Archive for the ‘lawn’ Category

Win Free Entry to See A Chemical Reaction Screening in Seattle and Meet Paul Tukey

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

This giveaway is now closed. However tickets are still available. Details here.

Today I’m offering a free pass to see award-winning documentary film, A Chemical Reaction, later this month is the Seattle area. Want to know more about the film itself or about the film event with keynote speaker Paul Tukey? Go here.

Already know about the film and just want to win a pass to the show? Here’s how:

  • In the comments area of this post, enter your favorite lawn story. It can be a story of why you love lawns, why you dislike lawns, how you’ve changed your lawn, how you’ve gotten sick from lawn care programs, or anything lawn. Have fun with it!
  • Do not try to submit an entry through Facebook, Twitter, email, contact forms or other methods. This will just make me grumpy and definitely won’t get you a free pass to the film.
  • Entries must be submitted by Friday, February 12, 2010 at 5pm pst to qualify.
  • Be sure to include contact information in case you win. Twitter handle is ideal, if possible, as winner will be announced on Twitter.
  • Tickets or other forms of entry passes will be provided at will-call.
  • I will perform a completely subjective form of judging to determine the winner, so strive to be entertaining!
  • I will select and announce the winner via @gardenmentor on Twitter on Monday, February 15, 2010, so be sure to start following us there to find out if you’ve won. And, please retweet this event to spread the word about this important film event!

(Garden Mentors is a member of COOL, the group sponsoring this event. And, Garden Mentors is a funding sponsor of the event itself. However, Garden Mentors is receiving no compensation for this event or for giving away this ticket. This free opportunity to see the film is just that and there is no cash value, trade-in option, or any other options attached. And, nothing else comes with this pass to see the film; you’ll have to find your way there yourself…even if you have to ride in on your lawnmower.

If you’re not in Seattle, check safelawns.org for screenings of this film in your area; Garden Mentors is not giving away tickets to any other screenings, however. )


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Paul Tukey to Host a Special Screening of A Chemical Reaction in Seattle Area

Monday, February 8th, 2010

We hear a lot about lawns these days. I’ve reported on initiatives in Washington to remove phosphorus from lawn fertilizers. I’ve shared information suggesting that lawns may actually adding to global warming. And, of course, I’ve also offered ways to remove your lawn with minimal effort. Today, I’m excited to report that Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual and founder of Safelawns.org will be coming to the Seattle area later this month for a COOL-sponsored airing of his documentary film, A Chemical Reaction.

The trailer follows. After watching it, read on for event location and ticket purchase details.


A Chemical Reaction provides an insightful and scientific look at the various concerns mounting around lawn chemicals. It follows the studies and Supreme Court case that eventually lead to the banning of various lawn pesticides and herbicides in one town, then several municipalities and eventually the entire Provence of Quebec. (Updated Feb. 8, 2010: And, this just in: weed ‘n feed fertilizers have just been banned throughout all of Canada! Read more here.)

Paul Tukey, keynote speaker for this special event,  is uniquely qualified to speak on the subject of lawns and lawn chemical reactions. Not only has he cared for lawns for many years, but he himself succumbed to lawn chemical toxins and became seriously ill. This lead him to become an outspoken advocate for alternative lawn care programs.

Please join us later this month at Lake Washington Technical College where you will have an opportunity to meet Paul, enjoy a screening of his film,and meet with local industry to learn and discuss more with local industry professionals on this subject. All proceeds from this event will benefit safelawns.org.

When: Saturday, February, 20, 2010 from 2pm-6pm

Where: Lake Washington Technical College Auditorium in Kirkland, WA (directions here)

Tickets: $10 in advance via brownpapertickets.com here; $15 at the door

(Garden Mentors inc is a member of COOL, the group sponsoring this event, and Garden Mentors has donated sponsorship funds for this event. However, Garden Mentors has received no compensation to promote this event, film, book or any other related information.)

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Are Lawns Adding to Global Warming?

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

From the pro-lawn camp, I often hear the argument that lawns are good for the environment because they help remove Carbon Dioxide from the environment.

Thyme is a lovely, dog-friendly lawn alternative

Thyme is a lovely, dog-friendly lawn alternative

That they remove it may be true, but as I read today, it may turn out that the input costs in maintaining a lawn (or even worse, a turfgrass space) may actually cost the environment more than it gives back. And, really, there are other options to the traditional, water-hog, nutrient hog swath of grassy greenness that so many of us picture as an irreplaceable part of the American landscape.

I encourage you to take a moment to consider what your input of traditional lawn fertilizer might do this spring — or any other time. Perhaps this year you’ll choose to remove the lawn altogether, seed with eco-turf mixes that self-feed your meadow-like lawn or opt for truly natural, organic methods for keeping your lawn healthy. Remember, the cost of that cheap bag of weed ‘n feed type turf builder that seems to make your lawn so perfect so easily is quite likely much higher than you think when you check out at the store.

Read more about maintaining your safe lawn here.

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Posted in lawn | 7 Comments »