I scoff at poison ivy, or bee stings, or the other associated scratches and itches that come from a life outdoors. It’s part of it. And worth it.

But Lyme Disease has struck fear into many of us living in the Northeast and, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m in that club. As someone who has practically preached the benefits of an outdoor lifestyle through gardening and playing on the lawn for the past quarter century, it’s certainly disconcerting to think that we now have to worry about something that can make us really, really sick every time we roll around in the lawn.

As I put in my dutiful three-hour Mother’s Day session in the veggie garden yesterday, I pulled five ticks off myself. I was content in the knowledge that if I could actually see the ticks with my 51-year-old eyes, then the worst they were going to do was bite me. With Lyme Disease, it’s the so-called deer ticks that are roughly the size of the head of a pin that do the damage and spread the bacteria called called Borrelia burgdorferi. I’m definitely too old to see those, so my only hope is to feel them on me when I’ve settled down for the evening.

That leads to all sorts of paranoid flinching and scratching, what one might call a tick tic (sic).

This product is considered the best safe tick control on the market today, according to research published in 2009.

So today I’m refreshing my supply of EcoSMART Tick and Mosquito Repellent. I used it in the past in Maine after I heard about the 2009 research at Maine Medical Center, which essentially stated that the product works as well or better than any chemical tick control on the market. It also doesn’t come with the potentially negative side effects associated with the synthetic chemical insecticides.

One quart of the EcoSMART stuff, made from food-grade botanic ingredients that are considered so safe they don’t require an EPA registration (read here about 25(b) eco-exempt pesticides), will cover 5,000 square feet. It’s most important to spray the perimeter of the yard, as well as any nooks and crannies, or rocks etc., where the ticks can hide from the bright sun. If you keep your lawn mown to 3-4 inches tall, the ticks generally won’t hang out there, but they definitely like taller grass.

Other application tips: 1) Make sure to shake the container well before using it because the ingredients will fall out of solution if they sit for too long; 2) If it’s too hot (above 85-90), then apply early in the morning; 3) Avoid watering after the application or if rain is predicted.

Company founder, lawyer turned scientist, Steve Bessette, has told me on several occasions that it’s best to apply the stuff fairly diligently for the first season (June through August) to break the lifecycle of the insects, which will really reduce the populations. Keeping deer and other rodents out of your yard will help, too.

EcoSMART also sells a personal insect repellent lotion that can be applied to skin. I haven’t tried this . . . but will next weekend when I get around to finishing that vegetable garden: http://www.homedepot.com/buy/ecosmart-6-oz-personal-insect-repellent-215971.html. (Yes, dear, if you’re reading this, I really will finish the garden!)

NOTE: To learn more about ticks and lyme disease, here is a great on-line source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/

Children and the young at heart of all ages enjoyed a plethora of lawn games, including parachute, on the organic lawns at Look Park in Northampton, Mass.

Hundreds of people enjoyed flawless weather and acres of organic lawns Saturday at the first Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Lawn-A-Thon Festival made possible by a grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell.

“It’s all about enjoying old-fashioned outdoor family fun on lawns that are not sprayed with poisonous substances that can make that family sick,” said Bernadette Giblin, a local organic lawn expert and event organizer.

A dad teachers his daughter some of the nuances of a Finnish lawn game known as Molkky.

Festive dancing to classic chants and clapping added a British flavor to the day.

Visitors introduced 'Aunt Sallys,' a classic British pub game that involves thick 18-inch dowels and a single skittle perched atop a steel stanchion.

This 5-year-old girl learned to twirl a hula hoop around her waist for the first time.

With the Keep off the Grass Sign evident in the foreground, a baseball game takes place Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. on a field that had been treated with synthetic toxic weed killers at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Sandy Syburg photo)

It happens, undoubtedly, often and everywhere. Poisons are sprayed to kill weeds on sports fields, the warning signs are posted . . . and the signs are ignored.

Rarely, though, do we get photographic evidence directly from a SafeLawns member.

At shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday the fields around the Stonebank School in Oconomowoc, Wi., were sprayed with synthetic chemical weed killers and posted by the lawn care company. Minutes later a baseball game began.

“The turf was still wet with the product,” said Sandy Syburg, founder of Purple Cow Organics and owner of an abutting organic farm. “The school indicated they notified parents via email and an automated phone alert system and the contractor did not apply during school hours. (But) the teams that use this ‘public’ ball fields are from a number of neighboring communities and are members of an area youth baseball league.”

Concerned for the health of the players, Syburg said he requested a roster of the players of the four teams be created and a notification of the pesticide exposure sent to the parents of each child/player.

“In addition I recommended a cross reference of absence from school the following day by the players or siblings be recorded with the roster file,” he said. “Any other symptoms of headache, nausea, rash etc. is to be reported by the parent to the health room — or from the health room to the parents — should also be cross referenced and recorded with the roster.”

http://lawncare.about.com/od/Book_Reviews/fr/Tag-Toss-And-Run-40-Classic-Lawn-Games-By-Paul-Tukey-And-Victoria-Rowell.htm

Mulching blades for mowers are tiered to cut each blade at least twice.

YOU CAN WATER IT TOO MUCH, or too little. You can fertilize too often, or let it go hungry. The absolute fastest way to screw up your lawn, however, has to do with the task you probably undertake most frequently: mowing.

Right now, during peak mowing season for much of North America, it’s important to review some basic rules that will keep your lawn lush now and, most importantly, later in the season when growing conditions likely won’t be as optimum.

1) Keep the Blade Sharp — Believe it, or not, it’s best to have your mower’s blade sharpened (or do it yourself) every eight to 12 hours of use. Dull blades tear grass rather than cut it. I like to keep two blades for the same mower in my garage; that way one can always be kept sharp and I don’t have to run the risk of mowing with a dull blade when the lawn gets tall.

2) Blade Height — Lawns should be cut no lower than 3 inches in height until the onset of autumn. The only exceptions to this would be lawns containing a predominance of one of three species of grass: bentgrass, Bermudagrass or seashore paspalum. These three species can be mowed as low as one inch high. Allowing the grass to stay tall now will keep many weed seeds from germinating — especially those crabgrass seeds that need light to germinate; keeping the lawn tall throughout the summer will keep the surface of the soil from drying out and reduce the need for watering.

3) Following the Rule of Thirds — No more than one-third of the grass plant should be cut at any one time. In other words, if the grass grows to an average height of 6 inches, it should be cut to no lower than 4 inches on its next mowing. After a 48-hour recovery period, the lawn can then be mowed again down to 3 inches. Here’s a good video from Cornell Cooperative Extension agent Dr. Frank Rossi, a turf specialist, who explains the rule: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guFJDNP9j9s.

4) If Your Lawn Gets Away From You — The top mowing height on most mowers is no higher than 4 inches, so what do you do if the lawn grows taller than 6 inches? I make sure no children are around and push down on the handlebar of the mower so the front tires lift into the air. This will generally allow the grass to remain at about 6 to 8 inches tall after the first pass of the mower. I also use a scythe on the areas of my lawn that I only mow once or twice a year. That’s one of the oldest — and most satisfying — grass-cutting tools on the planet.

5) Avoid Mowing When Wet — All precautions should be made to avoid mowing lawns during or just after rain, or when heavy dew is present. Grass tears easily when wet and the mower tires are more likely to do damage to the lawn.

6) Don’t Mow When No Rain is Predicted — If the long-range forecast calls for no appreciable rain and you do not have an irrigation system installed and in regular use, the lawn should not be mowed again until the day before substantial rain is predicted.

7) Recycle Clippings (Three Bagging Exceptions) — In general, grass clippings should be “mulched” or recycled back onto the lawn to restore nutrients to the lawn. As such, mowers should be equipped with mulching blades, which cut the blades at two heights — thereby dicing up the grass so it will biodegrade more quickly. Any areas of heavy clumping of grass clippings should be spread out with a rake and, in some extreme cases, the grass clippings should be removed to a compost pile. Bagging attachments are recommended in three circumstances: 1) in spring, if leaves and other debris remain heavily distributed across the lawn; 2) in late spring when dandelions set seed; 3) in fall, when leaves are heavily distributed across the lawn. In all circumstances, materials gathered in mower bags should be recycled and composted.

8 Turf Tires — Any large mowing machines should be equipped with turf tires designed to spread the weight of the mower across a wide area.

9) Striping and Overlapping — For most attractive appearance, lawns should be mowed in straight-line patterns, with overlapping by an average of the tire width in each direction. Mowing one course around the perimeter of a lawn area is recommended prior to commencing the striping pattern. The direction of the striping should be changed on subsequent mowing, either in a perpendicular or diagonal direction. Clippings should not be “blown” into surrounding planting beds.

10) Proper Use of Line Trimmers — Learn the proper use of line trimmers to: 1) avoid harming trees and shrubs; 2) avoid harming fence posts, siding and other stationary items; 3) avoid scalping the lawn to lower than 3 inches.

11) Observe the Lawn for Changes — If you see noticeable changes occur such as weeds, discoloration, insect infestations or dying patches of grass, do your best to diagnose the problem — or consult an organic lawn care professional. The problem, mind you, may not be not enough fertilizer or water.

12) Keep the Mower Clean — Mowers can easily spread fungal disease and even weed seeds, thereby contaminating an otherwise healthy lawn. If your lawn mower never leaves your own yard, then use your best judgement regarding cleaning. But if you hire someone to mow your lawn, you should really require that your mowing professional hose off his or her mower’s blade and undercarriage prior to firing it up on your grass.

13) Use Common Sense About Safety — Mowers, especially rotary mowers powered by gasoline engines, are inherently dangerous. They are capable of propelling rocks and other debris great distances and the moving blades are capable of severing hands and feet. Never reach in anywhere near the mower blade without disengaging the spark plug; always be aware of where your mower is discharging the grass.

Entertainer Dennis Caraher will be on hand to keep the kids smiling at the first Lawn-A-Thon Festival.

Ready, set . . . play and learn. The first Lawn-A-Thon festival, combining old-fashioned outdoor games from around the world, along with educational opportunities and family entertainment, is set for historic Look Memorial Park in Florence, Mass., this Saturday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m.

SafeLawns founder Paul Tukey, co-author of the book, Tag, Ross & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games, will be on hand to lead the festivities with a brief speech followed by an afternoon of selected games including Hoop Trundling, Molkky, Sack Races, Ladder Golf and many more. He’ll also be available to sign copies of the book.

Tukey will be joined by Bernadette Giblin, a local organic turf consultant, who will demonstrate how to create a pesticide-free lawn, as well as local children’s entertainer Dennis Caraher, who will perform live.

This free event is run on behalf of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in its efforts to increase awareness and education about how to reduce pesticide use and prevent the contamination of local waters. If you have any questions or special requests, please contact Maria Scholl at Maria_s@turi.org, 978-934-4964.

The popular Finnish game Molkky was a big hit with the crowd at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national convention in San Diego on Friday.

Calling the Boys & Girls Clubs of America attendees inspirational community leaders, SafeLawns founder Paul Tukey challenged the organization to help keep communities across the nation pesticide free wherever children play.

“I want you to know about the Child Safe Playing Fields Act that keeps toxic weed and insect killers off playgrounds and playing fields statewide in New York,” said Tukey, who was selected as a keynote presenter, along with co-author Victoria Rowell, at the Boys & Girls Clubs 106th annual convention held in San Diego last Wednesday through Friday. “Connecticut and New York are the only two states to have that sort of protection in place. With your help, we can — and should — extend that protection to the other 48 states.”

Tukey and Rowell’s primary message to the audience of club directors and staff focused on their new book, Tag, Toss & Run and SafeLawns’ new national campaign titled “Lawn Games for Life.”

Actress and co-author Victoria Rowell shared inspirational stories of her childhood in Maine and Massachusetts, much of which she said was spent outdoors playing the old-fashioned games in her book, Tag, Toss & Run.

“Playing these games teaches a set of life skills that you never get from computer games,” said Rowell, who detailed her own childhood in her best-selling 2007 memoir titled The Women Who Raised Me. She credited her experiences at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Massachusetts for helping build a life foundation that later led to leading roles in numerous television and movie projects, including The Young & the Restless, Diagnosis: Murder and Dumb and Dumber.

Near the conclusion of their talk the authors share some of their favorite games from their book, which was released on March 27. Boys & Girls Club directors enthusiastically competed in old-fashioned wheelbarrow races, as well as hoop trundling played with wooden hoops crafted by the Cooperman Company of Bellows Falls, Vt.

SafeLawns founder Paul Tukey demonstrates hoop trundling for the audience.

Boys & Girls Club directors caught on quickly with hoop trundling, a racing game that dates back thousands of years.

“It was very inspirational,” said Wayne B. Moss, senior director of the Sports, Fitness & Recreation Program for the Boys & Girls Clubs. “It’s clear we share a lot of common ground in our message to get children playing again.”

These are four of the 14 stops we made during April to promote natural lawn care and healthy outdoor play.

The SafeLawns spring 2012 tour makes a significant stop today, presenting to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national convention at the Grand Hyatt Convention Center in San Diego, Ca.

Co-authors Victoria Rowell and Paul Tukey will be on hand to discuss their new book, Tag, Toss & Run, as well as the previous titles The Women Who Raise Me (Rowell) about foster care and the Organic Lawn Care Manual (Tukey) about reducing toxins in the landscape environment.

The Boys & Girls Clubs audience, which will be comprised of directors and staff from across North America, represents a unique opportunity to send the message of environmental stewardship for the sake of children back to communities nationwide. The clubs are focal points for children’s issues.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Tukey, who will be visiting his 14th state in the past 30 days. “I grew up in Maine and visited the Boys Club there almost every day. It played a significant part in my childhood and helped me develop a lot of skill sets that I’ve carried with me through many, many years.”

This dandelion, bigger than my daughter from root to flower at the time, could feed a family of four.

Dandelions are a hot topic right now as April turns to May. The airways are positively alive with advertisements for how to kill the so-called weeds. Neighbors will go to war with other neighbors who dare allow the flowers to grow unfettered in their yards, as if the property values will plummet from the proximity to the scourge.

Capitalizing on all this white-hot hatred of a plant has become a huge industry in North America, up to $40 billion depending on who’s data you count and what categories of fertilizing and killing are included.

Whenever I see my daughter, Aimee, outside, however, I’m reminded that hating dandelions is not a birthright. Little boys and girls universally enter the world in love with dandelions . . . and clover and Johnny jump-ups and most any other flowers for that matter. Children even love the dandelion seed heads that adults seem to loathe most of all. Kids pluck them and blow them and delight as the seeds dance on the breeze until coming to rest at their anointed spot on the lawn.

Aimee, especially, seems drawn to flowers. The cross-pollination of two professional gardeners, Aimee can’t quite understand why everyone’s yard in the neighborhood is not as bountiful as ours when it comes to flowers Mother Nature plants naturally.

Or, perhaps, Aimee is the prodigy of her great grandmother, who — at 89 years and one day apart from my daughter in age — used to spend her days going door to door on Reeves Road in Bradford, Maine, asking her neighbors if she good dig their dandelions. Gram called her haul a good “mess of greens” and would gleefully force feed them to me while telling me they were “good for what ails” me.

I have asked people the rhetorical question at every stop on my road for the past 17 years or so: “How did we get from the 1960s, when we considered dandelions good food, to now, when people spend hard-earned money to purge their patch of paradise of any non-grass plants?”

The answer, of course, is marketing, a manufactured definition of landscape beauty that’s not unlike the sculpted, Photoshopped and cropped manipulation of the photos on celebrity magazines. Dandelions are lawn pimples to be popped, they’re wrinkles to be injected with Botox.

In 50 years we’ve gone from a waste-not-want-not culture where the lawn was a free salad bar, to a waste-all-want-all society where we’re willing to apply toxic substances to our landscapes for the sake of someone’s perception of attractive.

It would be easy to get cynical, except that I have Aimee to remind me that this, too, shall pass.

As long as little girls love dandelions — and they always will — we will have a chance to change the world.

The windows, we kept shut last night,
to keep the toxic fumes outdoors.
By morning, it is raining,
as I set about some chores:

Feed the birds — but they’re not here…
Cut some herbs — no, can’t eat them…

OK, walk to the beach to start the day,
but signs on the grass say to stay away…
So I head to the path, on down the lane,
and in front of me lies the following scene:

Yellow pellets litter the pavement.
Earthworms that crawled there are curled up dead.
Puddles dissolving the chemical toxin
soak in my shoes and go to my head.

So it’s back to the cottage we call home,
through the stench of pesticide thick in the air…

I feel like a mouse being run through a test
to see how much will lay me to rest.

— Suzan Bryher Dill