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.

Most people want a lawn that looks good and feels safe for themselves, their family and their pets. An organic lawn delivers all of that, but it does require a different way of thinking about your yard. Eco-friendly lawn care isn't about achieving perfection. It's about working with nature instead of against it. So what does that actually mean?

• Your soil is everything. For a healthy natural lawn, your focus needs to start with the soil. Healthy soil is full of living organisms, bacteria, fungi and microbes that break down organic matter and feed your grass naturally. When you add compost, organic lawn fertilizer and other natural inputs, you're building a biology that strengthens turf from the roots up. The better your soil, the less work your lawn needs over time. Organic lawn care is really just soil care with grass on top.

• A natural lawn has some biodiversity, and that's a good thing. If you've always chased a perfect monoculture, this one might take some getting used to. But here's the reality: a monoculture doesn't exist anywhere in nature, and a lawn that tries to be a monoculture is fragile and high-maintenance. A natural lawn should always have at least 10% other plants growing alongside your turfgrass. We have ways to manage and minimize what you don't want, but some biodiversity is healthy and normal. Adding clover is actually a great eco-friendly way to manage biodiversity. It fixes nitrogen, feeds pollinators and helps keep your grass green all summer long.

• It’s safe for everything that comes into your yard. Kids, dogs, butterflies, bees, birds. An eco-friendly lawn means none of them are being exposed to synthetic pesticides or herbicides when they're out there. No residues on paws coming inside. Pollinators can exist without being harmed. No chemicals drifting into garden beds or waterways. An eco-friendly approach protects everything that uses your yard, not just the grass.

A natural lawn still looks sharp, intentional and well-kept. It just gets there differently. If you're ready to make the switch, or just want to learn more before you decide, our lawn library is a great place to start. Making eco-friendly choices for your yard doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. And when you're ready to talk, we're here; just reach out and we’ll set up a free consult. We're a lawn company that specializes entirely in organic lawn care as well as protecting the planet. No other lawn company does this with more focus or commitment. Your yard can be something you're genuinely proud of. It just takes a different approach to get there.