HARBOR FRIENDLY YARD Save Our Harbor, Our Yard, and Ourselves Getting Started Convert to non-toxic, environmentally safe lawn and garden products or services (see reverse). Use fertilizers with no more than 50% Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN). Water insoluble fertilizers release nitrogen slowly over extended periods of time so they are less likely to leach into the ground water or run off into harbors. These fertilizers are often marked “slow release” products.   Set mowers at 3inches and leave clippings on the lawn, as they are 85% water and 15% nitrogen and return nutrients and water to the soil. A Mulching Mower cuts for quicker decomposition. Try not to water, but if you must, before 9 AM is best. An inch of water a week is ample - slow, deep watering develops hearty roots versus frequent light watering that encourages less healthy ones. Don't water if the day is cloudy because it may not evaporate completely and cause fungus. Do not use products that are labeled “Weed and Feed” as they can kill beneficial insects. Use organic fertilizers and use pesticides only as a last resort.  Buy distilled white vinegar in the 1-1/3 gallon size and spray undiluted to kill unwanted weeds or grass in driveways and terraces. Organic products such as animal manures, cottonseed, bone meal, corn gluten, lime, and seaweed break down more slowly and can be found at: Stonington Feed  - Stonington Flemings Feed and Hardware - Stonington True Value Home Centers - Mystic Holdridge Farm Nursery - Ledyard McQuade's Ace Hardware - Westerly If you would like to join us in this effort, call and we will deliver a 4 x 4 inch, CUSH Harbor Friendly Lawn marker, or come to the Stonington Farmer's Market in May-June to sign up.  We hope you will “plant” these lawn markers in a visible place on your property to show your support.  When these “sprout up” all over town, others may be inspired to join too, and we'll know we're making progress.   Thank you!      To reduce levels of nitrogen and chemicals in our harbors, CUSH is launching a Harbor Friendly Yard campaign.  If you would like to join us in taking this major step, here is how: Harbor Friendly Yard Approved Products* If you want a specific product, please telephone the retail outlet to make sure which ones they carry. Bradfield Organics Vegetable Fertilizer Cockadoodle Doo Jonathon Green Organics Lawn Jonathon Green Weed Control & Fertilizer Luscious Lawns & Gardens Organica Lawn Booster (Spring and Fall) Organica Kelp Booster (May/June) Organica Microbial Soil Conditions (July/Aug) Organica Plant Booster (Note re Organica K& Neem insecticide.  All Neem is toxic to marine life; do not use near water.) Scott Organic Choice Lawn Food *Any product with nitrogen, including organic sources, should not be applied within 20-100 feet of a harbor or feeder streams. Northeastern Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) Accredited Lawn Care Services Frank Crandall, Wood River Evergreens, Hope Valley, RI (401) 364-3387, fcrandall@woodriverevergreens.com David Jones, Saferyardcare.com/Bio Tech Pest Control, 42 Canal St., Westerly, RI (401) 315-2400, service@biotechpestcontrols.com Dana K. Millar, Dana Designs, West Kingston, RI (401) 486-0495, dkmillar@cox.net Deanna VanLent, DVL Landscaping Architecture LTD, Block Island, RI (401) 466-2081, DVLLandscape@aol.com Paul Muhlberg, TruGreen Lawncare, Rocky Hill, CT (860) 563-5200, paulmuhlberg@trugreenmail.com John Tycz, Go Organic LLC, Thompson, CT (860) 935-5235, agreenthumb@sbcglobal.net Laurie Waite, Laurel Garden Design, Sterling, CT (860) 564-1260, laurelmarketing@ct.metrocast.net Matthew Carroll, Jessica's Garden, Marlborough, CT (860) 295-1685, jessica@jessicasgarden.net Jayne Dunn, Ultimate Services Professional Grounds Management, Inc., Wolcott, CT (203) 879-4201