You don't have to be a superhero to have a super lawn
Since the Toronto pesticide bylaw was passed in 2004, residents have learned that you can have a beautiful, healthy lawn without pesticides by practising natural lawn care. All Ontario residents will now be able to enjoy healthy lawns as the province now has a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. This provincial ban, which is similar to the Toronto bylaw, replaces all pesticide bylaws throughout the province.
If you have pesticides at home they may now be banned. This means you can't use them and must dispose of them safely. Pesticides are considered household hazardous waste which means you can dispose of them at your local Community Environment Day or one of the City's Household Hazardous Waste Depots (416-392-4330).
If haven't already been practicing natural lawn care, here are 10 tips to get you started.
- Spread grass seed every spring or fall. Choose a blend of seeds, including perennial ryegrass and fescue.
- Apply natural fertilizer in late spring and fall. Don't over-fertilize - follow label directions carefully.
- Use a lawn aerator to help soil breathe. You can rent or buy aerators at most garden centres or equipment rental locations.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn - they help keep your lawn moist and provide nutrients.
- Raise your lawn mower to a height of 7.5 cm (3 inches). Longer grass has deeper roots and crowd out weeds.
- Water your lawn once a week with 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water unless it has rained. A deep watering encourages healthy roots.
- Pull weeds by hand when the soil is wet. Drop some grass seed into the hole to help stop weeds from coming back.
- Spread organic material such as compost on your lawn each year.
- Spread mulch (e.g. leaves, bark chips) in garden beds and around trees to keep in water and to control weeds.
Download our pamphlet (PDF)
Last updated May 2009