On April of 2004, a new City of Toronto bylaw came into effect restricting the use of pesticides on public and private properties. Enforcement of this bylaw is being phased in:
- For lawn care companies and other commercial pesticide applicators, tickets in the amount of $255 may be issued for non-compliance beginning September 1, 2005
- For residents, inspectors are providing educational materials and issuing warnings if pesticides have been used. As of September 1, 2007 tickets in the amount of $255 may be issued
The City has been providing the public with educational materials on the health and environmental benefits of this bylaw. Public education also includes various naturalized gardening methods. With the financial support of Toronto Public Health, TCEL had organized a series of workshops, information tables as well as store tours during the summer of 2005.
You can help!
There are a number of simple things you can do to avoid the use of pesticides:
- Setting your lawn mower at a high level (7.5cm/3 inchs). Longer grass holds moisture better and shades the soil that nourishes it, leading to longer and hardier roots
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn, grasscycle, to conserve moisture and fertilizer
- Water deeply in one session, 1 to 1.5 inches weekly, to encourage deep root growth
- Perform core aeration on your lawn to aid air, water and compost getting to plant and grass roots
- Thicken your lawn and crowd out weeds, spread grass seeds and compost in spring or fall
- Use organic fertilizer to keep your soil healthy
Publications by TCEL
- Toronto’s Pesticides Bylaw
- Natural Approach to Lawn Care
