What is “ORGANIC”?

  In chemistry, any molecule that contains a carbon atom is considered organic. Earth Groomers uses a different meaning of organic, simular to the meaning used by organic farmers. By organic, Earth Groomers means that no synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or other synthetic soil amendments will be used and that organic land care practices will take into account the local ecosystem, benefiting the whole web of life.

What is ORGANIC LAND CARE?

 While there are federal regulations defining standards for organic farming, there are no legal definitions or standards for organic land care. Land care or landscaping consists of many different elements. Lawns, gardens, specimen trees, shrubs and natural areas are all landscaping. Land care also includes different activities such as installing new plants, maintaining existing ones, and removing diseased, dying or undesirable plants. The NOFA Organic Land Care Committee has taken the same stringent principles and standards that govern organic food production and applied them to the entire landscape, creating the Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes (2001). A primary principle of organic land care is to DO NO HARM. Another principle is to grow the RIGHT PLANT IN THE RIGHT PLACE. Plant health depends on the plant growing in healthy soil appropriate to its needs. Following these principles protects and enhances natural ecosystems while substantially reducing the need for inputs such as fertilizer, pest controls and labor.

 Beware of misleading “organic” or “all natural” claims

  If you use a professional lawn, garden or tree service, always ask what materials are being applied and why they need to be used. If you do not want synthetic chemicals used on your property, tell your service provider and have it written into your contract. Some companies may claim to be organic but still use materials that are harmful to your health and the environment. Because there is no legal definition for organic land care, some companies may use synthetic pesticides to “get your problems under control”, then go to an “organic” program until the problem returns. Also, some companies use sewage sludge as an “organic” fertilizer because it is cheap and readily available, even though its use is forbidden by organic farming standards.

What can I expect if I use an Organic Land Care Professional accredited by NOFA?

 Working to create an organic landscape requires a mutual commitment and understanding between property owners and the Organic Land Care Professional. Your Organic Land Care Professional will evaluate your property to determine what services will be required and will ask you to sign an agreement indicating that you understand the aims of organic land care. He or she can advise you on the best way to create a beautiful landscape that suits the needs of your site and your family and is also ecologically sound. You may choose to display a NOFA Organic Land Care sign to proudly announce to your visitors and neighbors that your property is free of synthetic chemicals and safe for pets, children and the environment. There may be occasions when you and your Organic Land Care Professional will decide to use extraordinary measures that are prohibited under the CT-Mass NOFA Standards. One example might be to save the life of a tree of great value from a pest not adequately controlled using organic methods. When this must occur, you will both sign a form indicating your mutual understanding of this use of non-organic methods. These “Emergency Non-Organic Rescue Treatments” should be rare and only undertaken as a last resort.