Child's Play Organic Lawns organic fertilizers and lawn care programs. Natural, non-toxic lawn products. Organic lawncare is fertilization and proper maintenance techniques to minimize weeds, fungus, and grubs. Natural, organic lawn care is safe for kids and pets. Organic fertilizers protect our environment and are sustainable.

Child's Play Organic Lawns services South Bend, Elkhart, Granger and Mishawaka, Indiana. We also work in Southwest Michigan. We specialize in organic fertilizers and lawn care programs. Organic lawns are maintained using natural, non-toxic lawn products wherever possible. Organic lawncare emphasizes fertilization and proper maintenance techniques to minimize weeds, fungus, and insect damage. Natural, organic lawn care leads to a yard that is safe for kids and pets. Organic fertilizers help protect our environment and promote ecological sustainability.

12871 Industrial Park Drive, #16 • Granger, IN 46530 • 574.277.LAWN

Office hours: M-F 8-5, Weekends by appointment. Voice mail is checked routinely.
Please call ahead if you want to pick up products.

Why Organic Fertilizers Are Better Than Chemicals

Synthetic chemical fertilizers are actually detrimental to grass in the long run. Rapid growth spurts force the grass to burn up energy reserves instead of saving them for summer. Chemical fertilizers stay near the soil surface, which encourages the roots to grow shallow. As they dry out and die, thatch builds up. Ultimately the soil becomes sterile and void of beneficial microbes, bacteria and earthworms. With no natural source of nutrients, and too thin to compete with weeds, the grass becomes chemically dependent, and pesticide use is felt to be necessary for pest control. (For a primer on how grass grows, follow this link.)

Child's Play:

Chemicals:

Very slow release of nitrogen, potash and potassium promotes long term, even growth. Last 2 to 3 times longer than chemicals.

Quick release of nitrogen, potash and potassium promotes uneven and unhealthy growth spurts.

Through breakdown of protein by microbes and bacteria, nutrients are released into the soil first, which promotes healthy root mass and development.

Nutrients are released to root and used immediately. Roots stay thin and shallow, resulting in thin, weak blade development.

Increased microbial and bacterial activity in the soil promotes breakdown of thatch, which reduces disease and promotes new growth.

Soil becomes sterile and devoid of organic matter. Thatch builds up over time, stifling new growth and creating a haven for disease and pests.

Products break down completely, leaving no residual chemicals or toxins. Not only is yard safe for immediate contact, no special protective clothing or gear is necessary for personal safety!

Carrier agents and dilutants often contain dangerous and harmful chemicals. Unnecessary and indiscriminate use of pesticides creates an unsafe and unhealthy environment.

Dense root mass and thick, healthy blade development resist and recovers from pests and disease.

Weak root mass and thin blade development allow pests and disease to flourish in times of stress.

The chart below highlights a few of the differences between
organic and chemical lawn care.

Concern	Child's Play Organic Lawns	Chemical Lawn Companies
Fertilizing	Food-grade ingredients Nutrients are slowly released & non-burning Promotes breakdown of thatch Very low salt content Promotes high soil microorganism population Lasts for months	Quick release chemicals Easily burns lawns Promotes excessive thatch High chemical salt content Tends to sterilize soil Gone after 30 days
Crabgrass	Safe, natural pre-emergent herbicide.	Dangerous synthetic pre-emergent herbicide.
Broadleaf weeds: Clover Dandelions Chickweed Hensbit Creeping Charlie Wild Violets Etc.	There is NO organic equivalent to selective chemical herbicides that kill weeds without killing turf-grass. Broadleaf weeds are controlled through changes in cultural practices such as mowing high, deep & infrequent watering, overseeding, and correcting soil imbalances. Other ways to address broad leaf weeds on a case-by-case basis include: Manual weeding Spot treating with salt or vinegar Heat applications	Dangerous synthetic post-emergent herbicide such as: 2,4-D (ingredient in Agent Orange) Dicamba MCPP MCPA
Grubs and other soil born larvae	Safe and natural biological control using parasitic nematodes.	Dangerous synthetic insecticides, such as Diazinon and Merit.
Lawn Funguses	Natural based fungicides approved by OMRI for the organic food industry.	Dangerous synthetic fungicides.
Crawling Insects	Natural diatomaceous earth with or without pyrethrum	Dangerous synthetic insecticides.
Thatch	Long term, thatch will naturally breakdown as the soil born micro-organism population increases. Short term, mechanically power raking to remove thatch buildup.	Long term, thatch builds up quickly due to quick release chemical fertilizers. Short term, thatch must be mechanically power raked frequently.