Should You Use Chemicals On Your Lawn? Readers Weigh In [Block Talk]

Several Patch readers responding to our informal Block Talk survey said the less green grass in a lawn, the better for the environment. Vegetable gardens are one alternative for backyard space.

Readers who responded to our spring lawn care question for Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column Block Talk talked smack about toxic chemicals but don’t appear inclined to get up in their neighbors’ business about it.

We asked a two-fold question:

• How do you talk to your neighbors about their weeds?
• How can you — or should you — change the culture in your neighborhood to chemical-free lawn care?

Tracy, a Duluth (Georgia) Patch reader, has surrendered to the weeds.

“I don’t,” Tracy said of the best way to approach neighbors about their weeds. “My yard is only weeds, due to neighbors over the years not maintaining their yards.”

Other readers embrace weeds.

“I am a person who loves dandelions and believes the grass gives a beautiful backdrop to the yellow dandelion,” said Enfield (Connecticut) Patch reader Jo. “I think manicured lawns look uninspiring. I am someone who would help a neighbor if something was truly a weed. Not something like removing dandelions just because it is categorized as a weed. Dandelions are beautiful flowers in my opinion.

“I tell people how toxic these chemicals are and how it is a waste of money,” Jo continued. “The only way you should be removing any weed is if it is invasive, such as Asiatic bittersweet, and it should be pulled by hand. People need to get off their behinds and get closer to nature, more manual labor and less motorized equipment.”

Others figuratively stay off others’ lawns, mostly.

“Someone who considers weeds to be worth a confrontation has way too much time and/or money on their hands! Must be nice!” said Althea, a Westmont (Illinois) Patch reader. “I’ll mind my own business, thanks. Way bigger fish to fry. ...”

“I figure it’s none of my business,” said Milford (Massachusetts) Patch reader DT, who went on to say, “However, I encourage them to consider removing invasive non-native plants and shrubs.”

If you feel you must say something, at least be lighthearted, said Joe, a Woodbridge (New Jersey) Patch reader. Start with a joke, such as “I think I’m spending more time on these weeds than on my own kids,” he advised.

Danbury (Connecticut) Patch reader Diane’s front lawn is a native meadow. “I lead by example: mowing only pathways, including native plants (predominantly) into the unmown sections, which allows pollinators and tick predators to enjoy the space,” she said.

Diane speaks the sweet truth, hoping to influence others to abandon chemicals. “I mention nicely what the chemicals are doing,” she said. That gives her the standing to “insist that I be notified of any chemical applications from neighbors.”

Although she frowns on the grass lawns of her neighbors and the chemicals they use to keep them lush, Des Plaines (Illinois) Patch reader Mary Ann hopes to win them over to her side in time.

“Native plants, beautiful pollinators, and food crops done in an aesthetic way do wonders to win over neighbors over time,” she said.

‘2nd Head’ A High Price

Bill, a Chatham (New Jersey) Patch reader, lives in an area where neighbors don’t interact, and professional landscapers do the lawn work.

“As for me, I learned long ago that ‘today’s dandelion flowers are tomorrow’s seed heads,’ so I pick them out immediately when I see them. Where I used to have tons of them, now I only get a handful each spring,” Bill said.

“I’m amazed at the chuckleheads that have chemicals spread all over their lawns every other week. Don’t they realize they are tracking that poison into their homes?” he said, wryly adding, “I hope they like that second head emerging on their shoulder.”

“Every chemical on one’s lawn seeps into the water table or runs off into the beautiful waterways surrounding our island,” said Miller Place-Rocky Point (New York) Patch reader Island Girl. “An artificially lush lawn is a large price to pay for your family and neighbors’ health, not to mention your domestic and wild furry friends.”

Wauwatosa (Wisconsin) Patch reader Lisa thinks neighborhood conversations about the long-term effect of herbicides and pesticides on the environment, people or pets.

“I see a lot of people walk their dogs (repeatedly) on freshly sprayed grass, completely ignoring the warning flags,” Lisa said. The flags indicate it is sprayed with poison, and no pets or people should walk on it. Yet, they do it. Can people really be that stupid?! Yes. So talk to your neighbors.”

‘Go Naked’ In Lawn Care

Mike, a Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills (Michigan) Patch reader, stopped using chemicals last year as an experiment. He used a weeding tool to pull up dandelions and removed creeping Charlie by hand to keep it from encroaching on the neighbor’s lawn.

“I intend to continue to go naked this year as well knowing I will be hand weeding,” Mike said. “As we live in a riparian zone, it’s best not to use fertilizer or weed killers.”

He added, “Fortunately, I’m not a perfectionist.”

“We are the ones who never use any treatments on our lawn — and our neighbors have never raised questions or concerns,” said New Jersey Patch reader BES. “In fact, we all laugh about the fact that our property lines look like an ad from O.M. Scott lawn seed company showing the lawns ‘with’ and the one ‘without.’”

At the same time, BES reminds neighbors that they’re all dependent on wells and septic systems.

“More and more studies have shown that our lawn chemicals do end up percolating down to our groundwater and aquifer,” BES said. “But most still want ‘nice’ lawns.”

Brookfield (Connecticut) Patch reader JM is part of a group creating pollinator pathways, doesn’t use any chemicals and still has a well-kept lawn.

“I encourage people to reduce the size of their lawn,” JM said. “Fertilizer should only be applied after doing a soil test to determine if it is, in fact, needed. Weeds can be removed by hand or mown. There is absolutely no need to apply toxic chemicals, and even organic chemicals are toxic to bees and other beneficial insects.”

Change ‘Happening On Its Own’

Marianne, who reads Montgomeryville-Lansdale (Pennsylvania) Patch, said there’s no need to stir up neighbors or try to change how they care for their lawns.

“This is happening gradually on its own as younger, more diverse families move into the neighborhood with less interest or time for lawn care,” Marianne said. “It is March, and there are homes where the fall leaves are still on the ground.”

Lemont (Illinois) Patch reader JR’s neighbors pay landscapers to maintain turfgrass and “spray copious amounts of herbicide on anything else that grows.”

JR thinks kids should be taught basic biology and ecology concepts “that are nonexistent to the average aging homeowner.”

“Just because it ‘worked’ in the 1970s and 80s does not mean it will work a quarter of the way through the 21st century. If people managed land in accordance with the native ecology (i.e., pre-human development) there would be a diminished need to be spraying so much glyphosate on ‘weedy’ plants.”

Jessica, a Leesburg (Virginia) Patch reader, said she is the “lone holdout” in her town house block and “prefers to stay natural.”

“It would be nice but unrealistic to think that most will change their opinions on chemical lawn care,” Jessica said. “I wish there were more options that were not harmful. Also, when you have more weeds/natural plants, you do need to make sure you’re cutting often so it doesn't get nasty and out of control.”

“I definitely think we all need to be more mindful of the dangerous chemicals being used in our yards,” said
Sunshine, a Canton-Sixes (Georgia) Patch reader. “I live on a lake, so I’m looking for more fish-friendly ways to control poison ivy and other pesty weeds.

“I’ve been researching herbs and have come to realize that most of the so-called weeds are actually herbs, many even medicinal herbs.” Sunshine said. “Putting vinegar on weeds is a natural way to kill them in your yard. Only spray the single plants, not grass.”

Would You Mow Once A Year?

Douglas, a Massachusetts Patch reader, encourages his neighbors to mow their lawns only once a year, calling the practice “the most responsible and attractive thing to do.”

“‘Weed’ is the wrong word,” he said. “Wild plants of all kinds are beautiful, not just dandelions. Let wild plant, bugs, birds, and other wildlife grow and marvel at the natural display, which is so much more interesting than mowed turfgrass.”

Bill, a West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch reader, isn’t about to approach his neighbors about their weeds.

“Their weeds are my friends,” he said, adding that the best way to change the culture of lawn care in a neighborhood is to lead by example.

“For 38 years here, I’ve never used chemicals. I have weeds and multiple varieties of grasses. Stays green all year, even in drought. I’ve noticed neighbors around me using far less chemicals or even none like me, so I guess it's working,” he said.

Agreed, said Bethel (Connecticut) Patch reader Jay.

“If neighbors see that not having much of a lawn at all is a viable alternative that takes less care once established, they may be more willing to try it themselves,” Jay said. “I have lots of shrubs, perennials, and grasses, and I spend only a few minutes a week string-trimming the remnants of lawn. I don’t use any pesticides.

“When people driving by and neighbors see the beauty and ease of maintenance, perhaps they'll consider having less grass too!”

‘She Is A Weed To Me’

Better lawn care through chemicals had defenders, too.

“I moved to this neighborhood because of the nice homes and landscaping. I want the neighbors to control their weeds and keep things tidy,” said Melch, an Across America Patch reader.

Not everyone honors the neighborhood code.

“I have a neighbor that never does any weed control. I offered to spray for free the areas that meet with my yard,” Melch said. “At first she agreed, then she told me to stay off her lawn. Now I spend more money and apply more chemicals to keep my lawn looking nice.”

Melch said the neighbor hasn’t controlled the Canadian thistle in her yard and it has spread to neighbors’ yards.

“She is a weed to me,” Melch said. “Now, I just watch and see how long before she has no grass at all. I use chemicals that are safe for wildlife. I love chemicals.”

Darien (Connecticut) Patch reader Keith said it’s not his place to tell his neighbors how to take care of their lawns, but clearly doesn’t think much of it.

“If they want their yard to have weeds, then they can have a yard that looks bad,” Keith said, but “as long as the weeds are kept mowed,” he’ll deal with it.

“Anyone can use chemicals to reach this goal,” Keith said. “Cleaners used inside are chemicals and are safe if used properly. Pesticides used outside are not a problem.”

Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Junie said she thinks more people are looking for organic or chemical-free weed control options but doesn’t expect the culture of lawn care to change substantially.

“Communities will always want to look clean and inviting,” she said. “Until suburbs and HOAs get rid of their rules about what people’s yards can/should look like, the culture will not change.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is an exclusive Patch series on neighborhood etiquette — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “Block Talk” as the subject line.

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