On a walk through a forest, one sees a dynamic, self-sustaining system that is not managed by man. Urban and suburban environments are much different for a host or reasons, but many of them can be traced to the soil (or lack of good soil) and the planting environment....

“Chemical” means that turf, and other plants receive nutrient products manufactured from man-made ingredients. Chemical nitrogen is manufactured from petroleum. Many chemical combinations are “salty”. In other words, just like certain salt-based ice melt products that...