News release

Tips to Keep Your Lawn Healthy

Environment (April 2008 - Feb. 2021)

NOTE: The following is a feature story about healthy lawns.


A healthy lawn has many benefits, and spring and summer are good times to develop healthy lawn habits. Here are a few simple steps that will help you keep your lawn healthy and help eliminate weeds.

You don't have to use herbicides (a type of pesticide) to get rid of weeds. In fact, treating your lawn with pesticides is rarely necessary. By taking some simple steps, you can keep your lawn healthy without using pesticides.

Hand weeding is an option. You may also want to consider growing other plants, such as ground covers that are adapted to the area. A variety of plants adds to the appeal of your lawn and garden and they will attract birds and beneficial insects that are often fun to watch.

Save your clippings instead of bagging them. They're a good source of nitrogen and the worms and insects that break them down help aerate the soil. These organisms also mix organic and mineral matter in the soil and create air pockets and channels for water and air to pass through.

Bare or damaged spots on the lawn are favorite spots for weeds to start. If your lawn has a bare spot, overseed the area and top it with soil or compost.

Make sure your lawn is getting enough water. Once established, lawns need 2.5 centimetres (one inch) of water once a week to maintain healthy root systems.

Mowing is also important. Keep your mower blade sharp. Mow high by cutting grass at a height of 6-8 cm (2.5 to three inches). This will help your lawn develop a deep extensive root system, grow thicker blades and retain more soil moisture.

A healthy deep-rooted lawn will help smother weeds and keep them from growing and germinating. It can also resist pests, drought, temperature extremes and general wear and tear. This will reduce the need to use pesticide products.

If you are considering pesticides for your lawn or garden, please make sure they are on the Department of Environment's List of Allowable Pesticides, available at http://gov.ns.ca/nse/pests/non-essential.pesticides.asp.