Lawn Care Providers

Tips to help you find an organic lawn-care program

In a 100% organic lawn-care program:

  • Natural products with limited and low toxicity should be used, and only when they are needed.
  • Fertilizers should be slow-release and derived from organic products and/or naturally occurring mineral products, i.e. lime, phosphate, potassium, fishmeal, bone meal, compost etc.

In a 100% organic lawn-care program weeds can be controlled. Some of the following may be recommended:

  • Core aeration followed by topdressing with organic matter, and over-seeding in the spring or fall (this program also helps to de-thatch your lawn).
  • Reducing weed seed germination and fertilizing turf by using corn gluten meal (this product takes 2-3 years of application to become fully effective).
  • Hand weeding, coupled with proper cultural practices such as mowing and watering, reduces weeds and improves the lawn's health.
  • Applying vinegar or boiling water to hard surfaces, such as brick pathways and driveways.
  • Aerating the soil and increasing the pH by applying a lime product, if there is a moss problem.

In a 100% organic lawn-care program, insects are controlled by:

  • Using biological controls such as predatory nematodes (to manage pests that live in the soil).
  • Using cultural practices to manage insects living above the soil (for example, topdressing in early spring to reduce chinch bug populations).
  • Using endophyte-enhanced grass seed to reduce the number of top-feeding insects.

What about IPM programs?

"Integrated Pest Management" and "Plant Health Care" programs are not designed to eliminate chemical pesticide use. In an organic lawn care program, chemical pesticides are not used, even as a last resort.

What if I am unsure about a proposed treatment for insect/disease or weed problems?

You can ask your lawn-care company to provide you with current product labels. The labels have information such as target pests, active ingredients, application rates, health information, and conditions for use. All licensed lawn-care companies will have label information on file, which are available to homeowners upon request. Check that the documents are current. Read them carefully and thoroughly.

If I change to an organic program, can I expect the same results?

Once an organic program is established it takes a trained eye to notice any differences between the chemically dependent lawn and the organic one. You will have a beautiful, robust lawn that you can enjoy.

However, lawns that have been treated with chemical herbicides and insecticides require a transition period to recover from chemical dependency. Beneficial soil organisms and naturally occurring predators may take a few years to repopulate the lawn and soil.

Biological pest management programs take more time to be effective than chemical pesticide programs; there are no instant results.

Companies that are 100% pesticide-free:

Disclaimers:

The City of Ottawa has striven for accuracy in these listings but recognizes that they may not be complete. To update the listings or to be added to either of the lists, please call 613-724-4227.

The material provided is for information only and should not be construed as professional advice. The listing or omission of companies does not constitute an endorsement or disapproval by the City of Ottawa.

Companies that provide both pesticide and non-pesticide services:

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