Organics, weed and insect control??

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I have more and more customers inquiring about organic programs. From my understanding there are no organic weed and insect killers. Some of the larger companies around here claim they do, but I have been told they are lying to customers. Are there any?

Also, what excactly is the difference between organic fert and non-organic? What, if any, are the hazzards of non-organic ferts?

Thanks

[tarty]

spot control

1 oz of orange oil in gallon of water will kill insects on contact. Use 10% vinager instead of water and add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap it will kill the weeds. Add benifical nemotoads (might check spelling on that)to soil to eat insects that breed of live in the soil. Might check my formula at www.dirtdoctor.com

[Ric]

1 oz of orange oil in gallon of water will kill insects on contact. Use 10% vinager instead of water and add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap it will kill the weeds. Add benifical nemotoads (might check spelling on that)to soil to eat insects that breed of live in the soil. Might check my formula at www.dirtdoctor.com

Yes and if the EPA catches you using products, that are not labeled as pesticides, as pesticides they can fine you big time. Organic fertilizers have there place, however this is the 21th century. Modern chemical are not a danger if applied correctly.

[Stephen M.]

1 oz of orange oil in gallon of water will kill insects on contact. Use 10% vinager instead of water and add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap it will kill the weeds. Add benifical nemotoads (might check spelling on that)to soil to eat insects that breed of live in the soil. Might check my formula at www.dirtdoctor.com

Vinager will only kill annual weeds and not perrenial weeds. You have to know the difference so you don't waste time and money. Also, according to the federal pesticide act, the label IS the law; unless the label specifies that specific use, forget about it.

There are agricultural vinagers labled with weed killing in mind, but it is against the law to go to the grocery store and use food grade vinager since it is only labeled for consumption by humans.

Beware of long term use of vinager; it acidifies the soil. It can be used as a ground sterilant in a very concentrated form, but more scientific study needs to be done in how that affects other desireable vegetation.

Get info from your state extention service from the land grant university before winging it.

Just because it's labeled "organic" doesn't mean it's safe to use in the environment with out care.

[lorenzo piedra]

Beware of long term use of vinager; it acidifies the soil. It can be used as a ground sterilant in a very concentrated form, but more scientific study needs to be done in how that affects other desireable vegetation.
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Yes this common household product does more harm than good when compared to the efficient, economical, time tested herbicides that real professionals actually use.

When I get a tree hugger I just tell them I use fertilizers and pesticides in the most environmentaly friendly fashion. In my state they don't even have the legal right to know what particular products I am applying.

If the outcome to the hugger is an especially pleasing landscape he will quickly forget about the snake oil salesmen.