Organic Lawn Care: Realistic Expectations and Practices

A Pennsylvania homeowner seeks organic fertilizer, weed killer, and insect control for lawn and garden.

The expert gives a balanced view: Organic fertilizers (e.g., Milorganite, composted poultry manure) work well, releasing nutrients slowly. Organic weed killers (vinegar-based "Burnout") are non-selective, killing grass too; corn gluten meal often fails as crabgrass preventer. Organic insect controls are in development but results are sporadic.

Philosophy: accept some weeds, feed soil organically, let natural selection weed out susceptible grasses, re-seed with tough varieties. The lawn won't look like a chemical fairway, but it'll be healthier and eco-friendly.