Remember that your lawn will be just as green without using pesticides. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) has tips and advice on how you can have a naturally beautiful lawn.
“The key to a healthy lawn is healthy soil,” explains Allyson Brady, SES Executive Director. “Allow your lawn to naturally fight off pests by ensuring that you have at least 15cm of topsoil.”
You can make your own organic top-dressing by using equal parts aged manure, compost (or peat moss), and weed-free topsoil. This will act as a natural fertilizer, ensuring that your lawn has the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Remember to over-seed your grass. Grass plants, like all living things, eventually die so it is important to re-seed. Sprinkle grass seed by hand over the top dressing you have just applied. Use 500g of seed for every 20 square meters.
On May 6, SES and the City of Saskatoon started a ten-week information campaign to raise awareness about reducing the use of cosmetic pesticides.
For more information on how you can have a naturally beautiful lawn, visit the www.bepesticidefree.ca and click on the natural yard care factsheets.
