MGG transformed a schoolyard of weeds and bare soil to a dense, resilient grass field without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Since the fall of 2022, Midwest Grows Green’s (MGG) Technical Assistance Program has helped Ray Elementary School in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood to restore a section of their schoolyard using sustainable, pesticide-free landscape management. Vytas
natural lawn care
Green Shield Certified for Landscapes
Three companies pilot the first sustainable landscaping certification in the U.S. Madison, Wisconsin, April 10, 2023 – Three companies have taken action to eliminate harmful chemical exposure to people, pets and pollinators by achieving Green Shield Certified (GSC) for Landscapes recognition. The companies of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, Natural Communities, LLC and Dig Right In Landscaping,
Spring Lawn Care FAQ
Despite the snow, MGG’s Ryan Anderson looks ahead by answering your spring lawn care questions. Why is spring lawn care important? Proper spring lawn preparation will set down turfgrass roots that store nutrients and hormones so grass can survive drought conditions in the summer. Your lawn will risk dying if grass does not have deep
Six things to look forward to on October 26th
Midwest Grows Green (MGG) invites you to our Sustainable Landscaping Workshops on October 26th to learn strategies and practices that reduce synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. See below for our list of the most intriguing workshop topics: The Morning Session: Natural Lawn Care Topic #1: Healthy Soil Equals Healthy Grass- Sustainable landscaping starts with nurturing healthy and
The River Forest Park District wants you to enjoy their pesticide-free parks!
For the seventh year, the River Forest Park District (RFPD) will manage its fields and grounds free of environmental and health concerns for children, pets and wildlife by not applying lawn pesticides. “The Park District strives to keep our parks a healthy place for everyone to enjoy,” said Michael Sletten, RFPD’s Executive Director. “We hope
MGG Technical Assistance in Action: City of Elgin
Elgin’s turfgrass at Lords Park struggled to grow in rocky, compacted and thin soil. MGG’s Technical Assistance Program implemented soil restoration to improve the environment for plant growth this fall. This year, our Technical Assistance Program (TAP) had the opportunity to transition a portion of the City of Elgin’s historic Lords Park away from synthetic
What do you want in a lawn?
Help researchers in Illinois develop informational resources about natural lawn care: Fill out a survey and enter to win an iPad! Whether or not we realize it, the actions we take to care for our lawns affect the environment. As lawn care relates to water quality, pesticides and fertilizers added to the lawn can runoff
MGG Sit-Downs: Hear a pesticide reduction success story from advocate Amy Joyce!
Amy Joyce, the Co-Founder and Director of Healthy Communities Project, has worked to reduce the synthetic lawn pesticide use in her community of Whitefish Bay, WI, for many years and played a vital role in establishing the Buckley, School House, and Klode Parks as pesticide-free zones. On October 29th, Amy will share her experiences working with the
I Spy Green!
Retailers across Greater Chicago share eco-friendly lawn & garden product information Sunday, May 6th. Enter in any one of 21 Midwest Grows Green (MGG) hardware and garden stores on Chicago Grows Green (CGG) Retailer Day, Sunday, May 6th and you will find the products and tools needed to manage your lawn and garden with limited
Chicago Grows Green
During Chicago Grows Green Week communities, advocates, and nonprofits envision a future Chicago landscape without synthetic lawn chemicals. No pesticides, no “Keep off the Grass” signs, and no environmental and health risks. That’s the future the Midwest Pesticide Action Center (MPAC), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and many others hope to demonstrate during Chicago Grows Green
