Resources for Non-Toxic Lawn Care

• Organic lawn care services in the Madison, WI area

  The Healthy Lawn Team does not endorse specific businesses and is not responsible for the quality of service. Though we regularly update the list, it is subject to change. Some businesses will offer toxic herbicides if asked to apply them, however we strongly discourage this method of weed control.

  • Bando Organics LLC Lawn and Landscape
  (Also a source for compost tea)
  Jay Anderson - (608) 255-1079 or 698-1146
  

  • Harmony Lawn Care
  Neil Anderson - (608) 255-0590

  • Steven R. Bassett Inc.
  Steve Vicent - (608) 233-6152

  • Eco-Lawn Services
  Joe Zillmer - (608) 492-0202
  www.eco-lawnservices.com

• Suggestions on how/where to get compost for your lawn

  • Applications of live, active compost tea available from Bando Organics, see above.

  • We know of no safe, commercial source of compost. Although some people use the compost available from the Dane County Compost Sites (Verona and Westport) it has unknown source material and the piles are not maintained as active.

  • The best source is to make your own. See the DNR website for information:
  http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/publications/anewpub/wa182.pdf

• A list of organic herbicides (weed killers)

  All listed here are contact herbicides, not systemic. They will kill both weeds and grass. Use them as spot treatments or for a complete kill.

  • BurnOut II is a mixture of acetic acid, citric acid, and clove oil. St. Gabriel Laboratories - http://www.stgl.us/

  • Avenger is a citrus oil based herbicide.
  http://www.naturesavenger.com/

  • Weed-Aside is a blend of naturally occurring fatty acids (soaps).
  Gardens Alive - (513) 354-1482
  www.GardensAlive.com

  • Safers Soap, similar in action to Weed-Aside, is sold at many garden stores. It can be used in lower concentration to kill insects too.

  • Mixing a 20% solution of dish soap will also work to kill weeds.

  • Pour boiling water on young weeds.

  • 20% Horticultural Vinegar. Same as household vinegar but much stronger.
  Bradfield Industries - (417) 882-1442
  www.bradfieldind.com

• Where to get corn gluten meal

  Corn gluten meal is a natural, safe material used as a
  pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer, “weed ‘n feed”. Under precise conditions of soil temperature and rainfall it prevents plants from sprouting. Also sold as animal feed.

  • Middleton Coop
  1755 Pleasant View Road, Middleton
  (608) 831-5921

  • Johannsen’s
  2600 W. Beltline Hwy, Madison
  (608) 271- 6211

  • Jung’s Garden Centers
  1313 Northport Dr., Madison (608) 249-8120
  6194 Nesbitt Road, Madison (608) 271-8900
  1123 N. Bristol, Sun Prairie (608) 825-9390

  • Irish Lanes
  Corner of Fish Hatchery Road and Irish Lane, Fitchburg
  (608) 271-3230
  

  • Check at your town’s local feed mill

  • Garden’s Alive
  (505) 354-1482
  www.GardensAlive.com

• Recommended weed pulling tools (and where to get them)

  Weed pulling tools that you use while standing upright are available at lawn and garden stores and run $20-$35. Some have a grabbing mechanism, and some may also include a plunger to pop out the weed. It is important to find the type that feels good to you. Some examples are:

  • Speedy Weedy
  A.M. Leonard, 800-543- 8955, www.amleo.com

  • Weed Hound
  Ace Hardware, TrueValue Hardware, Home Depot, Farm & Fleet

  • Grampa’s Weeder
  QVC - www.qvc.com
  Ace Hardware Online - www.acehardwareoutlet.com
  Amazon - www.amazon.com

  • UpRoot Weeder
  Gardening with Ease - www.gardeningwithease.com
  Amazon - www.amazon.com
  
  • Weed Twister and EnviroWeeder
  Rittenhouse - www.rittenhouse.ca

  • Long handled corkscrew weeder
  Woodland Direct - www.woodlanddirect.com
  

• Weed burners

  These tools kill weeds by burning them with a hand-held propane torch or flame weeder. Many models have a 34" wand, a shielded flame, and push button start. Buy them at your local hardware store for ~$50-$70. Also available from Gardener's Supply, A.M. Leonard, and Rittenhouse (see above).

• Infrared weeders

  Organic farmers and farmers in Europe sometimes use radiant heat (or infrared) weeders. Other new weed systems work with foam or steam. Search for these on the web.

• Where to buy grass seed

  Low growing grass:
  Many companies sell a low-growing grass seed mix that requires less maintenance and looks more like a meadow. Composed mostly of fine fescues, these mixes work best in part shade and cannot withstand much traffic. They compete well with weeds and do not need frequent mowing.

  • Johannsen's ("Carefree Blend"), see contact info above

  • Jung's ("Carefree Blend"), see contact info above

  • Oak Prairie Farm ("Low Grow")
  Pardeeville
  800-894-3884
  www.oakprairiefarm.com

  • Olds Seed Company
  2901 Packers Ave, Madison
  (608) 249-9291

  • Prairie Nursery ("No Mow")
  Westfield
  800-476-9453
  www.prairienursery.com
  

  • Reinders
  4217 Nakoosa Trail, Madison
  (608) 244-0200

  Grass seed mixes:
  Choose grass seed that is a mix of species for your area and is mixed either for sun or shade. We recommend ‘Madison Parks’ grass seed mix, sold at many local stores. Gardens Alive also sells a northern mix that works well in Madison: (513) 354-1482 or www.GardensAlive.com.

• Where to buy native plants to add to your lawn

  Watch for many native plant sales held in the spring by community organizations. For instance, Friends of the Arboretum sells plants in early May. Visit farmers markets to find vendors also. Sources include:

  • Bluestem Farm
  Baraboo
  608-356-0179
  www.bluestemfarm.com
  
  • Johannsen's, contact info above
  
  • Jung's, contact info above
  
  • Oak Prairie Farm, contact info above
  
  • Prairie Nursery, contact info above