The public perception that no alternative to pesticide use exists is probably the
greatest limitation that these efforts encounter. Surveys tell us that the public has a
reasonably good understanding of the potential environmental dangers of pesticides.
Several surveys indicate that residents do understand environmental concerns about
pesticides, and consistently rank them as the leading cause of pollution in their neigh-
borhoods. Even so, pesticide use still remains high in many urban areas. The time
required for homeowners to learn more about alternative pest control techniques may
also limit educational efforts. Many residents prefer the ease of just spraying a chemi-
cal on their lawns to other pest control measures they perceive as more time intensive
and less reliable.^61Organic Lawn Care—A Viable AlternativeHistorically, organic lawn care has been practiced far longer than chemical lawn
care. From the 1700s to World War II, lawns were maintained without chemicals.
The lawns of eighteenth-century Europe differed dramatically from those that now
cover suburban North America. Mass production of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
during the 1940s ushered in the lawn’s transformation from a collection of various
grasses, legumes, and wildflowers to a sterile monoculture. Since then, the chemical
lawn care industry has grown enormously. Many homeowners now believe that lawns
require chemicals for survival. This simply is not true. A traditional lawn can be
maintained without pesticides. In fact, widespread misuse of pesticides and fertilizers
results in an unhealthy lawn that becomes chemically dependent and highly suscepti-
ble to pests and diseases.
The basic principle of organic lawn care is to nourish the soil. In this way, it differs
fundamentally from chemical lawn care, which focuses on feeding the grass. Restor-
ing and protecting soil health is crucial for the maintenance of a lush, naturally pest-
and disease-resistant lawn. Healthy soil is alive. It contains a diverse collection of
organisms, many too small to see with the naked eye, that interact in complex and
intricate ways. Together, these organisms break down organic matter, make nutrients
available for plant uptake, and aerate the soil. Soil aeration is important for water
storage and air exchanges. Research shows that chemical fertilizers and pesticides de-
grade soil life and decrease the level of biological activity.^62Pesticide Manufacturers and Public Relations EffortsAt least seventy municipalities across Canada have restricted pesticide usage,
including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, and the province of Quebec.
Toronto’s bylaw, for instance, applies to public lands as well as to private homeown-
ers. In the United States, a coalition of twenty consumer and environmental groups
launched a campaign that urges two of the largest home and garden retailers, Home
Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement, to carry more organic lawn care products
and to reconsider the sale of weed-and-feed products to protect the health of chil-
dren, families, pets, and the environment.180 | Pesticides