What to do about weed control is the biggest question in organic lawn care. And just asking for 'organic' may not give you the chemical-free yard you expected.
So picture this - you've learned about the toxicity of the chemicals that are routinely sprayed here in Minnesota and you feel very uncomfortable about the idea of having these on your property and around your children. You've read about the lawsuits surrounding some of these chemicals and heard about the effects on respiratory, skin conditions, and even cancer risks. You've perhaps read that several of the most commonly used pesticides have been banned in Europe for years because of health concerns. But because these chemicals are still in common use in the US and your neighbors haven't stopped using them, you are reluctant to be the first to stop.
Will I have a lawn full of weeds? Will my neighbors complain? Will it lower my property value?
Organic lawn care experts will generally admit that you will not immediately have a weed-free space with uniform green grass of exactly the same texture and type (ie. same species) across the whole lawn without using herbicides and other chemicals. However, there are effective methods to control weeds that can be used successfully, particularly as part of a long term program to ensure your lawn is healthy and looks great. Spraying iron-rich solutions in the spring, spreading corn gluten meal to inhibit weed germination, and watering and aerating intentionally are some of the techniques used very effectively in Minnesota where our short summer and relatively extreme climate has to be considered.
It's a personal decision for everyone, but increasingly in Stillwater we are seeing yards where a few dandelions and some flowering clover are welcomed for the benefits they have for pollinators. In fact many homeowners are now seeding clover into their lawns and putting up a 'Pollinator Friendly Lawn' sign to explain to neighbors what they are doing. Realtors are also seeing an uptick in interest in more natural gardening spaces, and these can be a selling point for your home, especially for families with young children. The lockdown of 2020 saw a big increase in growing food at home, and if you are doing that, the last thing you want is toxic herbicides in your yard.
Even if you don't decide to move immediately to stop spraying herbicides altogether, a simple first step is to stop treating the whole yard and move instead to spot treatment of problem areas. Talk to your lawn care professional about that, or consider a fully organic program. And take a look as you walk around town and reconsider what a beautiful yard means.
Just be aware than when you choose the "Organic" option with many lawn service providers, they are just switching out the chemical fertilizer for an organic-based fertilizer, but they will continue to spray chemical weed control. It can be quite a surprise for folks who thought they were getting an organic service. Ask about "truly organic" or "fully organic" programs if you want to go with the natural non-toxic approach.