A Safe Haven to Play: The Importance of Organic Fertilizer on Lawns for Children and Pets

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Author: Dori Trossen
Our lawns are often extensions of our living spaces, providing areas for children to tumble, pets to roam, and families to connect with nature. However, maintaining a lush green carpet can come with hidden risks if we rely on synthetic chemical fertilizers. These products, while often effective at promoting rapid growth, can pose threats to the health of our loved ones and the environment. Choosing organic, safe fertilizers is a crucial step in creating a truly healthy and worry-free play space.
The Potential Dangers of Chemical Fertilizers:
Chemical fertilizers contain synthetic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with other additives. While they provide quick nutrients to the grass, they can also present several concerns:

• Harmful Chemicals: Many synthetic fertilizers contain pesticides and herbicides to control weeds and pests. These chemicals can be toxic to children and pets through direct contact, ingestion (even licking paws after walking on treated lawns), or inhalation of dust and fumes during application.
  • Sources: (Sprigs & Twigs, n.d.; MD Anderson Cancer Center, n.d.; Pesticide Exposure in Children, 2018; Pesticide assessment: Protecting public health on the home turf, 2008; Adverse health effects of children's exposure to pesticides: what do we really know and what can be done about it, 2006; Impact of pesticide exposure in childhood, 2020; Pesticide Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment: Summary and Implications, 2014; Exposures to pesticides and risk of cancer: Evaluation of recent epidemiological evidence in humans and paths forward, 2023).  ​
  
  
• Skin and Respiratory Irritation: Direct contact with chemical fertilizers can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burns. Inhaling the fine particles can irritate the respiratory system, especially in individuals with asthma or sensitivities.
• Water Contamination: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from synthetic fertilizers can leach into groundwater and runoff into surface waters. This can lead to the contamination of drinking water sources and the development of harmful algal blooms in lakes and rivers, disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
  • Source: (MD Anderson Cancer Center, n.d.).
• Soil Health Degradation: Chemical fertilizers can disrupt the natural balance of the soil ecosystem. They can reduce beneficial microbial activity, leading to a dependence on synthetic inputs and a weakening of the soil's long-term health and ability to retain nutrients.
  • Source: (Jonathan Green, n.d.).
• 
  Making the Switch to a Safe Lawn:
  Transitioning to organic lawn care may take time to see the same rapid greening as with synthetic fertilizers, but the long-term benefits for the health of your family, pets, and the environment are well worth the effort. By choosing organic, safe fertilizers, you can create a beautiful lawn that is truly a safe haven for everyone to enjoy.
  Disclaimer: Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for any fertilizer product, even organic options. While generally safer, some organic materials may have specific application guidelines. Consult with local gardening experts or your county extension office for advice tailored to your specific lawn and soil conditions.


• Safe Organic Fertilizer Options:
  There are numerous safe and effective organic fertilizer options available for home lawns:
• Compost
• Aged Manure
• Bone Meal
• Fish Emulsion
• Seaweed Extract
• Organic Granular Fertilizers (e.g., those based on soy meal, corn gluten meal, OMRI-listed)
  • Source: (Purely Organic Products Lawn Food 10-0-2; Scotts Natural Lawn Food).
• Grass Clippings (Grasscycling)
  • Source: (Pesticide.org, n.d.).
• The Benefits of Organic, Safe Fertilizers:
  Organic fertilizers, derived from natural sources like compost, manure, bone meal, and plant-based materials, offer a safer and more sustainable approach to lawn care:
• Safe for Children and Pets: Organic fertilizers are generally considered safe for children and pets to be around after application. They don't contain the harsh chemicals and synthetic pesticides found in many conventional fertilizers, reducing the risk of direct toxicity.
  • Source: (Lowe's, n.d.; Scotts Natural Lawn Food).
• Gentle on the Skin and Respiratory System: Made from natural materials, organic fertilizers are less likely to cause skin irritation or respiratory issues.
• Environmentally Friendly: Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly, reducing the risk of leaching and runoff that can contaminate water sources. They also contribute to healthier soil, which can improve water retention and reduce the need for excessive watering.
  • Source: (Neave Group, n.d.).
• Improve Soil Health: Organic matter in these fertilizers feeds beneficial soil microbes, leading to a richer, more fertile soil that naturally supports healthy grass growth over the long term. This can result in a stronger, more resilient lawn that is less susceptible to pests and diseases.
  • Source: (Lawn Pride, n.d.).​ 
• • Jonathan Green. (n.d.). The Benefits of Organic Lawn Care. https://www.jonathangreen.com/blog/the-benefits-of-organic-lawn-care/
  • Lawn Pride. (n.d.). The Benefits of Using Organic Fertilizer. https://www.lawnpride.com/blog/the-benefits-of-using-organic-fertilizer
  • Lowe's. (n.d.). Is Organic Lawn Fertilizer Safe for Pets? https://www.lowes.com/n/kb/is-organic-lawn-fertilizer-safe-for-pets
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center. (n.d.). Lawn Chemicals and Cancer Risk. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/lawn-chemicals-and-cancer-risk-is-there-a-connection/jcr:content/par/columncontrol/column-0/richtext_0.html
  • Neave Group. (n.d.). The Benefits of Organic Fertilizers. https://www.neavegroup.com/blog/the-benefits-of-organic-fertilizers/
  • Pesticide.org. (n.d.). Reduce Fertilizer Needs. https://www.pesticide.org/articles/reduce-fertilizer-needs
  • Purely Organic Products. (n.d.). Purely Organic Products Lawn Food 10-0-2. (Based on product information available from retailers)
  • Scotts Natural Lawn Food. (Based on product information available from retailers)
  • Sprigs & Twigs. (n.d.). Are Lawn Chemicals Safe for Pets? https://sprigsandtwigs.net/are-lawn-chemicals-safe-for-pets/
  • Pesticide Exposure in Children. (2018). Pediatrics in Review, 39(2), 75–84. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5813803/
  • Pesticide assessment: Protecting public health on the home turf. (2008). CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 179(12), 1271–1273. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2528613/
  • Adverse health effects of children's exposure to pesticides: what do we really know and what can be done about it. (2006). Acta Paediatrica, Supplement, 95(453), 71–80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17000573/
  • Impact of pesticide exposure in childhood. (2020). Reviews on Environmental Health, 35(3), 221–227. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32598326/
  • Pesticide Exposure and Child Neurodevelopment: Summary and Implications. (2014). JAMA Pediatrics, 168(10), 947–949. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4247335/
  • Exposures to pesticides and risk of cancer: Evaluation of recent epidemiological evidence in humans and paths forward. (2023). Environmental Health, 22(1), 13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36134639/