You can have an attractive lawn without the use of chemicals, and there are many reasons to choose to use chemical free lawn care. Children are much more at risk for any potential health effects due to chemicals. Their bodies are still developing so they can be more susceptible to the health impacts of pesticides. Pets are also at risk on lawns treated with pesticides for the obvious reason that they spend a lot of their time in your yard.
Natural lawn care techniques include proper watering and mowing, aeration, overseeding, weeding by hand or using natural weed reducers such as corn gluten. Including clover seed in your seed mix will add nitrogen to the soil naturally and reduce the need to fertilize. These practices will help to keep your lawn healthy. With safe, effective alternatives to lawn pesticides available, why risk health and environmental problems? Midwest Grows Green has wonderful resources on many topics including natural lawn care for homeowners.
Don’t be so focused on a grass-only, perfect lawn. Instead realize that a healthy lawn, which might include other species such as clover, can naturally resist disease and drought. Your children, grandchildren and pets will thank you!
