandy, BettylouManchester, CT
Connecticut’s Beardsley ZooYuckienuz, JeanneBridgeport, CT203-394-6576
Gerbert and Sons Landscaping and Irrigation, Inc.Gerbert, JeffreyMaloney, John Stamford, CT203-324-3817
[email protected]@gerbertandsons.com
Green Cross, Inc.Parker, JamesNorwalk, CT203-838-2505
Lundstrom, ChristerNorwalk, CT203 838-2505
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care30
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Connecticut
Rising Sun LandscapingHuk, Tim
Simsbury, CT860-670-6768
Stanley Golf CourseNapier, John
New Britain, CT860-826-3519
The Natural Garden Collaborative, LLC
Bean, LaurelCollinsville, CT860-673-5834
Town of FarmingtonD’Amico, KevinFarmington, CT
www.farmington-ct.org
Lyons Landscape & Garden Design
Lyons, CatherineBloomfield, CT860-726-9434
McClean Landscape & Nursery LLC
Ekwurtzel, SteveGranby, CT860-413-9813
Melrose Place Farm & GardensZhigailo, MartiMelrose, CT860-559-0177
Mucci, TeresaWilton, CT203-722-8158
Ecological Landscape Designs, LLC
Corriveau, ClemenceWest Hartford, CT
God’s Green EarthBeebe, ChristinaSimsbury, CT860-651-3122
Harrington’s Organic Land CareHarrington, ToddBloomfield, CT860-243-8733
Ladybug LandscapingMoriarty, Ellen
Wethersfield, CT860-657-6511
+
ar t i san bakery and cafe
The Marketplace at Copps Hill Common 100 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 203-438-4822 www.rossbread.com
ross’ bread Everything in our bakery is baked fresh, from scratch, every day on the premises. We serve you the best coffee and loose tea in real cups. Pastries and sandwiches on real plates. We encourage you to sit down and enjoy. While we will serve you any of our items “to go,” we prefer to think of ross’ bread as a place to relax with other members of the community and take time from your busy day to treat yourself.
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 31
Connecticut | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Exterior Design Services, LLCShea, Tim
Woodbury, CT203-263-7045
G.L. Bollard Corp./ Maywood Estate
Bollard, GregBridgewater, CT
Ginger Creek Nursery, LLCPradhan, Alnasir
Norfolk, CT860-542-5143
Hands of NatureKowarick, CarlosNew Milford, CT
Litchfield County
Arbor Services of CT, Inc.Brague IV, WilliamLappala, Thomas
Washington Depot, CT860-868-1930
Booth Paolucci, ElizaWashington, CT
Briganic Landscapes LLCReardon, BrianTorrington, CT860-866-7785
Cathy in the Garden, LLCZbuska, CathyHarwinton, CT860-485-0121
TruGreen LawncareMuhlberg, PaulRocky Hill, CT860-563-5200
Valley Lawnscapes, LLCChomicz, Eva
Avon, CT860-416-6696
Warner NurseryWarner, GwynSimsbury, CT860-651-0204
West Hartford Landscaping, Inc.McIntyre, Scott
West Hartford, CT860-231-8262
www.earthandturf.com888-693-2638888-693-2638
100SP!
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care32
Come Visit Us
Gardening Organically Since 1983 518 Forest Road (Rte.22), Northford, CT 06472
203-484-2748 www.naturework.com
Stay in the loop! Join our email list at www.naturework.com
NOFA AD 2011
and let us help you help your garden to grow!
flowering plants, trees and shrubs vegetable seeds and seedlings organic soil amendments, OMRI listed products and much more!
landscape design, installation and maintenance
Knowledge to Grow On We offer answers to all your growing needs and questions! Horticultural Problems Growing Information Insect Identification Weed Identification Disease Identification Soil Testing
Toll free in Connecticut 1-877-486-6271 1380 Storrs Road Storrs, CT 06269-4115 Visit us on the web at: www.ladybug.uconn.edu New Ladybug Blog www.uconnladybug.wordpress.com
Bettylou’s Gardening Gardening Consultation for the Do-It-Yourselfer
Garden and Landscape Design and Personal Training in Gardening Skills for Vegetables, Flowers, Shrubs,
Trees and Drainage
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 33
Connecticut | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Arboreta LandscapesKijewski, MikeMilford, CT203-783-9989
B. Wagner, Plantscape Design & Restoration
Wagner, BarbaraMilford, CT203-878-8251
B. Yaeger LLCYaeger, Barbara A.
Madison, CT203-901-6915
Barefoot Landscape Design LLCArpino, Denise
Milford, CT203-640-7635
Cox, JohnNew Haven, [email protected]
Custom GroundsDorso, AnthonyProspect, CT203-758-6555
Davern, JohnNew Haven, CT
Deborah WeikWeik, DeborahWolcott, CT203-879-4717
Emmett Shutts LandscapingMixsell, Anastasia
Hamden, CT203-281-1665
East Haddam Horticultural Services LLC
McNelly, DanielMcNelly, PattyMcNelly, Roger
Moodus, CT860-873-1128
Fire Ring FarmLivensparger, Nancy L.
Portland, CT860-342-2566
Gardens & TurfHendry, Joene
East Haddam, CT860-873-2477
Preston, JudyOld Saybrook, CT
Speaking of LandscapesConnolly, KathleenOld Saybrook, CT
860-510-2136kathy@speakingoflandscapes.comwww.speakingoflandscapes.com
Stahlbush Tolley, LoisIvoryton, CT860-767-7753
Town of Portland Grounds Maintenance
Johnson, CarlPortland, CT860-342-6733
New Haven County
Apicella, PeterHamden, CT203-248-2898
Karen Bussolini, PhotographerBussolini, KarenSouth Kent, CT
www.agpix.com/karenbussolini
Loretta Stagen DesignsStagen, Loretta
New Preston, CT203-323-2544
Lunan’s Landscaping LLC/ Premier TurfLunan, Norval
Morris, CT203-537-0420
Martin, TovahRoxbury, CT860-354-7960
Philippi, SarahBethlehem, CT203-266-9115
Salisbury Garden Center, LLCEichstedt, EmilyMendelsohn, Eric
Salisbury, CT860-435-2439
[email protected]@comcast.net
www.salisburygardencenter.com
The Anything BoxOwles, Frances J.New Preston, CT
Middlesex County
Anne Wolak Garden Design, LLC
Wolak, AnneHaddam, CT860-605-6830
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care34
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Connecticut
Franklin, RobinGales Ferry, CT
Good Fox GardensSt. Cyr, AlmaNorwich, CT860-886-3976
Perennial Harmony Garden ShopReed, Petie
Waterford, CT860-440-3653
Sprigs & Twigs, Inc.Kolakowski, Courtney
Beaman, BillGrivois, Kristin
Lillie, BillLillie, Linda
Gales Ferry, CT860-823-9907860-334-8558860-803-7308860-235-0752
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@sprigsandtwigs.netwww.sprigsandtwigs.net
Wertheimer & Associates, LLCWertheimer, Sheila
Old Lyme, CT860-434-3556
Yankee Tree, LLCParker, JonathanOld Lyme, CT860-434-8733
Hoffman, Dr. FrancesMystic, CT860-536-7320
Nature & Scents, LLCHine, Sharon
West Haven, CT203-668-6315
Place Landscape DesignKane, Taylor
New Haven, CT203-671-2345
Prestige Landscaping, Inc.Cox, Kevin
Seymour, CT203-734-8998
TJB-Inc.Greiner, TedHamden, CT203-287-0636
UCONN Cooperative Extension Center
Hsiang, JudithBethany, CT203-407-3167
Wildermann LandscapingWildermann, Asa
Madison, CT203-245-5111
Woodland TreeWorks LLCRoss, DianaOrange, CT203-228-1795
New London County
Eastern Point Land CareHill, Paul
Groton, CT860-445-4811
Hallstar Industries, Inc.Hallman, David
Milford, CT203-874-1015
Holland, SusanNaugatuck, CT203-729-7132
J White ConsultingWhite, James R.
Milford, CT203-996-1443
Little Green LandscapesMacPhee, DanielNew Haven, CT
203-432-9363daniel@littlegreenlandscapes.comwww.littlegreenlandscapes.com
Lomanto, AngelaNorth Haven, CT
Mathews, LindseyBranford, CT203-752-7796
Mohr, EricMilford, CT203-376-5242
Moriarty’s Lawn Care, Inc.Moriarty, Kevin
North Branford, CT203-444-2418
MowGreen New HavenCoe, Natalie
New Haven, CT203-891-7100
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 35
Connecticut through Maine | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Green Thumbs Up!Ballard, DanielAtlanta, GA404-593-6218
Illinois
McLean County
Grieder Landscaping and Kid Conscious Lawn Care
Bilow, CathyBloomington, IL
www.meanderingpath.com
Maine
Androscoggin County
Irene’s GardensBarber, IreneDurham, ME207-650-9256
Cumberland County
Casco Bay Safe LawnsBottomley, Peter
Cape Elizabeth, ME207-799-2845
Go Green Landscaping Inc. and Organic
Mosquito and Tick ControlMelevsky, DavidScarborough, ME
207-232-2294david@gogreenlandscapinginc.comwww.gogreenlandscapinginc.com
Pineland FarmsDonnelly, Ryan
New Gloucester, ME207-939-4563
Go Organic LLCTycz, John
Thompson, CT860-935-5235
District of ColumbiaNew Life Contracting
Bandele, GabrielWashington, DC
Delaware
Sussex County
G.R.O. (Grass Root Organics)Kindl, AdamMilford, DE302-381-7722
Florida
Collier County
Eco Logic Land CareOrlikoff, IanNaples, FL
ecologiclandcare.com
Georgia
Fulton County
Atlanta Beltline Inc.Burke, KevinAtlanta, GA404-614-8300
Tolland County
A. Cote & Sons LandscapingCote, Adam
Mansfield Center, CT860-617-4169
Earthwise Organic LandscapingHazleton, Greg
West Suffield, CT860-306-9604
Milrick Lawn Service LLCBrosseau, Richard
Mansfield Center, CT860-942-8586
Native SoilsDaggett, Ph.D., DaveStorrs-Mansfield, CT
Nature’s EdenBender, Ellen O.Ellington, CT860-871-8085
Naturescape, LLCMiner, MarcieAndover, CT860-742-0326
Town of Hebron- Park & Recreation Dept.
Calarco, RichardHebron, CT860-228-5971
Windham County
Nicholson, MaureenPomfret Center, CT
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care36
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Maine
York County
CL Garden Design & ServicesLaboissonniere, Carol
Kennebunk, ME207-475-3260
JNL Inc.Durack, Pamela
Eliot, ME207-439-6075
Piscataqua Landscaping Co., Inc.
Critchley, JaimeSanford, ME207-590-5159
[email protected], Gregory
Eliot, ME207-439-2241
Sunset Farm OrganicsLorrain, PaulLyman, ME207-423-9348
Penobscot County
Maine Sustainable Lawn Care & Landscapes
Turmel, WadeKenduskeag, ME
Somerset County
Lynch Landscaping Inc.Lynch, John
Skowhegan, ME207-474-2420
Wells County
Dean C. Ramsdell LandscapingKelly, JamieWells, ME
207-646-4807info@ramsdelllandscaping.comwww.ramsdelllandscaping.com
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Hibbard, DianaYarmouth, ME207-846-4940
Nichols, JustinPownal, ME207-329-4029
Knox County
Balsam Hill FarmBakley, JC
Camden, ME207-975-4343
Blue Newt DesignsHolland, Katherine
Warren, ME207-273-3223
Richard Landscaping, LLC Specialists in Organic Land Care Programs
www.ri
chardlan
dsca
ping
.net
10643 Weymouth St suite 103 Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 896-0391 email: [email protected]
Rain gardens Water features
Garden design & installation
Hardscaping & stonework
Low-voltage lighting
“Naturally Beautif
❦ Sanctuary gardens
❦ Bird & butterfly habitat
❦ Time & water-saving designs
❦ Accredited organic methods
Ecological landscape design
Gar
dens for LifeS
M
Please contact us ASAP with your approval and/or changes upon receipt of your proof since we are at a production deadline.If you are unable to respond with your comments in a timely manner, we will assume that your ad is set to run.
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Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 37
Maryland through Massachusetts | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Chris Mark & Sons, Inc.Leone, Jessie
Cataumet, MA508-564-4610
Old Sod Landscaping IncPhelan, Finbarr Bartley, T. MarkHyannis Port, MA
www.oldsodlandscaping.com
Berkshire County
Green Arts Garden DesignGreen, Ruth
Monterey, MA413-528-5908
Native Habitat RestorationHoy, Sari
Sheffield, MA413-229-8124
Nature Works LandcareLassor, Rich
Monterey, MA413-325-1101
Webster Ingersoll Inc.Ingersoll, TomSheffield, MA413-229-8124
The Country GardenersMcCracken, Bridghe
Great Barrington, MA413-644-0155
Fieldworks LandscapeBaker, Karen
North Eastham, MA508-255-5211
Fowler Lawns A Complete Lawn Care Company
Fowler, DerekDennis, MA508-385-2899
Hyannis Country Garden Inc.Ingraham, Nanette
Nelson, CraigStokes, ChrisHyannis, MA508-775-8703
[email protected]@countrygarden.com
Jensen LandscapesPhilos-Jensen, MCLP, Dan
Barnstable, MA774-994-1543
Littlefield LandscapesKelley, Laura
North Eastham, MA774-353-6511
Marshall Landscape Construction
Marshall, CIC, JosephEast Falmouth, MA
Viburnum Landscape DesignTunsley, Kathy
East Falmouth, MA508-388-7788
Blue Rose GardensPecoraro, Victoria
Wellfleet, MA 508-349-1327
Maryland
Anne Arundel County
KW Landscaping, Inc.Wengernuk, Kevin
Severn, MD410-729-0646
Montgomery County
Gardens of the Three GracesZimmerman, Catherine
Silver Spring, MD301-754-1414
Richard Landscaping, LLCBajana, RichardBethesda, MD301-896-0391
University of MarylandWeiser, JeffreyDamascus, MD240-421-4675
Massachusetts
Barnstable County
Brown S Green Organic Lawn and Gardens
Brown, Kristoffer J.South Yarmouth, MA
capecodcomposttea.com
E.J. Jaxtimer Builder, Inc.Kennedy, MCLP, Robert
Hyannis, MA508-778-6466
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care38
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Massachusetts
Dukes County
Beetlebung Tree Care LLCSaunders, Chris
West Tisbury, MA508-560-3000
Working Earth Organic Gardening & Landscaping, Inc.
Villa, JudeEdgartown, MA
www.workingearthmarthasvineyard.com
Evangeline & CompanyCosta, EvangelineOak Bluffs, MA914-413-0887
Quintessential GardensDuphily Cook, Jessica
Westport, MA774-451-3848
Read ServiceRead, B. G.
Westport, MA508-642-8614
Sarah LaValley Garden DesignLaValley, SarahWestport, MA508-636-0061
Garden EndeavorsWillson, LauraSwansea, MA401-465-1760
Bristol County
Arborcare with Ropes ‘n Saddles, Inc
Brodeur, CarlEaston, MA508-584-2516
Greenscape Landscape DesignCheesman, Craig
East Taunton, MA508-525-3137
Landscaping Concepts, Inc.Langille, Robert
Seekonk, MA508-336-7830
NOFA/Mass
• Organic Land Care Program• Online Organic Food Guide• Summer & Winter Conferences• Advanced Growers’ Seminars• Gardening / Homesteading Workshops• Boston Metro Organizing Project• Newsletter & The Natural Farmer Newspaper• Raw Milk Network• Public Policy Activism• Bulk Ordering Growing Supplies
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Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 39
Massachusetts | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Landscape Planners, Inc.Mulry, WinslowWenham, MA978-468-2290
Lang, RobertLynn, MA
N.D. LandscapeZuidema, Abby
Georgetown, MA978-352-5400
Osborne OrganicsOsborne, Chip
Marblehead, MA781-631-2468
Peaceful Valley GardensMcLaughlin, Adaela
Haverhill, MA978-469-8324
PJC & Company Ecological Land Care Inc.
Newcombe, FredRowley, MA978-432-1019
Plant CreationsQuimby, CherylGeorgetown, MA
PotscapesMaunsell, CharleenGeorgetown, MA
Forget-Me-Not Garden ServicesCalkins, PeggyTalbot, Susan
South Hamilton, MAEssex, MA
[email protected]@earthlink.net
Grove Hill GardensPeterson, FranAndover, MA781-209-0972
Ida Wye DesignsWye, Ida
Georgetown, MA978-352-4403
Its Natures WayRoss, Andi
Newbury, MA978-465-2585
J.C. LandscapingKnodel, David L.
Peabody, MA978-532-9368
J.Gil Organic LandscapingGil, Javier
Newburyport, MA978-430-1865
JLH LandscapeHaendiges, Jeannine
Salem, MA978-825-9103
Landmark SchoolSauriol, Richard
Beverly, MA978-526-4015
Essex County
Back To NatureMasi, NanetteAmesbury, MA978-790-5329
Charles D. Sherzi, Jr. & Associates
Sherzi Jr., Charles D.Andover, MA978-470-4785
Church Street GardeningJones, Randy
Gloucester, MA978-828-1468
Cole, DarrahGloucester, MA360-271-6479
Dewey GardensDewey, Dan
Centerville, MA508-951-3984
Earth LandscapeDragon, Curtis
Salem, MA978-744-1475
Eastgate Garden DesignPeabody, DanielPeabody, GraceTopsfield, MA978-887-3769
[email protected]@eastgatedesigns.netwww.eastgatedesigns.net
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care40
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Massachusetts
Piper Landscape and IrrigationPiper, BrucePeabody, MA978-223-3029
PJB Landscape & Garden Design
Boyle, PennieWest Newbury, MA
The Herb Hill Microdairy Organics
McKain, LucyAndover, MA978-475-7931
Uppington Gardens/DesignUppington, Ann
Byfield, MA978-465-0827
Franklin County
Living LandscapesRoper, Frank
Wellesley/Orange, MA508-333-4267
The Seaside GardenerStanton, HeatherRockport, MA978-290-3904
Tripp, JayGroveland, MA508-560-4138
White Gardens Of RockportWhite, MaryRockport, MA978-546-9513
Wolf Hill Home and Garden Center
Asaro, JodyGloucester, MA978-281-4480
Annisquam Landcare, Inc.Burgess, Ben
Catalini, WilliamGloucester, MA978-282-3323
[email protected]@annisquamlandcare.comwww.annisquamlandcare.com
Mary Mintz Master GardenerMintz, Mary
Rockport, MA978-546-2155
Rue Sherwood Landscape Design
Sherwood, RueIpswich, MA978-356-4416
Shamrock AcresCarney-Feldman, Catherine
Ipswich, MA978-356-7093
Susan Quateman Landscape DesignQuateman, Susan
Wenham, MA978-468-7773
The Governor’s Academy/ Maintenance Dept.
Swift, PeterByfield, MA978-465-1763
[email protected]@govsacademy.org
www.thegovernorsacademy.org
The Herb FarmacyWollmering, Rita
Salisbury, MA978-834-7879
THE COUNTRY GARDENERS Ecological Landscape Design Phone: 413-644-0155 email:[email protected]
Want to see your name in this guide?
Become a NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. For information about upcoming
AOLCP courses, see page 5 or visit us online at www.organiclandcare.net.
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 41
Massachusetts | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Bella Terra GardeningLidsky, CorinneNewton, MA857-636-1784
Benjamin CrouchCambridge, MA
Bird House Organic Land CareCovell, AndrewWest Acton, MA
Cheshire Cat Organic GardensPegrum, Denise
Stow, MA978-461-2461
denise@cheshirecatorganicgardens.comwww.cheshirecatorganicgardens.com
Coppinger CompanyCoppinger, John
N. Chelmsford, MA978-251-8309
Ecological ViewsSmith, MichaelArlington, MA617-633-8459
EcoscapesPalatine, JuliaSomerville, MA978-852-7086
Federal Reserve Bank of BostonKelly, Paul
Concord, MA617-973-3786
Franciso’s LandscapingChicojay Chacon Francisco, JuanArlington, MA781-738-2657
Goat Nook FarmHolmes, Lori
Cummington, MA413-634-5076
Middlesex County
A Blade of GrassHellweg, MiriamWayland, MA508-358-4500
A Yard & A Half LandscapingEdsell-Vetter, Carolyn
Waltham, MA781-788-8855
ALE Land DesignMcLaurin Eccles, Anne
Lexington, MA781-888-5247
Angelli Garden DesignBringola, Susan
Framingham, MA508-877-4789
Anna’s Tender Land Care Service
Mayor, AnnaLittleton, MA617-388-2078
Applied EcologicsEggleton, DavidWoburn, MA339-227-5386
AquaTerra DesignsKimmel, KristenMaynard, MA617-298-8778
Hampden County
Blueberry Hill Gardens & Landscapes
Hamm, DebraMonson, MA413-531-3302
Garden Beds & BordersFrickenhaus, Karen
Monson, MA413 297-4768
GrassRoots Lawn CareRichards, Matthew
Westfield, MA413-250-7676
Hampshire County
Bob’s Organic Lawn CareHansmann, Bob
Easthampton, MA413-529-6854
Nature’s WaterGardenHelems, Deresa D.Southampton, MA
413-246-1189natureswatergarden@charter.netwww.natureswatergarden.com
Safeground Organic LandcareGiblin, BernadetteNorthampton, MA
www.safegroundlandcare.com
Treefrog Landscapes, Inc.Keeney, Michael
Northampton, MA413-586-8756
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care42
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Massachusetts
Moodscapes LLCLipson-Rubin, Judith
Arlington, MA781-488-3200
Organic GardenerMullen, TerriLittleton, MA978-486-1092
Organic Land CareChisholm, JonathanNutting Lake, MA
Organic Soil SolutionsMurray, Michael
Woburn, MA781-937-9992
OVM Landscape DesignMartins, OlgaNewton, MA617-312-1884
Parterre Garden Services, Inc.Mangan, LauraCambridge, MA
www.parterregarden.com
Portanova, ReneeSomerville, MA
Middlesex631-357-2735
Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening
Asbury, BriannaTownsend, MA978-597-3005Joyce, JarrodLowell, MA978-846-1106
Land EscapesSmith, TrevorArlington, MA617-308-7063
Laura Kuhn Design Consultation
Kuhn, LauraArlington, MA617-616-5069
Leftwich, Charles Carlisle, MA978-505-3077
Lepidoptera Landscape DesignMcManus, BridgetFramingham, MA
www.lepidoptera.com
Life In Your GardenVanderspek, Corinna
Arlington, MA781-648-1036
Light & Shade Garden Design, Inc.
Naish, SallyArlington, MA781-648-2380
Merrifield Garden and DesignMerrifield, KatieFramingham, MA
www.merrifieldgardendesign.com
Minglewood DesignsKearney, Angela
Lincoln, MA508-572-2812
Garden ExperienceSeifert, Jeff
Westford, MA978-692-0727
Gardening by MabelLiang, Mabel
Cambridge, MA617-491-5496
Gardens for LifeSmith, DoriActon, MA
www.gardensforlife.net
Gore Place SocietyClarke, Scott A.Watertown, MA
GreenHow, Inc.Greenhow, Sean
Newton, MA617-964-4733
GreenScapes Lawn & Garden Services, Inc.
Koll, FrankArlington, MA617-794-7108
Grove Hill GardensLowe, Elizabeth M.
Waltham, MA781-209-0972
Julia Mauldin, Fine GardenerMauldin, Julia
Framingham, MA508-380-5360
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 43
Massachusetts | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Zanardi, SolveyWatertown, MA
Armstrong, MichaelNewton, MA617-641-0799
D and L LandscapingDoherty, PJ
Arlington, MA781-648-0760
From The Ground UpYoung, CandaceConcord, MA978-505-0296
Laurel Garden DesignPaige, DarcyMelrose, MA781-856-9841
Mattei, LisaMarlboro, MA508-341-5549
Mount Auburn CemeterySullivan, Kelley Andrew
Cambridge, MA617-607-1960
Nancy Forbes GardensForbes, NancyBelmont, MA617-484-8127
North Shore HorticultureGignac, DennisMelrose, MA
(978) [email protected]
www.northshorehorticulture.com
Property Management TeamFillios, ChristusBelmont, MA617-590-6471
Sun & Moon Lanscape DesignTimpa, Judy
Wakefield, MA781-245-2344
Susan Marsh Landscape DesignMarsh, SusanBelmont, MA617-448-9231
Suzanne Hopkins McDonough, R. L. A.
Hopkins McDonough, SuzanneFramingham, MA
Ted Chapman Landscape Design
Chapman, TedNewton, MA617-244-8780
Town of Acton Recreation Department
Fochtman, CatherineActon, MA
Unisource Commercial Landscape
Aschettino, MichaelHudson, MA978-562-3398
Woodside Garden DesignCoutre, JaneConcord, MA978-697-3092
Your Garden CuratorMonahan, RobertSomerville, MA617-710-0243
Liversidge, MargaretActon, MA
Shaine, SusanTownsend, MA
Middlesex978-597-3005
[email protected], StephanieTownsend, MA978-597-3005
[email protected], Priscilla
Townsend, MA978-597-3005
Pure LawnsDiClemente, Peter
Newton, MA617-276-7877
Rad Urban FarmersRadoslovich, Charlie
Arlington, MA781-258-4071
Risa Edelstein DesignsEdelstein, RisaArlington, MA617-710-8157
Seth Berman GardenersBerman, Seth B.Cambridge, MA
Site Landscape Design and Fine Gardening
Silva, MarleneArlington, MA
Middlesex781-643-3409
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care44
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Massachusetts
Nantucket PlantsmanPeraner, MichaelNantucket, MA508-246-8515
Nantucket Trees LandscapingSchurm, Eric
Nantucket, MA508-228-7751
[email protected]@hotmail.com
Perkins, JoNantucket, MA508-901-1190
Pumpkin Pond FarmMcGowan, MaryNantucket, MA508-332-4750
Sconset GardenerFriel, John
Nantucket, MA508-228-3422
[email protected], Cori
[email protected], Charles A.
Short Cuts Lawn ServiceMcIntosh, JamesNantucket, MA508-228-6728
The Garden Design CompanyJordin, Julie
Nantucket, MA508-325-4080
Norfolk County
Abbott, Susan W.Needham, MA781-444-8275
Jesse Dutra Landscape Inc.Nakov, Vesso
Nantucket, MA508- 325- 4517
Korueva, ZhanaNantucket, MA
Marcus Landscape GardeningChurns, MarcusNantucket, MA508-527-7068
Marcus Landscape GardeningKeller, GreysonNantucket, MA508-292-7996
Maskell LandscapingKlein, ChapinNantucket, MA508-257-1430
Moon Tree GardensVan Lieu, SarahNantucket, MA508-364-3277
Nantucket Edible LandscapesBull, Kelly
Nantucket, MA770-361-3194
Nantucket Garden Design Company
Labbee, RachelSiasconset, MA508-680-4843
Nantucket Heritage Landscape Maintenance
Gibson, SteveNantucket, MA508-228-5187
Seaborg, JimmyWayland, MA508-572-2825
Yarrow Stalk FarmUgelow, LindaConcord, MA781-275-1425
Nantucket County
B. E. Byrne, Inc.Byrne, Barry
Nantucket, MA508-228-3012
C. Hermansdorfer GardeningHermansdorfer, Christine
Nantucket, MA508-228-9851
Coffin LandscapingLeisher Coffin, Heather
Nantucket, MA508-228-8813
Fairview LandscapesBittner, CeceliaNantucket, MA978-270-8436
Hemingwayscapes, Inc.Hemingway, KatieNantucket, MA508-325-0286
Hither Creek GardenerWood, Julie
Nantucket, MA508-353-9830
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 45
Massachusetts | NOFA Accredited Professionals
New England Organic Waste Recycle
Cortes Gumucio, ChristianDedham, MA617-553-0336
Sodbusters LandcareFuqua, RobertWeymouth, MA
Gardens 2 GoAlexander, Deborah
Needham, MA617-448-2419
Plymouth County
Fresh Idea Organic Land Care Management
Lipton, Rebecca F.Plympton, MA781-608-2389
Greenscape DesignsPierdinock, TinaDuxbury, MA781-834-5439
Severance, ChristopherMarion, MA508-863-2463
Suffolk County
Arnold ArboretumSchwartz Sax, MilesJamaica Plain, MA
Boston GreenscapesQueipo, Scott
Dorchester, MA617-858-0767
Jardim, Avelar R.508-660-3139
Paradigm LandscapingCotter, JoeQuincy, MA617-472-7550
Perennial ClassicsSutherland, Karen
Millis, MA508-376-5096
Pyramid Multi Services, Inc.Aramayo, Alberto
Dedham, MA877-877-2993
Calderon, Adrian617-888-0085
Thayer NurseryDiZinno, Peter
Milton, MA617-698-2005
[email protected], Maggie
The Garden Continuum, Inc.Allen, MoniqueMedfield, MA508-359-8200
G/S Associates and Natural Resource Commission/
Town of WellesleyKost-Gross, Heidi
Wellesley Hills, MA781-237-2618
Forget-Me-Not GardensVollmuth, JillMedfield, MA508-359-4994
Hartney GreymontNarbonne, Shane Allen
Needham, MA781-444-1227
[email protected], Ted
[email protected], Gary
Joyce, KathleenMilton, MA617-462-9731
Lattanzio LandscapesLattanzio, Nancy
Milton, MA617-962-3235
Local Colors Garden CareMulligan, Martha
Needham, MA781-444-3229
Lueders EnvironmentalCartier, RichMedfield, MA508-359-9905
Lueders Environmental, Inc.Lueders, MichaelNeedham, MA508-359-9905luedersco.com
Nature Works Landscape Services, Inc.
Booth, NathanielWalpole, MA
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care46
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Massachusetts
Glenside Gardening ServicesKane, Maurine
Leominister, MA978-413-3112
Inside-Out Garden DesignKalil, CherHolden, MA508-829-9983
Lueders EnvironmentalGianetti, Anthony
Milford, MA508-887-6018
Nancy DeWolfe LandscapesDeWolfe, Nancy
Westborough, MA508-366-5566
Olde Thyme Flower & Vegetable Gardens
Sweeney, JennaHarvard, MA978-844-3197
Organic Garden DesignHarragian, Cathy
Sterling, MA978-422-6217
Otto s GardensKearns, RonHarvard, MA978-339-3404
Pleasant View NurseryKennen, Henry R.
Paxton, MA508-752-5967
Ellen Forrester Landscape Design
Forrester, EllenAllston, MA617-987-0867
Worcester County
Busy Bee Nursery & LandscapeTaubert, Sharon Lovely
Jefferson, MA508-829-5380
Dave’s Tree and LandscapingHatton, DaveHolden, MA508-829-6803
Denis Wagner Fine GardeningWagner, DenisHarvard, MA617-512-9243
Dig in It, Inc.Hinrichs, Peter W.Shrewsbury, MA
Discovered GardensStafford, RussellLancaster, MA508-335-8106
Durrant DesignDurrant, Pamela
Harvard, MA978-456-3695
Ford’s Hometown ServicesFord, Chris
Worcester, MA508-852-4066
www.fordshometown.com
Christie Dustman & CompanyMarini, Paul
Roslindale, MA617-327-0330
[email protected], Christie
NewSense Environmental Services Network Inc.
Brown, DennisBoston, [email protected]
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Lobdell, MatthewBoston, MA617-603-7732
[email protected], Anthony
Smarr, Tom617-292-0020
[email protected], Stuart
www.rosekennedygreenway.org
Sally Muspratt Landscape Design, Inc.
Muspratt, SaraWest Roxbury, MA
Winston Flowers Garden Design
Shafner, JoeBoston, MA617-268-2115
[email protected]/garden
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 47
Massachusetts through New Hampshire | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Merrimack County
Cowles, EstherHopkinton, NH603-746-2071
Odell, RalphPittsfield, NH603-435-7397
Terra Design LandscapesRico, DeniseHenniker, NH603-428-4258
Rockingham County
Griffin, NellPortsmouth, NH
Hennessey Landscape Services, Inc.
Hennessey, MichaelPlaistow, NH603-382-7715
Piscataqua Landscaping Co., Inc.
Veazey, MikeExeter, NH
The Good Food Farm/Florascape
Cinamon-Whalen, DebEast Kingston, NH
www.debcinamonwhalen.com
The Meandering PathBokat Stone, Suzanne
Exeter, NH603-686-2626
Hillsborough County
Artful GardenerClaffey, Debra
New Boston, NH603-487-3661
Broad Oak Tree & Shrub Care Inc.
Tremblay, Daniel L. Peterborough, NH
Hilltop Pruning ServicesCox, Sara
Francestown, NH603-547-3707
Pleasant Pond Landscaping, LLC
Tyler, John A.Bennington, NH
T.W.I.G. Horticultural Consulting
Kovecses, PaulaWeare, NH
www.twigthewayitgrows.com
Coronis Landscape/ Business Consultants
Coronis, LaurenceWilton, NH603-721-9812
Howe, JanaMont Vernon, NH
Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening, Inc.
Imbriglio, CarmineBaldwinville, MA
Benoit, SarahSterling, MA978-852-0606
Roots Rock LandscapingGrigos, NathanPrinceton, MA508-397-8106
Swift’s Creative Landscape, Inc.Swift, WalterMendon, MA508-478-3768
Turessa Botanicals Garden DesignPavone, DawnBoylston, MA508-869-6279
New Hampshire
Belknap County
Garden Artisans LLCWells-Kay, Ginger
Belmont, NH603-524-8607
Grafton County
Valley OrganicsPenrose, Coley C.J.West Lebanon, NH
Grafton 603-252-8747
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care48
NOFA Accredited Professionals | New Hampshire through New Jersey
Ross Landscape DesignRoss, SandyCalifon, NJ201-704-0885
[email protected]/sandraross
Middlesex County
Organic Turf and InsectPote, TomChester, NJ908-879-7004
organicturfandinsect.com
Monmouth County
Siciliano Landscaping Company, LLCSeydell, KentonRed Bank, NJ732-567-5582
Morris County
Plant Health AlternativesConroy, James J.Morris Plains, NJ
www.TheTreeWhisperer.com
Colonial Gardens Landscape Company, LLC
Munns, AlexLumberton, NJ609-261-2757
alex@colonialgardenslandscape.comwww.colonialgardenslandscape.com
Camden County
Raffa, MichaelCherry Hill, NJ856-484-7708
Hunterdon County
Laurie FischerFischer, Laurie
Whitehouse Station, NJ908-534-2525
NaturalScape, Inc.Scarinci, DavidPittstown, NJ908-735-6355
Turf TrendsVazquez, DanCalifon, NJ908-443-1481
Strafford County
Piscataqua Landscaping Co., Inc.
Lynch, AlyssaDover, NH
New Jersey
Bergen County
Camberly GardensCavilla, DavidTenafly, NJ201-569-9291
Integrated Arbor SolutionsMastrobuoni, Todd
Fair Lawn, NJ201-830-9103
toddm@integratedarborsolutions.comwww.integratedarborsolutions.com
Burlington County
McLaughlin LandscapeMcLaughlin, Michael
Ridgewood, NJ201-444-4571
TREES IN DECLINE?STRESSED TREES?
HOLISTIC ENERGY HEALING APPROACHGREEN SOLUTION–NO PRODUCTS
ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY TREE CARERESTORES LIFE FORCE TO TREES
STRENGTHENS PLANET’S FORESTS WEAKENEDBY CLIMATE CHANGE
TEACHES EXPERIENCE-BASED “TOUCH” SYSTEM
201-650-1231www.TheTreeWhisperer.comwww.StrengthenForests.com
Classes also available.www.TreeWhispering.com
Serving all of Northeast, U.S.A.
CallThe
TreeWhisperer™
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 49
New Jersey through New York | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Rockland County
Flora Landscapes Ltd.Adishian, AniNyack, NY
Second Nature Lawn Care, IncBuchan, Bill
Pearl River, NY845-735-2331
Saratoga County
Greg’s Seasonal ServiceBombard, GregWaterford, NY518-505-1353
Suffolk County
Alternative Earthcare Tree & Lawn Systems
Munno, DanaBayshore, NY631-499-4300
Avery, SueStony Brook, NY
Golden Consulting LLCGoldenberg, Howard
Mattituck, NY631-298-2696
Heirloom Gardens, LLCRoman, Ivan
East Hampton, NY631-721-0469
Livingston County
Josh Lawn Care and Landscaping Inc.
Deignan, RobertConesus, NY585-346-5110
Monroe County
EcoBuyWay, LLCCosta, JoanneRochester, NY585-482-4217
T.L.C Organic Lawn CareWiesmore, Timothy
Churchville, NY585-594-3311
Nassau County
Jeff’s Custom Landscaping Corp.
Forsander, JeffGlen Head, NY516-674-0634
New York County
The New York Botanical GardenUyterhoeven, Sonia
New York, NY718-817-8592
Onondaga County
Sycamore Hill Farm & GardenWiers, TinaTully, NY
Green Path Organic LandcareBucuk, Mike and Tom
Chatham, NJ973-301-0551
Ocean County
Earth Groomers Inc.Davidson, StevenToms River, NJ732-573-1800
New York
Albany County
Acquario, VirginiaDelmar, NY518-439-7132
Bronx County
Weinstein, MobeeBronx, NY
Dutchess County
Horticultural SolutionsThode, Mike
Hopewell Junction, NY845-494-1311
More For Less LandscapingLeonard, Les
Pleasant Valley, NY845-224-5558
Singing Brook GardensHajdek, AnaWassaic, NY845-789-1294
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care50
NOFA Accredited Professionals | New York
Greener by DesignSalvatore, Joe
New Rochelle, NY914-637-9870
Hudson Pines Smith, Marcia
Sleepy Hollow, [email protected]
Manor Tree CompanyMancuso, EdValhalla, NY914-738-1785
Merone Landscaping Inc.Merone, Leonard A.
Eastchester, NY914-337-5126
Peter AtkinsAtkins, PeterBedford, NY914-234-0161
Saw Mill River Nursery, LLCSirchio, Beth
Bedford Hills, NY914-242-5472
Tompkins Organic GardensTompkins, Aiken
Hastings on Hudson, NY914-400-9529
Vista Landscape ManagementMitchell, Betsy B.
Briarcliff Manor, NY914-610-8324
Kim’s Native Landscape Consulting
Eierman, KimberlyBronxville, NY914-779-9648
AP FarmWaeschle, Jeff
Cross River, NY914-763-6040
ArborscapeMcLaren, Nicholas
Brewster, NY845-940-0555
Breath of SpringGaillard, AnnPelham, NY914-738-3865
Carmine Labriola Contracting Corporation
Estrada, UbaldoScarsdale, NY914-723-0600
[email protected], Lawrence
Compostwerks LLCSchmidt, PeterMt. Kisco, NY914-273-9294
DeLuca Lawn Maintenance Service, Inc.
DeLuca, PeterBedford, NY845-227-2335
Dwight Brooks HorticulturalistBrooks, DwightKatonah, NY914-232-0714
Eleanor HoffmanHoffman, EleanorNew Rochelle, NY
Organically Green Professional Lawn & Tree Spraying, Inc.
Aronica, JohnNesconset, NY631-467-7999
[email protected], Steve
South Country Arboriculture, Inc.
Jensen, JeffreyBrookhaven, NY
Ulster County
Catskill Native NurseryDombrowski, MikeKerhonkson, NY
catskillnativenursery.com
Washington County
Green-Springs Landscaping, LLC
Hansen, RonaldGreenwich, NY518-692-7915
Westchester County
Almstead Tree, LawnAlmstead, Ken
New Rochelle, NY800-427-1900
[email protected], TimHawthorne, NY914-741-1510
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 51
Ohio through Rhode Island | NOFA Accredited Professionals
Lynch, JasonNewport, RI401-829-1666
Providence County
City and Estate GardenerCraft, Sara
Providence, RI401-935-2312
Green Circle DesignLacouture, KateProvidence, RI401-421-9599
Washington County
Dana DesignsMillar, Dana K.
West Kingston, RI401-486-0495
Elm Street GardensLoVetere, Jenifer
Westerly, RI401-714-2239
Michael Veracka Landscape Gardener
Veracka, MichaelExeter, RI
www.michaelveracka.com
Ned Phillips, Jr.Phillips, Ned
Block Island, RI401-218-5266
Tupelo Gardenworks, Ltd.Weaver, Catherine
Wakefield, RI401-788-8343
Delaware County
True Roots Natural Landscaping
Verin, PacoMedia, PA
Philadelphia County
Laurel Hill GardensPritchard, DawnPhiladelphia, PA
Rhode Island
Bristol County
Roger Williams UniversityClement, Matt
Bristol, RI401-254-3003
Kent County
Liz GardensCantrell, Elizabeth
Coventry, RI401-919-6226
Newport CountyHall, Linda
Portsmouth, RI401-683-5783
Kure-Jensen, SannePortsmouth, RI401-369-3303
AnndesignBaptista, AnneMiddletown, RI401-743-5667
Ohio
York County
A Good StartPotter, Marianne
Old Orchard Beach, OH614-205-0614
Oklahoma
Tulsa County
Grogg’s Green BarnGrogg, KellyTulsa, OK
groggsgreenbarn.com
Oregon
Multnomah County
Erin J Muir Landscape DesignMuir, Erin
Portland, OR503-206-6041
Pennsylvania
Chester County
Longwood GardensCressman, Adam
Kennett Square, PA610-883-6572
Dauphin County
The Plant Place/Davis Florist & Garden Center
Davis, BryceHarrisburg, PA717-545-4721
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care52
NOFA Accredited Professionals | Rhode Island through Wisconsin
ThriveMarty, TrishaReston, VA703-587-0821
Prince Anne County
My Sisters GardenDriscoll, Heather
Virginia Beach, VA757-513-7171
hdriscoll@mysistersgardenorganics.comwww.mysistersgardenorganics.com
Wisconsin
Outagamie County
Fox Valley Technical CollegeBeard, Jim
Appleton, [email protected]
Today’s OrganicsHalverson, Shirley
Appleton, WI920-850-4486
Windsor County
Chippers, inc.Krieg, Liz
Woodstock, VT802-457-5100
Virginia
Albemarle County
Coate, JimCharlottesville, VA
434-284-3842
Fairfax County
Deehan LandscapingDeehan, JaimeMerrifield, VA703-849-8226
[email protected] Deeham, Cate
Meridian Landscape, LLCKucik, MattHerndon, VA703-435-7943
Wood River EvergreensCrandall, FrankHope Valley, RI401-364-3387
Tennessee
Shelby County
Classic LawnsBender, AlanMemphis, TN901-340-8779
Vermont
Rutland County
Morgan Mountain Organic GardenersRutland
Morgan, PaulMiddletown Springs, [email protected]
Visit us online to access AOLCP profiles or browse by AOLCP services!
Access the Organic Land-scaper Search at our website, www.organiclandcare.net. Click on the “Search” but-ton under the “Landscape Search” box.
Provide your zip code and enter the services you seek in order to find an accred-ited professional in your area. You can also browse the Glossary of Services for search criteria ideas. Search results include a full description of the AOLCPs who provide services in your zip code.
While on our website, look in the “Homeowner Corner” for seasonal articles written by experienced organic land care professionals and for do-it-yourself homeowner’s tips.
1. 2. 3.
Pesticide Information
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 53
General information
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Pesticide Data-base: For toxicity and regulatory information for pesti-cides, see www.pesticideinfo.org
Connecticut
CT Department of Environmental Protection: dep.state.ct.us or 860-424-3000
Pesticide Regulation: Pesticides are regulated by the Bureau of Waste Management of the CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). For more information, call 860-424-3369.
CT DEP Pesticide Notification List: If you want to be notified when your abutting neighbors are going to have their property commercially treated with pesticides, visit dep.state.ct.us/wst/pesticides/registry_prenotification.htm or contact the bureau at: Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Management, Pesticide Man-agement Program, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106.
Restricted Pesticide Use Around Schools: A law bans use of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of children’s day care centers and elementary schools, with an exception for athletic fields, which must use IPM (Integrated Pest Management—a program in which pesticides are applied only when necessary) for three years and transition to no pesticide use by 2010.
Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
CT DEP Emergency Spill Reporting: 866-337-7745 or 860-424-3338
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: www.caes.state.ct.us For insect inquires, call 203-974-8600. For disease or weed inquiries, call 203-974-8496
NOFA CT: www.ctnofa.org
MASSACHUSETTS
Pesticide Regulation: Pesticides are regulated by the Pesticide Bureau in the Division of Regulatory and Con-sumer Services of the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR). Visit www.mass.gov/agr/pesticides or contact them at Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114. Report any pesticide violations to the DAR at 617-626-1782.
Restricted Pesticide Use Around Schools: In addition to Federal regulations, Massachusetts has its own law re-stricting pesticide use in schools. Highlights include: parents must be notified, carcinogenic chemicals are prohibited, and pesticides for cosmetic reasons only are not allowed. For more information, visit www.massnrc.org/ipm
Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
DAR 24-hour Emergency Spill Reporting: 1-888-304-1133
Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station: www.umass.edu/nre/experimentstation/expstoverview.html or 413-545-5913
MA Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.ma.us/dep or 617-292-5500
NOFA MA: www.nofamass.org
NEW JERSEY
NJ Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/
NJ DEP Pesticide Regulations: www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/pcp/pcp-regs.htm
NJ School Integrated Pest Management Program Laws and Regulations: www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/ipm-laws.htm
To File a Complaint: 609-984-6568
To Report a Pesticide Spill or Accidental Misap-plication: Call DEP’S 24-Hour Hotline: 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337)
The Pesticide Control Program encourages citizen and in-dustry awareness and cooperation with regard to pesticide incidents observed. Calling the Bureau of Pesticide Compli-ance with possible violations you have observed will help us determine if a violation has happened, help us take correc-tive or preventive measures, and ultimately help us in our
Pesticide Information
The following is a list of local resources and contacts by state.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care54
Pesticide Information | Local Contacts and Resources
efforts to protect health and the environment. In addition, any person required to be licensed as a pesticide applicator must immediately report spills that meet the “reportable pesticide spill” definition in NJAC 7:30, Subchapter 9. For further guidance, visit: www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpc-complaint.htm
Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
NOFA NJ: www.nofanj.org
NEW YORK
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: www.dec.ny.gov
The Neighbor Notification Law, Rule and Regulation: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8529.html This law requires 48 hour notice to neighbors for certain commercial lawn applications, posting of visual notification markers for most residential lawn applications, providing notice to oc-cupants of multiple dwellings and other occupied structures,
and posting of an information sign by retailers who sell general use lawn pesticides. This regulation is effective in a County, or in New York City, that has adopted a local law to “opt into” the Neighbor Notification Law in its entirety. Contact the involved local government, to confirm whether a neighbor notification law is in place.
Pest Management for Schools, Daycare Centers and Parents: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/42920.html
NYS DEC Division of Law Enforcement: 1-877-457-5680; email: [email protected]
Information to Include When Reporting a Viola-tion: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2460.html
NOFA NY: www.nofany.org
Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
Rhode Island
RI Department of Environmental Management: www.dem.ri.gov
General Information: 222-6800
After Hours Emergencies: 222-3070
RI DEM Office of Emergency Response: If you know of an environmental incident in RI, such as a release of a hazardous substance — of any amount, whether on land, in water, or in the air — or if you suspect a release is immi-nent, during normal business hours (Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.), call 401-222-1360, The Office of Compliance and Inspection; or anytime, any emergency, call 401-222-3070, “The Environmental Police” (the Division of Law Enforcement) at the DEM Hot-line.
RI DEM Pesticide Regulations: www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/agric/pestrg06.pdf
Pesticide applications and notification of pesticideapplica-tions in schools, pre-schools and child care centers in Rhode Island: Statute 23-25-37. Visit www.rilin.state.ri.us/stat-utes/title23/ 23-25/23-25-37.htm
Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
NOFA RI: www.nofari.org
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 55
Even by not doing some things, such as not pruning your hedges into artificial looking mounds and rectangles, and keeping shrubs in a natural open form, you are more likely to increase your bird population because it’s easier for our feathered friends to fly into and out of them! There are many birds that subsist primarily on insects. When practicing natural gardening, we eliminate the use of chemi-cals which are designed to “kill” insects in a broad spec-trum – they’ll not only kill the bad insects but the good ones as well.
What are “beneficials”? Beneficial insects are the good insects that assist in the natural balance of the outdoor organic garden. Probably most beneficial to us are the pollinators. Bees are the most commonly known to us, but butterflies, bats, birds, beetles and even mosquitoes also assist in this very important function, which the human race is dependent upon for the majority of our plant food. Pollinators are needed for 90% of flowering plants and one third of food crops.
The natural enemies of nearly all pollinators and in-sects feed on pollen and/or nectar at some stage of their lives. Many flowers provide this food source to them, but to achieve maximum benefits, avoid double petal flower varieties like marigolds, geraniums, mums and roses because the nectar and pollen have basically been bred out of them. Choose old fashioned, heirloom, and native varieties when-ever possible, and plant as many different kinds as possible,
as plant diversity encourages pollinator diversity.Beneficials also eat, paralyze, parasitize and essentially
destroy all the bad insects that infest your prized ornamen-tals and valuable edibles. Beneficial predators that help maintain a natural balance include lacewings, lady beetles, syrphid flies, assassin bugs, spiders, dragonflies and dam-selflies, ground beetles, beneficial nematodes, toads, snakes and birds. We all understand that predators mainly eat the bad guys. What is less understood is the role of parasitic insects. Insect parasitoids have an immature life stage (egg-larvae etc.) that develops on or within a single insect host, ultimately consuming and killing the host. Adult parasit-oids are free-living and may be predaceous.
In this article we will examine some examples of the major groups of beneficial insects: in the predatory group, lacewings, lady beetles and syrphid flies (aka hover flies); and in the parasitic group, the stingless mini-wasps and tachinid flies.
To attract beneficial insects, plant herbs and flowers which produce nectar-rich food. Some examples are an-ise hyssop, lavender, thyme, sedum and sunflowers. Many beneficials have shorter mouthparts and prefer flowers that are minute. Umbelliferous plants have an umbrella type
Attracting Beneficial Insects
By Laurie Waite
To enhance the rich diversity of an ecosystem in balance, there are ways to actively bring beneficial insects and
other wildlife to your garden. By incorporating diverse plants and utilizing native plants we assist in bringing our environment closer to a
healthy, natural state.
Photo: Goldeneyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata, 1 to 1.5 centi-meters long. By Stephen Ausmus, used with permission from the Agricultural Research Service (USDA).
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care56
Waite | Attracting Beneficial Insects
head which makes it easy for insects to land on and feed, but they are also com-posed of many tiny flowers for the tiny mouthparts. These include dill, fennel, parsley and cilantro (coriander). Plant an insectary strip of these herbs near your vegetables or even within your peren-nial gardens. Let them flower and you’ll be truly amazed at the variety of insects they’ll attract.
Another important consideration is habitat and shelter. Ornamental grasses, irises and lilies are all excellent for this purpose, whether certain species are nesting, or just resting to eye prey. Water –- the key to all life -– is equally impor-tant in helping beneficials thrive, espe-cially honey bees. Provide saucers filled with water ¼” from the top and place small rocks in the saucer for perching. These may be hard to keep filled during hot summer days, as they do evaporate quickly, but the rewards are well worth it. Another way to provide water is with a chicken watering set-up -- a big jar set upside down with a small opening into a narrow trough.
The five examples [at right] are among the hardest working beneficial insects. Learn to recognize their different stages. Even when you do observe “bad” insects, there is no need to panic: pick them off or let nature do its work. A vegetable crop such as pole beans can sustain 40% of leaf damage before it affects crop produc-tion. The healthier your soil and your environment, the fewer problems you will encounter. Have fun out there - make it your mission to continue to seek the wonderful balance of nature in the most completely natural way and to see your flora and fauna thrive!
Five examples of beneficial insects:
Lacewings (Predatory Group):
n Common green lacewings feed on pollen, nectar or honeydew (sugary secretion from aphids) before they can lay eggs.
n Both adults (particularly brown lacewings) and larvae feed on aphids, thrips, whiteflies, leafminers, small caterpillars, and beetle larvae.
n Adults are approximately ½” to ¾” (or 12 – 20mm) long.
Lady Beetle (Predatory Group):
n Both adult and larvae feed on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, mealybugs and scales, as well as on spider mites, eggs of cabbage worms, and some beetles.
n Adults are approximately 1/3” (or 7-8 mm) long.n One of our common native lady beetle species, the pink spot-
ted lady beetle, has a diet of up to 50% pollen.
Syrphid fly – a.k.a. Hover fly (Predatory group):
n Adults feed on nectar and also help pollinate.n Larvae prey on aphids, mealybugs and other small insects.n They resemble bees, but do not sting.n Adults are approximately ¼” to ½” (6 – 12 mm) long.
Stingless Mini Wasps – e.g. Braconidae – contain many different species (Parasitic Group):
n (Note – there are many families, with hundreds of species.)n Most parasitic wasps feed on plant nectar as adults. These
are the ones with the very tiny mouthparts.n They do not sting and are very tiny 1/50” to 1” (or .6 to 25
mm) long.n Parasitic wasps reproduce by laying their eggs in or on a pest,
generally in the host’s larval or nymph stage.n A wide variety of hosts include cabbage loopers, hornworms,
plum curculio, and tarnished plant bug.
Tachinid Fly (Parasitic Group):
n Adults feed on nectar.n They resemble house flies and are 1/3” to 1/2” (or 8 mm to
12mm) longn Tachinid flies are internal parasites of squash bug nymphs,
cutworms, codling moths, tent caterpillars and gypsy moth larvae.
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Approximately 75% of human cases of Lyme disease are acquired while doing things around the home, such as play, lawn care, and gardening. Children are often particularly at risk of exposure to infected ticks.
Familiarity with ticks, knowing how to protect your-self and your family, and learning to promptly detect and remove ticks can help you avoid Lyme disease. In addition, there are a number of actions that can be taken to help manage tick numbers in the residential environment, includ-ing an organically managed landscape.
Most people acquire Lyme disease from the bite of the small nymphal stage of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapu-laris, commonly known as the deer tick. Nymphal ticks are small, difficult to spot, and are active in May, June, July, and to a much lesser extent, in August.
Adults of this tick are active in the fall, warm days of winter and the spring. They are easier to spot and, there-fore, are associated with fewer cases of disease. The Ameri-can dog tick does not transmit the agent of Lyme disease.
The majority of blacklegged tick nymphs live in the woods, especially in the leaf litter, or in ground cover. On lawns, I find most of the nymphal ticks within only a few yards of the edge of woods, stone walls, and brushy areas. Chances of tick bite may be reduced by taking a few per-sonal protective measures. When I am in an area infested with ticks, I wear long pants tucked into my socks and use a DEET-based product or a permethrin-based cloth-ing repellent. Current herbal-based repellent is unlikely to provide much protection, but new ones are under develop-ment. It is important, on returning indoors, to carefully check yourself and your children for ticks. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with a pair of fine tweezers. It takes 36-48 hours for an infected tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. One study showed that tick checks and bathing (more chance to detect a tick) soon after exposure to tick infested areas can significantly reduce the chances of getting
Lyme disease.Surveys indicate that landscape practices to reduce the
suitability of the habitat for ticks and tick hosts are one of the most popular tick management options. Few ticks are found in sunny, open lawn areas.
Moving playsets away from the woodland edge may reduce exposure to ticks. My field studies in Connecticut, a field study in New Jersey, and some laboratory trials have indicated that the removal of leaf litter, particularly at the lawn perimeter, and the use of certain landscape materials in a landscape barrier may reduce the number of nymphal ticks moving into or found in a given area. I have found few blacklegged ticks in pasture or wildflower type meadows except along woodland edge. Therefore, a meadow or but-terfly garden may be an alternative to turf for some areas. Landscape practices that reduce food, cover and shelter, at least near the home, for important hosts like deer, mice and chipmunks may also prove helpful.
Tick control for many homeowners involves the use of insecticides, mainly by commercial applicators. While the application of insecticides around the home raises legitimate health and environmental concerns, one application per season is generally quite effective in controlling ticks, and their use needs to be placed within the context of overall pesticide use versus the risk of tick bite and Lyme disease. Some products are available to homeowners as concentrates or ready-to-spray products. The optimum time for a spray application for nymphal ticks would be mid-May to early June, focusing primarily on the lawn perimeter, adjacent woodland margins, and other suitable tick habitat such as groundcover. Granular applications also have been found to be effective, but they would have to be dispersed into the woods to be most effective. My earlier research has found
Coping With Ticks In The Home Landscape
By Kirby C. Stafford III, Ph.D.
With the arrival of warm weather, people’s thoughts turn to the outdoors and the home landscape. However, the onset of spring and summer is also associated with ticks and the period of highest risk for Lyme disease and other tick-associated illnesses in the Northeast.
Photo: Adult deer tick. By Scott Bauer, used with permission from the Agricultural Research Service (USDA).
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care58
Stafford | Coping with Ticks in the Home Landscape
that only certain combinations of natural pyrethrin (with piperonyl butoxide) and insecticidal soap (or silicon diox-ide, i.e., diatomaceous earth) provided good tick control. However, piperonyl butoxide, an apparent requirement for the effective use of pyrethrin against ticks, is not permitted under organic land care standards and no single product contains all three ingredients: pyrethrin, piperonyl butox-ide, and insecticidal soap. More recent field trials by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and colleagues at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute in South Portland found that products containing either garlic or rosemary oil provided relatively good tick control, but may have to be reapplied every 2-3 weeks.
The insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae Strain F52 may soon become a biological and organic alter-native to synthetic chemicals for tick control in the residen-tial landscape. Laboratory and field experiments by CAES show that spores of this fungus infect and kill nymphal blacklegged ticks. Novozymes Biologicals Inc. is develop-ing the Metarhizium fungus under the name Tick-Ex. It is currently registered by the EPA and in virtually all states. A limited launch under the Tick-Ex label is anticipated in 2011. The fungus Beauveria bassiana has also provided relatively good control.
Host-targeted approaches have been found effective in reducing tick abundance in specific settings. A number
For more information on tick management and tick- associated diseases, see the various tick fact sheets and the Tick Management Handbook: An Integrated Guide for Home-owners, Pest Control Operators, and Public Health Officials for the Prevention of Tick-Associated Disease at the CAES website: http://www.ct.gov/caes.Kirby C. Stafford III, Ph.D. is Vice Director and Chief Ento-mologist in the Department of Entomology at The Connecti-cut Agricultural Experiment Station.Kirby C. Stafford III, PhD Vice Director, Chief Entomologist, State Entomologist Department of Entomology The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 123 Huntington Street - Box 1106, New Haven, CT 06504 Phone: 203-974-8485, Fax: 203-974-8502 E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.ct.gov/caes
of studies have documented substantial tick reductions through the exclusion of deer by fencing or reduction of deer numbers. The topical treatment of white-tailed deer or white-footed mice with insecticides through bait sta-tions to kill ticks feeding on these hosts also has been shown to reduce host-seeking ticks in experimental studies. However, deer or rodent bait stations have not been widely used and the rodent bait box is currently not being manu-factured, largely due to cost.
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ConnecticutAnne Wolak
Garden Design, LLCWolak, AnneHaddam, CT860-605-6830
Artscape Organic-Care, LLCPapa, Mike
Stamford, CT203-252-1954
Carone and Sons LandscapingCarone, Arthur J. Manchester, CT
860-648-2863
Go Organic LLCTycz, John
Thompson, CT860-935-5235
Green Cross Inc.Pierce, Kent Norwalk, CT203-838-2505
Loretta Stagen DesignsStagen, Loretta
New Preston, CT203-323-2544
MacPhee, Daniel New Haven, CT
203-432-9363
Martin, Tovah Roxbury, CT860-354-7960
DelawareG.R.O. (Grass Root Organics)
Kindl, Adam Milford, DE302-381-7722
FloridaEco Logic Land Care
Orlikoff, Ian Naples, FL
239-348-1302
MaineCasco Bay Safe Lawns
Bottomley, Peter Cape Elizabeth, ME
207-799-2845
Sunset Farm OrganicsLorrain, Paul Lyman, ME207-423-9348
MassachusettsBack To NatureMasi, NanetteAmesbury, MA978-790-5329
Benjamin CrouchCrouch, Benjamin Cambridge, MA
617-935-4025
Mencel, Ken Bridgeport, CT203-372-7828
Michael Siano Garden DesignSiano, MichaelFairfield, CT203-259-0561
Mucci, Teresa Wilton, CT203-722-8158
Nature’s EdenBender, Ellen O. Ellington, CT860-871-8085
Naturescape, LLCMiner, Marcie Andover, CT860-742-0326
Out in the GardenBrach, Bob
Sherman, CT860-210-7954
Roberts & Roberts Landscape and Garden Design
Roberts, Deborah Stamford, CT203-979-3672
Verdesign LLCPirozzoli, Mary Ellen
Ridgefield, CT203-438-6808
Speakers’ Corner
Looking for an AOLCP to speak at your next educational event?
The following AOLCPs are available to discuss organic land care practices with you and your group.
2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care60
Speakers’ Corner | Massachusetts through New Hampshire
Susan Quateman Landscape DesignQuateman, Susan
Wenham, MA978-468-7773
The Country GardenersMcCracken, Bridghe
Great Barrington, MA413-644-0155
The Herb Hill Microdairy Organics
McKain, Lucy Andover, MA978-475-7931
Turessa Botanicals Garden DesignPavone, DawnBoylston, MA508-869-6279
White Gardens Of RockportWhite, Mary Rockport, MA978-546-9513
New HampshireCoronis Landscape/ Business Consultants
Coronis, Laurence Wilton, NH603-721-9812
Pleasant Pond Landscaping, LLC
Tyler, John A. Bennington, NH
603-588-3800
T.W.I.G. Horticultural Consulting
Kovecses, Paula Weare, NH
603-491-9929
The Meandering PathBokat Stone, Suzanne
Exeter, NH603-686-2626
Nantucket Edible LandscapesBull, Kelly
Nantucket, MA770-361-3194
Osborne OrganicsOsborne, Chip
Marblehead, MA781-631-2468
Paradigm LandscapingCotter, Joe Quincy, MA617-472-7550
PJC & Company Ecological Land Care Inc.
Newcombe, Fred Rowley, MA978-432-1019
Portanova, Renee Somerville, MA631-357-2735
Rad Urban FarmersRadoslovich, Charlie
Arlington, MA781-258-4071
Risa Edelstein DesignsEdelstein, Risa Arlington, MA617-710-8157
Rose F Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Smarr, Tom Boston, MA617-292-0020
Sally Muspratt Landscape Design, Inc.
Muspratt, Sara West Roxbury, MA
617-327-2401
Sodbusters LandcareFuqua, Robert Weymouth, MA
781-335-1972
Bird House Organic Land CareCovell, AndrewWest Acton, MA
978-263-1628
Christie Dustman & CompanyDustman, Christie
Marini, Paul Roslindale, MA617-327-0330
Church Street GardeningJones, Randy
Gloucester, MA978-828-1468
Dig in It, Inc.Hinrichs, Peter W. Shrewsbury, MA
508-330-1193
Garden ExperienceSeifert, Jeff
Westford, MA978-692-0727
Green Arts Garden DesignGreen, Ruth
Monterey, MA413-528-5908
GreenHow, Inc.Greenhow, Sean
Newton, MA617-964-4733
Grove Hill GardensPeterson, Fran Andover, MA781-209-0972
Ida Wye DesignsWye, Ida
Georgetown, MA978-352-4403
Land EscapesSmith, Trevor Arlington, MA617-308-7063
Landscaping Concepts, Inc.Langille, Robert
Seekonk, MA508-336-7830
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 61
New Jersey through Vermont | Speakers’ Corner
Veracka, Michael Exeter, RI
401-385-9538
Wood River EvergreensCrandall, FrankHope Valley, RI401-364-3387
TennesseeClassic LawnsBender, Alan Memphis, TN901-340-8779
VermontMorgan, Paul
Middletown Springs, [email protected]
Golden Consulting LLCGoldenberg, Howard
Mattituck, NY631-298-2696
Kim’s Native Landscape Consulting
Eierman, KimberlyBronxville, NY914-779-9648
PennsylvaniaTrue Roots
Natural LandscapingVerin, Paco Media, PA
610-675-4830
Rhode IslandKure-Jensen, Sanne
Portsmouth, RI401-369-3303
New JerseyPlant Health Alternatives
Conroy, James J. Morris Plains, NJ
201-650-1231
New YorkCatskill Native Nursery
Dombrowski, Mike Kerhonkson, NY
845-626-2758
Dwight Brooks HorticulturalistBrooks, Dwight Katonal, NY914-232-0714
Eleanor HoffmanHoffman, Eleanor New Rochelle, NY
914-235-8670
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2011-12 NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care62
AAbbott, Susan W. , 44Acquario, Virginia, 49Adishian, Ani, 49 Alexander, Deborah, 45Allen, Monique, 45Almstead, Ken, 50Andrew, Russell B., 28Apicella, Peter, 33Aramayo, Alberto, 45Armstrong, Michael, 43Aronica, John, 50Arpino, Denise, 33Asaro, Jody, 40Asbury, Brianna, 42Aschettino, Michael, 43Atkins, Peter, 50Avery, Sue, 49
BBajana, Richard, 37Baker, Karen, 37Baker, Nancy, 25Bakley, JC, 36Baliko, Chris, 25Ballard, Daniel, 35Bandele, Gabriel, 35Baptista, Anne, 51Barber, Irene, 35Barry, Thomas, 28Bartley, T. Mark, 37Beaman, Bill, 34Bean, Laurel, 30Beard, Jim, 52Beebe, Christina, 30Bender, Alan, 52Bender, Ellen O., 35Benedict, David, 25Benoit, Sarah, 47Berman, Seth B., 43Bielecki, Cori, 44Bilow, Cathy, 35Bittner, Cecelia, 44Bociek, Bob, 25Bokat Stone, Suzanne, 47Bollard, Greg, 31Bombard, Greg, 49Booth Paolucci, Eliza, 31Booth, Nathaniel, 45Bottomley, Peter, 35Boyle, Pennie, 40Brach, Bob, 27Brague IV, William, 31Bringola, Susan, 41Brodeur, Carl, 38Brooks, Dwight, 50Brosseau, Richard, 35Brown, Dennis, 46Brown, Kristoffer J., 37Buchan, BilBucuk, Mike and Tom, 49
Dorso, Anthony, 33Dragon, Curtis, 39Driscoll, Heather, 52Dunn, Patricia, 27Duphily Cook, Jessica, 38Durack, Pamela, 36Durrant, Pamela, 46Dustman, Christie, 46
EEdelstein, Risa, 43Edsell-Vetter, Carolyn, 41Eggleton, David, 41Eichstedt, Emily, 33Eierman, Kimberly, 50Ekwurtzel, Steve, 30Estrada, Ubaldo, 50
FFeck Deeham, Cate, 52Fillios, Christus, 43Fischer, Laurie, 48Fochtman, Catherine, 43Forbes, Nancy, 43Ford, Chris, 46Forrester, Ellen, 46Forsander, Jeff, 49Fowler, Derek, 37Francisco, Juan, 41Franklin, Robin, 34Frickenhaus, Karen, 41Friel, John, 44Fujitani, Paul, 25Fuqua, Robert, 45
GGaillard, Ann, 50Gerbert, Jeffrey, 29Gianetti, Anthony, 46Giblin, Bernadette, 41Gibson, Steve, 44Gignac, Dennis, 43Gil, Javier, 39Goldenberg, Howard, 49Green, Ruth, 37Greenhow, Sean, 42Greiner, Ted, 34Griffin, Nell, 47Grigos, Nathan, 47Grivois, Kristin, 34Grogg, Kelly, 51
HHaendiges, Jeannine, 39Hageney, Daniel, 25Hajdek, Ana, 49Hall, Linda, 51Hallman, David, 34Halverson, Shirley, 52Hamm, Debra, 41Hannigan, Franny, 25Hansen, Ronald, 50Hansmann, Bob, 41Harragian, Cathy, 46Harrington, Todd, 30Hart, Chris, 27Hatton, Dave, 46Hazleton, Greg, 35Helems, Deresa D., 41Hellweg, Miriam, 41Hemingway, Katie, 44Hemingway, Monica, 28Hendry, Joene, 33
Bull, Kelly, 44Burgess, Ben, 40Burke, Kevin, 35Bussolini, Karen, 33Byrne, Barry, 44
CCalarco, Richard, 35Calderon, Adrian, 45Calkins, Peggy, 39Cantrell, Elizabeth, 51Carney-Feldman, Catherine, 40Carone, Arthur J., 29Carruthers, Ciaran, 25Cartier, Rich, 45Catalini, William, 40Cavilla, David, 48Cea, Steve, 50Chapman, Ted, 43Cheesman, Craig, 38Chicojay Chacon, 41Chisholm, Jonathan, 42Chomicz, Eva, 31Churns, Marcus, 44Cinamon-Whalen, Deb, 47Claffey, Debra, 47Clarke, Scott A., 42Clement, Matt, 51Coate, Jim, 52Coe, Natalie, 34Cohn, Lisa, 26Cole, Brian, 25Cole, Darrah, 39Connolly, Kathleen, 33Conroy, James J., 48Coppinger, John, 41Coronis, Laurence, 47Corra, Daniel, 27Corriveau, Clemence, 30Cortes Gumucio, Christian, 45Costa, Evangeline, 38Costa, Joanne, 49Cote, Adam, 35Cotter, Joe, 45Coutre, Jane, 43Covell, Andrew, 41Cowles, Esther, 47Cox, John, 33Cox, Kevin, 34Cox, Sara, 47Craft, Sara, 51Crandall, Frank, 52Cressman, Adam, 51Critchley, Jaime, 36Crouch, Benjamin, 41Cusack, Gary, 45
DD’Amico, Kevin, 30Daggett, Ph.D., Dave, 35Davern, John, 33Davidson, Steven, 49Davis, Bryce, 51Deehan, Jaime, 52Deignan, Robert, 49DeLuca, Peter, 50Dewey, Dan, 39DeWolfe, Nancy, 46DiClemente, Peter, 43DiZinno, Peter, 45Doherty, PJ, 43Dombrowski, Mike, 50Donnelly, Ryan, 35
Indexto the aolcp
listings
Hennessey, Michael, 47Henrey, Edward, Henrey, Melissa, 26Hermansdorfer, Christine, 44Hibbard, Diana, 36Hill, Paul, 34Hine, Sharon, 34Hinrichs, Peter W., 46Hobson, Jade, 25Hoffman, Dr. Frances, 34Hoffman, Eleanor, 50Holland, Katherine, 36Holland, Susan, 34Holmes, Lori, 41Hopkins McDonough, Suzanne, 43Howe, Jana, 47Hoy, Sari, 37Hsiang, Judith, 34Huk, Tim, 30
IImbriglio, Carmine, 47Ingersoll, Tom, 37Ingraham, Nanette, 37
JJardim, Avelar R., 45Jensen, Jeffrey, 50Johnson, Carl, 33Jones, Randy, 39Jordin, Julie, 44Joyce, Jarrod, 42Joyce, Kathleen, 45
KKalil, Cher, 46Kamen, Katherine, 26Kane, Maurine, 46Kane, Taylor, 34Katenkamp, Tim, 50Kearney, Angela, 42Kearns, Ron, 46Keeney, Michael, 41Keller, Greyson, 44Kelley, Laura, 37Kelly, Jamie, 36Kelly, Paul, 41Keneally, Rachel, 26Kennedy, MCLP, Robert, 37Kennen, Henry R., 46Kenny, Bill, 28Kijewski, Mike, 33Kimmel, Kristen, 41Kindl, Adam, 35Klein, Chapin, 44Knodel, David L., 39Kolakowski, Courtney, 34Koll, Frank, 42Korueva, Zhana, 44Kost-Gross, Heidi, 45Kovecses, Paula, 47Kowarick, Carlos, 31Krieg, Liz, 52Kruzshak, John, 25Kucik, Matt, 52Kuhn, Laura, 42Kure-Jensen, Sanne, 51
LLabbee, Rachel, 44Laboissonniere, Carol, 36Labriola, Lawrence, 50Lacouture, Kate, 51
Visit our new online searchable database of accredited professionals at: www.organiclandcare.net/aolcp-search 63
Melish, Diane, 25Mencel, Ken, 28Mendelsohn, Eric, 33Merone, Leonard A., 50Merrifield, Katie, 42Millar, Dana K., 51Miner, Marcie, 35Mintz, Mary, 40Mitchell, Betsy B., 50Mixsell, Anastasia, 33Mohr, Eric, 34Monahan, Robert, 43Morales, Clemente, 27Morgan, Paul, 52Moriarty, Ellen, 30Moriarty, Kevin, 34Mucci, Teresa, 30Muhlberg, Paul, 31Muir, Erin, 51Mullen, Terri, 42Mulligan, Martha, 45Mulry, Winslow, 39Munno, Dana, 49Munns, Alex, 48Murray, Dylan, 25Murray, Michael, 42Muspratt, Sara, 46
NNadeau, Michael, 27Naish, Sally, 42Nakov, Vesso, 44Napier, John, 30Narbonne, Shane Allen, 45Nelson, Craig, 37Newcombe, Fred, 39Nichols, Justin, 36Nicholson, Maureen, 35
OOdell, Ralph, 47Oldfield, Maggie, 45O’Regan, Tessa, 25Orlikoff, Ian, 35Osborne, Chip, 39Owles, Frances J., 33
PPaige, Darcy, 43Palatine, Julia, 41Papa, Mike, 25Parker, James, 29Parker, Jonathan, 34Pavone, Dawn, 47Peabody, Daniel, 39Peabody, Grace, 39Pecoraro, Victoria, 37Pegrum, Denise, 41Penrose, Coley C.J., 47 Peraner, Michael, 44Perkins, Jo, 44Peterson, Fran, 39Phelan, Finbarr, 37Philippi, Sarah, 33Phillips, Ned, 51Philos-Jensen, MCLP, Dan, 37Pierce, Kent, 25Pierdinock, Tina, 45Piper, Bruce, 40Pirozzoli, Mary Ellen, 28Piselli, Vincent, 27Polachi, Charles A., 44Portanova, Renee, 42
Lang, Robert, 39Langille, Robert, 38Lappala, Thomas, 31Lassor, Rich, 37Lattanzio, Nancy, 45LaValley, Sarah, 38Lee, Nicholas, 26Leftwich, Charles, 42 Leisher Coffin, Heather, 44Leonard, Les, 49Leonard, Patrick, 29Leone, Jessie, 37Liang, Mabel, 42Lidsky, Corinne, 41Lillie, Bill, 34Lillie, Linda, 34Lipson-Rubin, Judith, 42,Lipton, Rebecca F., 45Livensparger, Nancy L., 33Liversidge, Margaret, 43Lobdell, Matthew, 46Lomanto, Angela, 34Lorrain, Paul, 36LoVetere, Jenifer, 51Lowe, Elizabeth M., 42Lueders, Michael, 45Lunan, Norval, 33Lund, Gregory, 36Lundstrom, Christer, 29Lynch, Alyssa, 48Lynch, Jason, 51Lynch, John, 36Lyons, Catherine, 30
MMacPhee, Daniel, 34Maloney, John, 29Mancuso, Ed, 50Mangan, Laura, 42Mann, Sharon J., 29Marcell, Stacey, 27Mariano Walrath, Erin, 25Marini, Paul, 46Marsh, Susan, 43Marshall, CIC, Joseph, 37Martin, Tovah, 33Martins, Olga, 42Marty, Trisha, 52Masi, Nanette, 39Mastrobuoni, Todd, 48Mathews, Lindsey, 34Mattei, Lisa, 43Mauldin, Julia, 42Maunsell, Charleen, 39Mayor, Anna, 41Mazzeo, Alexandra, 26McCracken, Bridghe, 37McDermott, Scott, 28McGowan, Mary, 44McGuire, Mary Lou, 27McIntosh, James, 44McIntosh, Thomas, 27McIntyre, Scott, 31McKain, Lucy, 40McLaren, Nicholas, 50McLaughlin, Adaela, 39McLaughlin, Michael, 48McLaurin Eccles, Anne, 41McLoughlin, James, 26McManus, Bridget, 42McNelly, Daniel, 33McNelly, Patty, 33McNelly, Roger, 33Melevsky, David, 35
Hennessey, Michael, 47Henrey, Edward, Henrey, Melissa, 26Hermansdorfer, Christine, 44Hibbard, Diana, 36Hill, Paul, 34Hine, Sharon, 34Hinrichs, Peter W., 46Hobson, Jade, 25Hoffman, Dr. Frances, 34Hoffman, Eleanor, 50Holland, Katherine, 36Holland, Susan, 34Holmes, Lori, 41Hopkins McDonough, Suzanne, 43Howe, Jana, 47Hoy, Sari, 37Hsiang, Judith, 34Huk, Tim, 30
IImbriglio, Carmine, 47Ingersoll, Tom, 37Ingraham, Nanette, 37
JJardim, Avelar R., 45Jensen, Jeffrey, 50Johnson, Carl, 33Jones, Randy, 39Jordin, Julie, 44Joyce, Jarrod, 42Joyce, Kathleen, 45
KKalil, Cher, 46Kamen, Katherine, 26Kane, Maurine, 46Kane, Taylor, 34Katenkamp, Tim, 50Kearney, Angela, 42Kearns, Ron, 46Keeney, Michael, 41Keller, Greyson, 44Kelley, Laura, 37Kelly, Jamie, 36Kelly, Paul, 41Keneally, Rachel, 26Kennedy, MCLP, Robert, 37Kennen, Henry R., 46Kenny, Bill, 28Kijewski, Mike, 33Kimmel, Kristen, 41Kindl, Adam, 35Klein, Chapin, 44Knodel, David L., 39Kolakowski, Courtney, 34Koll, Frank, 42Korueva, Zhana, 44Kost-Gross, Heidi, 45Kovecses, Paula, 47Kowarick, Carlos, 31Krieg, Liz, 52Kruzshak, John, 25Kucik, Matt, 52Kuhn, Laura, 42Kure-Jensen, Sanne, 51
LLabbee, Rachel, 44Laboissonniere, Carol, 36Labriola, Lawrence, 50Lacouture, Kate, 51
Thode, Mike, 49Throckmorton, Kate, 25Timpa, Judy, 43Tompkins, Aiken, 50Tremblay, Daniel L., 47Tripp, Jay, 40Trottier, Jonathan, 26Tunsley, Kathy, 37Turmel, Wade, 36Tycz, John, 35Tyler, John A., 47
UUgelow, Linda, 44Uppington, Ann, 40Uyterhoeven, Sonia, 49
VVan Lieu, Sarah, 44Vanderspek, Corinna, 42Vazquez, Dan, 48Veazey, Mike, 47Veracka, Michael, 51Verin, Paco, 51Villa, Jude, 38Vitiello, Marco, 25Vollmuth, Jill, 45
WWaeschle, Jeff, 50Wagner, Barbara, 33Wagner, Denis, 46Wales, Ted, 45Ward, Andrew, 28Warner, Gwyn, 31Weaver, Catherine, 51Weik, Deborah, 33Weinstein, Mobee, 49Weiser, Jeffrey, 37Wellers, Molly, 28Wells-Kay, Ginger, 47Wengernuk, Kevin, 37Wertheimer, Sheila, 34White, James R., 34White, Mary, 40White, Stephanie, 43Whittleton, Vonne, 28Wiers, Tina, 49Wiesmore, Timothy, 49Wildermann, Asa, 34Williams, Priscilla, 43Willson, Laura, 38Wilson, Sandra, 28Winston, David, 28Wolak, Anne, 33Wollmering, Rita, 40Wood, Julie, 44Worden, Camilla, 25Wye, Ida, 39
YYaeger, Barbara A., 33Young, Candace, 43Yuckienuz, Jeanne, 29
ZZanardi, Solvey, 43Zbuska, Cathy, 31Zhigailo, Marti, 30Zimmerman, Catherine, 37Zuidema, Abby, 39
Pote, Tom, 48Potter, Marianne, 51Pradhan, Alnasir, 31Preston, Judy, 33Pritchard, Dawn, 51
QQuateman, Susan, 40Queipo, Scott, 45Quimby, Cheryl, 39
RRadoslovich, Charlie, 43Raffa, Michael, 48Read, B. G., 38Reardon, Brian, 31Reed, Petie, 34Richards, Matthew, 41Rico, Denise, 47Roberts, Deborah, 29Roman, Ivan, 49Roper, Frank, 40Ross, Andi, 39Ross, Diana, 34Ross, Sandy, 48Ruggiero, Anthony, 46Rulli, Donald DJ, 29
SSalvatore, Joe, 50Sanders, David, 25Sandy, Bettylou, 29Saunders, Chris, 38Sauriol, Richard, 39Scarinci, David, 48Schiro, Joseph, 26Schmidt, Peter, 50Schurm, Eric, 44Schwartz Sax, Miles, 45Seaborg, Jimmy, 44Seifert, Jeff, 42Severance, Christopher, 45Seydell, Kenton, 48Shafner, Joe, 46Shaine, Susan, 43Shea, Tim, 31Sherwood, Rue, 40Sherzi Jr., Charles D., 39Shillaber, Stuart, 46Siano, Michael, 26Silva, Marlene, 43Sirchio, Beth, 50Smarr, Tom, 46Smith, Dori, 42Smith, Marcia, 50Smith, Michael, 41Smith, Trevor, 42Smyers, Wilford, 27St. Cyr, Alma, 34Stafford, Russell, 46Stagen, Loretta, 33Stahlbush Tolley, Lois, 33Stanton, Heather, 40Stokes, Chris, 37Sullivan, Kelley Andrew, 43Sutherland, Karen, 45Sweeney, Jenna, 46Swift, Peter, 40Swift, Walter 47
TTalbot, Susan, 39Taubert, Sharon Lovely, 46
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