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 letting your yard look messy, neglected or out of place in your neighborhood. A thoughtfully managed organic lawn is rooted in soil science, plant physiology and ecology, and it can look just as polished and intentional as any conventional turf. The difference is underground, where an organic lawn focuses on feeding soil life instead of forcing fast top growth. It’s also about understanding that biodiversity in a lawn isn’t a bad thing; biodiversity is actually healthy.

A natural lawn operates as a balanced living system. In a natural lawn, beneficial bacteria and fungi break down organic matter and cycle nutrients to grass roots, improving root depth, water retention and tolerance to heat, drought and foot traffic. Over time, a natural lawn develops denser turf that naturally crowds out weeds while maintaining a healthy level of biodiversity.

Concerns that these approaches lead to uneven or unruly turf are understandable, but appearance is shaped by maintenance, not chemistry. Proper mowing height, regular overseeding and strategic watering keeps growth neat and consistent. Our organic lawn fertilizer releases nutrients slowly, avoiding the surge-and-crash growth common with synthetic products and produces healthy turf with no risk of burning.

This approach also supports life beyond the grass itself. Soil organisms, insects and plants work together to build resilience, protect waterways and strengthen soil structure. The result is a yard that fits comfortably into the neighborhood while delivering long-term environmental benefits, a landscape that improves year after year, and is a safe place to welcome pollinators. Good Sweet Earth is a non-profit lawn company that helps homeowners grow a lawn they can feel good about.