[SLI-public] Sustainable Landscaping

[Hazel Onsrud]

We've also embraced native plants and gardens, but we do have some "grass" areas (great for badminton courts and other games) that work with mostly white dutch clover.

If grubs are your primary problem in these areas once you shrink them there are some solutions to that specifically too. Fedco seeds has suggestions and Id trust that crew to give you some nuanced answers.

We also have embraced no till ag tools that we use ourselves and lend to the community with our library of things.

Best of luck. You can solve this! :)

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From: SLI-Public <sli-public-bounces at lists.suffolknet.org> on behalf of Porta, Micaela via SLI-Public <sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 4:11:45 PM
To: Lisa Laico - WAR <llaico at rcls.org>; sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org <sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org>
Subject: Re: [SLI-public] Sustainable Landscaping


FWIW, we’ve found that success with chemical-free lawncare comes less from inputs and more from good cultural practices—which means labor. Plenty of aeration and overseeding, proper mowing and watering (most mow too low and scalp lawn, which leads to disease and infestation), right mix of resilient grass seed . . . It is totally possible to do, just have to find land care experts who really commit to following through on it.



Micaela Porta (she/her)

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Coordinator

New Canaan Library

151 Main Street

New Canaan, CT 06840

New Canaan Library<Newcanaanlibrary.org>

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I work flexibly and email at variable hours. Feel free to respond during your normal working hours.



From: SLI-Public <sli-public-bounces at lists.suffolknet.org> On Behalf Of Lisa Laico - WAR via SLI-Public
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 3:58 PM
To: sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org
Subject: [SLI-public] Sustainable Landscaping



Hello, everyone -



Crowd-sourcing this question.  Our library is fortunate enough to be situated on a couple of acres of property, with rather extensive lawns.  For three years, we did not treat the lawns with any kinds of fertilizers, herbicides, etc.  It was an environmentally-minded choice.  The result after 3 years was that the grass was decimated - huge patches of mud and weeds caused by a grub infestation.  It was really unattractive and as a practical matter, not something you'd want to have a picnic on, or even stroll around.  So we resumed treatment and after 2 seasons, the lawn is back.  However,  patrons are beginning to complain.  One advanced the theory that peppermint oil is the cure for all our lawn problems.  I'm not so sure.



The State DEC has provided me with a list of "reduced-risk" pesticides, such as microbial treatments, bio-pesticides and horticultural oils, but explicitly declined to comment on their efficacy.  They also provided the EPA's list of more conventional reduced-risk pesticides.



Our pest control company does have some organic treatments but says they are not for commercial applications and that we would not be happy with the results.



So:  if your library has extensive lawn and you've encountered the same issue -- balancing aesthetics against the concern about safety and impact on ground water, etc. -- what solutions have you found effective?  I would love any feedback from anyone who's successfully navigated this.  Thank you!



Lisa



Lisa Laico, Director

Albert Wisner Public Library<https://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org>

1 McFarland Drive

Warwick, NY   10990

845.986.1047, ext. 102

AWPL Sustainability Team [cid:image002.png at 01D9D513.581E0E80]



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