The Rose Kennedy Greenway is the mile-long ribbon of green that replaced Boston’s elevated Central Artery when Route 93 was moved underground as part of the Big Dig.
This is Boston’s only organically maintained Public Park and one of a handful of organically maintained urban parks in the United States. Children and pets can play freely and safely on our lawns without the worry of chemicals or pesticides, because the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy manages the parks organically. “Our plants are healthier, more resilient, and better able to withstand the wear of public use.†The Conservancy’s practice of not using herbicides and toxins also ensures that run-off from the parks will not pollute Boston Harbor or harm the delicate marine life.
Organic turf and weed management practices include carefully planned mowing height to deter weed development, alternating mowing patterns to avoid compaction, and the regular practice of maintaining mowing equipment to ensure blade sharpness which properly cuts turf resulting in less stress and less opportunity for disease issues. The Conservancy uses alternative means of weed control including flaming, hand removal, and products that use clove oil or citric acid. These methods utilize heat and naturally occurring compounds to disrupt plant cell activity in weeds. Annual spring and fall lawn care applications include aeration of lawns to alleviate compaction with the addition of compost top dressing and humates and over seeding to promote dense turf development. We apply organic fertilizer 4 times a year: Spring, summer, early fall and mid-fall.
Join Ecological Landcape Alliance tour guides Conservancy Superintendent of Horticulture, Stuart Shillaber and Horticulture Foreman, Anthony Ruggiero for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Greenway focused on the organic lawn care program.
Anthony Ruggiero, is the Horticulture Foreman at the Conservancy and is responsible for the direct oversight of the Horticulture crew and the day to day horticulture activities on the Greenway. Anthony also manages the Organic Program and the Irrigation System of the Greenway. His previous experience includes working in all aspects of the Green industry specializing in Sustainable and Organic Landcare. Tickets are $20 for ELA members, $25 for nonmembers. Call 617-436-5838 or visit the website below.
– See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/organic-lawns-at-the-rose-kennedy-greenway/#sthash.trlIsEr2.dpuf.
