Getting Started with Organic
Make the switch from conventional to organic landscaping and just say “no” to the use of toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, both of which harm many of our living systems. Many pesticides are carcinogens and exposure can affect child development and harm pets and wild animals.
Repeated chemical applications, gas-powered equipment, and sprinklers use up resources and are expensive. Cut costs by letting soil organisms, pollinators and beneficial insects, compost, and plants do the work in your landscape.
Learn more with our handy homeowner’s checklist for organic land care and a more detailed Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards. Additional resources can be found on the Professional Resources page.
Going Organic Checklist
Managing your yard as an ecosystem produces a healthy, balanced, and attractive outdoor space with less effort, lower cost, and reduced maintenance. Use this handy checklist to get started.
Intro to Organic Lawns and Yards
This publication is an excellent primer for people interested in making the shift to organic land care practices. Written for the general public, it provides scientific underpinning for organic practices and practical guidance on how to get started.
The Standards for Organic Land Care
The NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes present a vision of how organic agricultural principles can be applied to the landscaping profession, defining "organic" for landscaping as the USDA defines "organic" for agriculture.