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Organic Lawn Care - Organic, non-toxic, food grade lawn care products. Safe for children, pets and the environment.

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.

What is this going to be like?

To get an idea of how good an organically maintained lawn can look, see our testimonials page.

We're often asked for references and referrals, which we are happy to provide. However, a July 2007 article by a Wall Street Journal reporter does a phenomenal job of chronicaling the ups and downs, ins and outs, and must-do's of organic lawn care. She tells the story better than we ever could, and it's 100% on par with our own experiences. Follow this link to downlaod the article...

What can customers expect from
Child’s Play Organic Lawns?

We are dedicated to providing you with the healthiest, best looking lawn possible, using products that are safe and effective wherever possible, within the budget provided. Our promise is to provide:

  • Natural, organic products that are safe for children, pets and are environment.
  • Professional, courteous service that is responsive to your needs.
  • A knowledgeable staff that can accurately assess problem areas and develop solutions.
  • Treatment of your lawn as if it were ours. We will suggest services and products based upon what we would do if it were our own personal lawn. We will NOT suggest services or products that we don't genuinely feel you need.
  • Management of pests safely, including weeds, grubs, lawn diseases, and more by cultivating a healthy, dense stand of turf that crowds out weeds and resists pressure from pests.

What do I have to do?

Organic lawncare is a combination of practices that are proven to be the best way to take care of a lawn.
For this to work, customers must:

  1. Mow the grass frequently and to a height of 3 inches or more, removing no more than one-third of the blade.
  2. Water deeply and infrequently.
  3. Repair or have us repair thin/bare areas by overseeding.

This is a partnership. Without your help it will be difficult for us to meet your expectations. Call us as soon as you notice problems or symptoms of a problem with your lawn, even if you don't know what the problem is. The sooner we know about it the sooner we can recommend a course of action. Further, we stress our customers should:

  • Realize adopting organic lawn care will not create a 100% weed free lawn, but will safely lead to good curb appeal.
  • Understand there is no safe, natural, selective product that will kill weeds and leave grass unharmed. Because our regular products are non-toxic, they do not kill weeds which have already grown.
  • Be patient and understand it takes a few seasons to change a yard over to organic care, especially if it has been maintained chemically.
  • Embrace and practice integrated pest management, which does not mandate the complete removal of pests, and may mean some weeds will grow in the yard.
  • Realize organic lawn care is initially more expensive than chemical lawn care, but eliminating pesticides leads to cost savings and reduced risk of health problems over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cost and Expectation Questions

Pest Control Questions

Product and Performance Questions

Health Related Questions

Question: When do you apply your products?

Answer:

Each program has its own unique schedule. Generally speaking, 6 step programs get monthly spring and monthly fall treatments. 5 step programs get 2 spring treatments and 3 fall treatments. 4 step programs are spaced evenly across the year. For specific dates, see our application schedule, or download an application schedule in PDF format.

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Question: How much does the average yard cost to treat?

Answer:

Organic fertilizers are more expensive to manufacture and bulkier to work with, which pushes the price of organic lawn care up in general.

We base the cost of our services upon the square footage of the area to be treated. The average yard we treat is about 10,000 square feet.

On a dollar per dollar comparison of individual treatments, organic lawn care will be anywhere from 20% to 40% more expensive than chemical lawn care. The per-treatment cost is offset by several factors:

  • Our fertilizers last 2-3 times longer than chemical fertilizers. That means we typically come out less frequently than chemical companies, which tends to average the seasonal total.
  • We do not push fungicide/pesticide treatments on customers, again leveling the seasonal average.
  • When the grass reaches optimum health it resists/recovers from pests and minor diseases naturally. Corrective applications, like turf replacement, become less necessary and costly.
  • The likelihood of medical services, such as asthma inhalers, allergy medications, vet bills, behavioral disorders, and nervous system damage are reduced and/or eliminated.

We are happy to do a FREE lawn evaluation to measure your yard and provide an accurate estimate.

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Question: Where did you get the idea for organic lawn care?

Answer:

Child’s Play Organic Lawns was started in February of 2001, but the idea for Child’s Play was spawned more than 16 years earlier. Lori Fritts (co-owner with her husband Craig) was poisoned in 1984 by pesticides that were regularly used in Craig and Lori’s apartment for bugs. Ever since that time Lori has been unable to tolerate any exposure to synthetic pesticides. Even small amounts cause symptoms similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis, which has forced them to live in areas that are not susceptible to pesticide use. This eliminated their ability to live in close knit neighborhoods, areas near golf courses, and areas around farms. The name “Child’s Play Organic Lawns” came from their desire to create a beautiful outdoor environment that was safe for their children and pets, and environmentally responsible.

In 2005, Brian came on board as General Manager. The year prior he was like most homeowners: he dutifully applied chemical 4 step programs (with complete disregard for the safety label) and used diazinon and malathion for insect control. One day, after saturating the yard, he heard a yelp and turned to see his dog in what appeared to be epileptic seizures. After 30 minutes of spasms, he realized the dog had been poisoned by the neurotoxicants he just applied.

So you see, when you work with Child’s Play, you’re working with people who have been negatively affected by lawn pesticides. To us, it’s personal.

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Question: What does Organic Treatment do for my Lawn that is better than chemicals?

Answer:

  • Uses slow release nitrogen instead of a quick release nitrogen. This promotes thick root growth, and disease and drought resistance by balancing leaf and root development – MUCH healthier lawn that will control weeds naturally!
  • Naturally breaks down the thatch layer
  • Lawn stays greener longer – fewer treatments required.
  • Will not “burn out” your grass.
  • Increases Microorganism (organic matter) content of the soil.
  • Increases natural soil aeration

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Question: Why do your granular fertilizers last so long?

 Answer:

The lawn nutrients are built into the proteins of the fertilizer ingredients. The nutrients are released slowly as the beneficial bacteria and microbes in the soil break down these proteins.

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 Question: How do you achieve weed control?

 Answer:

Our spring fertilizer uses corn gluten meal, which has a natural pre-emergent characteristic.

Post-emergent weed control (weeds that are already existing): There are a variety of methods available to control weeds that already exist. Dandelions are easily controlled with salt, vinegar (will kill grass also, so be careful!), and proper manual picking. Did you know that 9 out of 10 properly picked dandelions will not come back?

There is nothing currently in the organic industry that can be applied to a yard that will kill weeds and leave the grass unharmed. Weed development is often the result of poor lawn management. When turf grass is the dominant, thriving form of plant life it is more competitive for nutrients, space, sunlight and water. It shades the soil surface, which prevents new weeds from germinating and fills in thin, bare areas where weeds could start. A properly maintained yard will choke out weeds and eliminate the perceived need to apply toxic pesticides. Child’s Play lawn care programs and services are designed to naturally grow turf grass tall and healthy with deep, thick roots.

The toughest weeds to control using natural products are the creeping, vine type weeds such as Creeping Charlie, Ground Ivy, and Wild Violets. In most cases these can be killed using natural non-selective (kills all vegetation) weed killers such as ammoniated fatty-acid, sold under a variety of names. This would be considered a “natural” alternative to products like Roundup®.

Through a program of regular fertilization and periodic aeration and overseeding, good weed control can be achieved over the course of 2 to 3 seasons. Ultimately, if a weed is intolerable and cannot be controlled in any other fashion, we will spot treat it with traditional products at the request of the customer.

See our discussion on weed control.

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Question: How do I control grubs without using chemicals?

Answer: Please see our grub page.

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Question: How do pesticides and chemicals enter our bodies?

Answer:

Chemicals and Pesticides become airborne when sprayed on lawns, and can be inhaled into our lungs. Being inside your home doesn't help much. Think about this: A chemical spill can occur in India, and 7 days later that same chemical can be detected INSIDE houses in Florida!

Ingested into the digestive system. Small children playing in the yard will put stuff into their mouths, and dogs are constantly licking their paws.

Absorbed through the skin. Consider how many people stop smoking using a dermal patch of nicotine. The nicotine is easily absorbed by the skin and into the blood stream. The same thing can occur with lawn chemicals and pesticides.

See our discussion on pesticide handling.

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Question: What are some of the health and environmental problems chemical pesticides and fertilizers can cause?

Answer:

A complete review of pesticide issues can be found in this document.
A primer on pesticides can be found here.

  • With our sandy soil in this part of the country, chemicals can quite easily leach through the soil to under ground water table.
  • Can runoff into nearby streams, ponds, and lakes
  • Will find conduits to your well
  • The Journal of National Cancer Institute reported in 1991 that with only one application of a chemical lawn treatment, dogs had a 130 percent increase risk of lymphoma (cancer).
  • When lawn chemicals are used there is a 300-650 percent increased risk of leukemia in children (University of California)
  • A 1989 Study by the U.S. Geological Survey reported that 90% of streams tested in 10 Midwestern states had measurable levels of pesticides after the first Spring agricultural application
  • Fifteen pesticides have been detected in Michigan's groundwater
  • EPA ratings of pesticides only account for acute (immediate) effects of the chemical.  The ratings do not take into account the long term health effects of the pesticides

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Question: Are your weed control products registered with the EPA?

 Answer:

The weed control products are of such a low threat to anything that they are exempt from EPA registration under the FIFRA act section 25(b).

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Question: How do I deal with weeds that are in the yard now?

Answer:

We have several solutions for removing existing weeds. Specialized tools like the Weed Hound are designed to pull weeds such as dandelions and plantain. Vinegar mixed with dish soap is a natural non-selective herbicide. Annual weeds, like purslane, crabgrass, and knotweed, will die off in the winter. Ultimately, if an area has more than 50% weeds, it may need to be rototilled, raked and reseeded. See our discussion on weed control.

A lawn that is in "tough shape" should have its soil corrected and routine fertilization. It should be aerated and overseeded, and after a full season has passed it should be reevaluated for spot treatment.

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Question: I'm using chemicals now. What can I expect in my first year?

Answer:

The first year is transitional. Typically a chemically treated yard has sterile soil, thin roots and marginal blade development. Since our products depend upon microbes and bacteria to release the nutrients, it takes some time for them to start working. Indiscriminate, routine use of post emergent herbicides has prevented and/or killed most weeds. However, at any given time, there are billions of weed seeds waiting for the right opportunity to sprout. Our products introduce a new level of nutrients to the soil and do not contain the toxins that kill weeds. As the grass is not yet fully competitive, some new weeds get the opportunity to grow. It is in the second season, when the grass has regained its vitality, that it becomes competitive and prevents weed development. Along the way you should notice a deeper green and accelerated growth rate.

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Question: How long do I have to wait before I can use the lawn after an application?

Answer:

You don't! That's one of the best reasons to use Child’s Play. Our products use no toxins or unsafe chemicals. You can feel safe about playing or walking on the yard immediately after an application. We do ask that you water them in thoroughly to get the most bang for your fertilizer buck. Our Liquid Gold™, while completely safe, is a little sticky. Dogs may track it into the house, so you should water it in prior to turning Fido loose.

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Question: Why do you fertilize so late into the season? The yard looks fine.

Answer:

Fall is the most critical time to fertilize. The grass is building up root mass (storing energy) to survive the winter and create new blades in the spring. As long as there is no snow, and the ground isn't frozen, the grass is growing (even if it is growing down, not up). Heavy fertilization in the fall ensures survival the following summer, even though the lawn looks like it doesn't need it.