What’s an organic lawn?

Just like the organic produce you can get at the grocery store or farmers market, an organic lawn is grown without synthetic chemicals. That means no synthetic fertilizers & no synthetic weed killers.

Why is it so important that we get away from synthetic lawn chemicals?

With around 40 million acres of turfgrass in the continental United States, grass is by far the largest irrigated crop in the country. We have three times as much land set aside for growing turf as we do for irrigated corn. ​

Each year, Americans apply around 90 million pounds of synthetic chemical fertilizer to their lawns, either themselves or with a lawn company. These chemicals destroy the composition of our soils, pollute our waters and damage the creatures responsible for natural decomposition processes. ​

Chemicals found in synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides also introduce toxins to humans, pets and wildlife, which are known to cause disease and other health problems.

How can an organic yard help heal the planet?

Natural lawn care isn't about pumping nutrients into your lawn, it's about building up organic matter in your soil. Having healthier soil will mean thicker turf and less weeds, which means less need for herbicides. Having healthier soil will mean less watering, because organic matter locks moisture into the soil. Plus, healthy soil sequesters carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere where it becomes a greenhouse gas.

Removing synthetic chemicals from our yards also keeps those chemicals out of our watershed-- something that we as an organic lawn company work at every day. Applying organic fertilizer, soil amendments and microbial drenches will build up your soil and give you a healthier lawn. Natural fertilizer also locks carbon into your soil, which is great for the environment.

What it means to have an organic yard.

Having an organic lawn does not mean having a lawn that looks messy, neglected or out of place in a suburban neighborhood. A thoughtfully managed organic lawn is rooted in soil science, plant physiology and ecology, and it can look just as neat and intentional as any turf treated with chemicals. The real difference is underground, where an organic lawn feeds life in the soil instead of forcing quick growth from the turf, especially during that critical time in the spring when roots are waking up and building strength for the season ahead; spring fertilization sets the stage for the rest of the growing season.

A healthy natural lawn functions as a living system that is in balance. In a natural lawn, beneficial bacteria and fungi break down organic matter and they cycle nutrients to your turf's roots, helping the roots grow deeper, which helps with water retention and drought tolerance. Spring fertilization with a slow-release lawn fertilizer supports steady growth without the surge-and-crash effect of synthetic products. Over time, a natural lawn becomes denser, naturally crowding out weeds while still maintaining a healthy amount of biodiversity.

Concerns about uneven or unruly turf are understandable when talking about organic lawn care, but appearance is shaped by maintenance, not chemistry. Proper mowing height, consistent overseeding and smart watering can keep growth neat and in-line with your neighbors. This approach produces a safe lawn that doesn't need "caution" signs and avoids chemical runoff; it protects pollinators from harmful residues; and it creates a habitat at the soil level where life thrives.

An organic lawn also supports life beyond the grass itself. Soil organisms, insects and flowering plants work together to build resilience, strengthen soil structure and protect waterways. The result is a yard that fits comfortably into the neighborhood while offering long-term environmental benefits and dependable pollinator protection. It's all about keeping things balanced, not forcing your lawn to do things that are unnatural. Good Sweet Earth is a non-profit lawn company that helps homeowners grow a natural lawn they can feel good about year after year.