I Hate Fertilizer!

There are too many things in this world to worry about with our kids and we can't constantly protect them from everything. I say nothing, it's not my place to. Thier yard, their choices. And yep, we fertilize our lawn as well as everyone on the block here.

I don't think I'd say anything. Or maybe I'd cheerfully say "how about playing in our yard today since yours is freshly fertilized?"

Unless you're eating totally organic food (and you know where the organic comes from) and not eating meat and drinking only natural stuff out of glass and never plastic (and only non-bgh milk) -- and not driving a car or using chemical cleaning supplies or having carpet with stainguard, etc., you really can't say much. We're all polluters, and expose ourselves to toxins on a daily basis. No, you're not directly putting anything bad on your lawn, but we all do things that aren't good for us and we shouldn't judge others because we think they don't know what they are doing or that they are wrong for doing it. Your kids' exposure to this toxin is just the tip of the iceberg of what they will experience throughout their lives. Most of us make it a long ways through life even with all the stuff our bodies are exposed to.

Relax. Your neighbor is not the only one using fertilizer for their lawn. And your kids won't die because of it. Just don't eat it :)

I AGREE!

I'm AMAZED at some of the ignorant responses you have recieved. "O well, everyone does it, there are worse things, blah, blah, blah." This is one of the many reasons I will NEVER own a house in a subdivision. All of these people need to learn to think outside the box.

Cancer is not something that you just get one day. It's something that you become more and more prone to as the years go on through all the little decisions you make to eat tons of overly processed food day after day, drink soda all the time and use chemicals bc, hey, why not, everyone else does! We are sucky stewards of our environment and ourselves. (I bill chemotherapy to insurance companies by the way--unfortunately I have a secure job)

People need to stop contaminating their neighbors and our water systems with their obsessive need to rid the world of dandelions! How wonderful would it be if people just used the opportunity to pull them and get some exercise, or make at least half their lawns wild flowers that require no maintenance? Or you could just enjoy af few little yellow flowers! Who decided that these things are evil?

STOP THE GRASS FARMING PEOPLE!!!!!!

The most outrageous thing I ever heard is that in a lot of places now their are fines if you have a certain amount of dandelions in your yard.

GET A LIFE FOLKS! You're just keeping chemlawn in business--BTW--ever thought about that name CHEM-lawn?

Sheesh--thanks for allowing my soapbox rant!

L.,
I understand that it is your protective nature to get upset about the fertilizer, but I have new for you.......they use it at the schools and at the parks. Not all fertilizer is toxic they have rules and regulations on these things. Do you buy only organic food products ? Because the farmers use fertilizer and pesticides on their crops. Shoot can you imagine what is in the water at the water parks to keep it clean with all those different kids and people in it! These things are tested and monitored. It's okay.
S. T.

Really, they probably don't know the ramifications. Not sure where you live, but this is common place in our land of manicured lawns, no matter how educated we are (or seem to be)...ugh! Usually I say my piece/peace and move on---"I am concerned about my children being exposed to those chemicals." I might state reasons. Sometimes I get those strange looks. Oh well. Good luck!

People are truly uneducated when it comes to this type of thing. I think I'd say very directly that we can't play in their yard because of the fertilizer they used... and perhaps invite them to your yard instead.

OMG this happened to me this spring, but on the flip side! We had our lawn fertilized. Seems like we were the only yard with a million dandelions. It never rained, I forgot about it and the kids were out playing with neighbor kids. When they came into the house for a drink of water, one of the boys had watery,itchy eyes and I wondered what was wrong. Then it hit me and I felt terrible. I immediately shooed them back to the neighbor's yard and felt really bad. It was inadvertant. I did not do it on purpose. I know that they do sell natural fertilizers at exorbitant prices (shame on our society!), but our lawn costs $150 to be sprayed with the unhealthy stuff and the other would be way higher. I try to keep the kids off, but this day, I forgot. Sorry. :(

I know how you feel. My husband only uses all natural fertilizer for our lawn. But.....you cannot control what neighbors do with their lawns and you cannot expect everyone to be as aware and concerned as you. I would probably casually mention what your husband does to your lawn or why you choose not to use fertilizer, sometimes those small bits of info can make a big difference, and then it is not confrontational. Also, I would not worry so much about the once in a while exposure to fertilizer. We were all exposed to it as children, and as long as you do not use it, they will not be exposed to it too often. I would just make sure that your children do not eat the pellets and I would give them a bath when they are done playing. Hope this helps!

We never fertilized the lawn when our son was little. But now that he is 17 we have a service come in to do our lawn but they never use pellets or dry fertilizer the spray it on. They also tell you so stay off for the day.

I agree with one of the other responses just suggest your lawn for play time.

S.

I know the feeling. I spend lots of time outside with my son and my neighbor is out there almost weekly it seems like spraying around his house. I know that it is his lawn and his home but it makes me mad that I have to take my son in the house because I can smell it for hours after he is out there. I will watch to see what others say because it is his lawn.

Seems like there's a lot of good information in these responses. Couple of things I take from it all:

- they could be using a non-toxic fertilizer and you don't know it; we use a pellet that is completely natural and safe; our friends own a green lawn care service that sprays with non-toxic fertilizers; just ask your neighbor so you'll know either way, and let them know you believe it is dangerous and why - be able to explain what is in the fertilizer that is dangerous; Explain the chemicals that have been proven to cause problems if digested and/or touched. Worst case - just tell them your children are allergic to something in the fertilizer.

- Weed Fertilizer for grass, can be very dangerous - you're totally right - but it's not the most toxic thing you can expose your children to; most of the household cleaners available for sale at the grocery store are significantly more harmful because residue remains on the items you use, touch & eat off of every day inside a closed home with poor air circulation; The reality is that most homes are 2-5 times more toxic than the worst polluted city area. Computers, cell phones, microwaves, televisions, craft supplies, pressed wood furniture, drywall, air fresheners, stored fuel in the garage, paint, dry-cleaned clothing (the list is enormous) all are sources of pollution that are compounded by one another and the closed doors of a home.

- We all want what's best for our children and it's a daunting task to try and know all the things that can harm them and/or how to prevent these things from harming them; it seems best to keep sharing knowledge and ideas and let others know what we learn. Maybe your neighbor just doesn't know what's in fertilizer and why it's dangerous.

Ugh, how annoying. I would just say that you'd have to go home since you don't let your kids play on the grass with fertilizer. If she asks why, let her know it's toxic. Either she doesn't know or doesn't get it. I have to deal with things like this too since we switched to nontoxic cleaning products and more organic foods. Some people don't get why it's so important, but I feel that it is very important. I sometimes let them know why and sometimes find it's easier to not get into it depending on the person.

Good luck!
K.