Going Organic in Boston: What to Expect

The Organic Reality Check

Switching to organic means accepting imperfection:

• Some weeds, crabgrass, insects, grubs will appear.
• Lawn won't look like a golf course.
• Problems are seasonal—often resolve with weather changes.

Core Organic Practices

1. Feed soil, not plant: Compost, meals (soy, alfalfa), kelp.
2. Mow high (3.5–4"): Shades weeds, deeper roots.
3. Water deep, infrequent: 1" per week in one shot.
4. Overseed annually: Fall is best—thick grass crowds weeds.
5. Core aerate yearly: Relieves compaction, improves biology.

Resources

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Assoc.) – nofa.org – sells the Organic Lawn & Turf Handbook, the gold standard for our region.