Organic vs. Chemical Lawn Care.

People often ask us What is Organic Lawn Care?

It is the treatment and maintenance of your lawn without using any harmful chemicals or toxic products. Natural fertilizers, weed control and insect control products are used in conjunction with nature to grow a vigorous and healthy lawn.

Why not use chemicals? The simple answer is... they are not necessary. We treat the cause of your lawn problems, whereas chemicals treat the symptoms. Let's look at the key components to any lawn care program, whether you hire a professional, or do-it-yourself

1. Fertilizers: Organic fertilizers consist of compost or composted manure. They provide nutrients to the soil which feeds the root system of your lawn. Chemical (synthetic) fertilizers also feed your lawn, but they can also burn your lawn too. For further information of the benefits of using organic fertilizer, check out July/August issue of Organic Gardening, their special report states, "High organic-matter content is the primary reason compost and most other organic fertilizers are superior to chemical fertilizers. Chemicals don't provide the carbohydrates that are essential for a healthy soil food web, and some of them are so caustic that they can kill soil organisms and inhibit plant growth.

2. Weed Control: Natural weed control entails some hand weeding while your lawn gathers strength. By focusing on soil health, your lawn gets thicker, stronger and more weed resistant. Also, overseeding creates stronger grass through diversity. Chemical weed control entails spraying some form of chemical pesticide on your lawn. These chemicals have serious potential risks to the health of humans, pets and the environment. Pesticides were developed to kill living organisms, they teat the symptom and not the cause of the problem.

3. Insect Control: Organic insect control is done using beneficial insects, such as nematodes. They control grubs and over 250 other root zone pests. Chemical pest control products sterilize soils, killing beneficial microbes, earthworms and pollinators. Which would you choose, the solution which works with nature, is not harmful to people, pets or plants, OR the one which is potentially harmful and works against nature???

If organic lawn care is so great, why isn't everyone doing it? Well, consumers are getting educated about being organic and health conscious. Unfortunately, the chemical companies have marketing clout and substantial marketing budgets which tells consumers there way is better. The recent trends suggest our government is working in the public's best interest by banning harmful pesticides and educating consumers on safe organic alternatives. For example, the EPA banned Dursban (see a press release below) this year. In Canada, the movement away from cosmetic use of pesticides is starting to occur. Note what has happened in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Also, municipal governments across Ontario are starting to investigate pesticide reduction methods and some have already started testing organic methods. Another great example is the City of Nepean.