When it comes to keeping your lawn lush, green, and healthy, homeowners have two major options – use a natural lawn care company that focuses on organic methods or hire a conventional lawn care company that relies more heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Two of the biggest names in each category are Natural lawn of America and TruGreen. But which is better for your yard? Let’s take a detailed look at what each company offers.
Comparison Overview
| Aspects | Natural lawn of America | TruGreen |
| Methods | Organic fertilization, natural weed control, enviromentally safe pesticides | Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides |
| Cost | $45-90 per treatment | $30-80 per treatment |
| Application Frequency | Every 6-8 weeks | Every 6-8 weeks |
| Contracts | Not required | Annual contracts required |
| Additional Services | Soil testing, overseeding, aeration | Tree and shrub care, mosquito treatment |
| Safety | Very safe for people, pets, environment | Use of synthetic chemicals controversial |
| Sustainability | Excellent – improves soil health over time | Poorer – some environmenal concerns over runoff |
As we dive into the details, you’ll notice Natural Lawn focuses more creating healthy soil biology and promoting natural growth, while TruGreen takes a more traditional approach with the use of synthetic chemicals. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each method.
How Natural Lawn of America Works?
Natural Lawn promotes sustainable, organic lawn care techniques centered around building healthy soil. Their fertilizers derive from natural sources like bone meal, blood meal, alfalfa meal, and compost extracts rather than synthetic nitrogen and salts.
They focus on improving soil biology and creating lush turf conditions where grass outcompetes weeds naturally.
Some key things to know about Natural Lawn’s organic approach:
- Soil testing – Tests each yard to understand soil chemistry and customize amendments
- Overseeding – Routs dead spots and overseeds with elite grass varieties
- Natural fertilization – Uses organic meals, compost extracts, and microorganisms
- Weed control – Spot spray vinegar-based herbicide, hand weeding, overseeding
- Insect control – Uses OMRI certified pesticides from natural ingredients
- Aeration – Annual core aeration for better nutrient delivery
The main benefits of Natural Lawn’s organic program are excellent safety, long-term lawn health, and sustainability. Research shows organically managed lawns grow deeper roots, retain more moisture, and outcompete weeds better than conventionally maintained grass.
Soil biology and tilth improve over time rather than degrade. And there are no concerns over synthetic chemical runoff into local watersheds.
The only downsides are that organic treatments may cost more than synthetic chemicals upfront. Homeowners also need to be a bit more patient to see results. But most agree the investment is worthwhile for beautiful, safe, eco-friendly turf.
How TruGreen Works?
As the largest conventional lawn care company in the country, TruGreen takes a more traditional approach relying on synthetic fertilizers and weed/pest controls. Technicians follow an annual lawn care plan, making scheduled visits every 6-8 weeks during the growing season to apply products.
TruGreen offers several annual service plans that include:
- Fertilization – Typically 4-6 treatments with synthetic slow-release nitrogen
- Weed control – Selective herbicides target broadleaf weeds and crabgrass
- Insect control – Granular chemicals and liquid sprays to control grubs and surface pests
- Seed and repairs – Overseeding, patching, or full renovation as needed
- Soil amendment – Optional pH balancer and soil conditioner add-ons
- Tree and shrub care – Additional spray service available
The main advantages of TruGreen are convenience and low upfront costs. As the industry leader, they offer reliable service at competitive rates. The synthetic chemicals work quickly to green up grass and eliminate weeds and insects. You’ll typically see faster results compared to all-natural products.
Potential downsides are safety and environmental concerns, lawn decline over time, and being locked into annual contracts. Some municipalities have banned common chemicals like 2,4-D and dicamba.
There are also worries over chemical runoff into local ecosystems from frequent synthetic treatments. Many homeowners have reported worsening soil conditions, disease outbreaks, and dead grass after prolonged use of TruGreen services.
Pros of Natural Lawn of America
- Safe for people, pets, and the planet – No worries over chemical exposures or environmental impacts
- Produces healthier, more robust turf – Organically managed lawns have deeper roots, thicker blades, and better resilience
- Improves soil biology and nutrients – Regular applications enhance soil microbiome activity and tilth
- No annual contracts – Freedom to cancel anytime
- Eco-friendly reputation – Growing demand for safe, sustainable lawn care
- Customizable service – Programs tailored to each yard’s specific needs after soil testing
- Provides long-term solutions – Strengthens grass plants and soil to outcompete weeds naturally
Cons of Natural Lawn of America
- Higher upfront costs – Organic treatments typically cost more than synthetic chemicals
- Results take longer – Homeowners need more patience as soil biome develops over multiple seasons
- More labor-intensive – Technicians often hand pull weeds rather than quick broadleaf herbicide sprays
- Occasional odors – Some organic amendments like fish emulsions initially smell bad when applied
- ** Regional franchises** – Quality, pricing, and service level can vary across different areas
Pros of TruGreen
- Convenience and reliability – Longstanding national company with automated seasonal application
- Low upfront prices – Subsidized costs and bulk purchasing allow very competitive rates
- Quicker greenup and weed control – Synthetic chemicals offer rapid visible results
- Additional service options – Tree/shrub care, mosquito treatments, lawn upgrades like turf coatings
- National training standards – Technicians receive centralized credentialing education
Cons of TruGreen
- Safety issues – Controversy over health and environmental impacts of synthetic chemicals
- Soil degradation over time – Frequent salt-based fertilizers damage microbial life, cause thatch buildup issues
- Annual contracts – Auto-renewing agreements can be difficult to cancel
- Browning, die-off, and disease – Over-application of chemicals linked to turf decline
- One-size-fits-all plans – Programs not customized to each lawn’s needs and soil biology
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Natural Lawn employs organic, natural treatments to fertilize lawns and control weeds and pests. This includes organic meal amendments like bone, blood, or alfalfa meals which slowly break down to provide nitrogen. They also apply compost teas and extracts containing beneficial microbes. And they use OMRI certified pesticide oils and soaps made from plants to manage insects. Vinegar-based sprays or manual hand-weeding handles most weed issues.
Yes, Natural Lawn’s organic treatments pose no risk to family pets like dogs. Since no harsh synthetic chemicals are used, there are no concerns over burns, illness, or toxicity. Pet waste even contributes healthy nitrogen to organically managed lawns. Always following label precautions, Natural Lawn’s products are entirely non-toxic for children and animals at approved application rates.
Natural Lawn of America is family-owned and operated by three generations of the Souther family based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2001 by Glenn Souther, his son Keith now serves as company President overseeing franchises in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Florida. The company pioneered eco-friendly turf care using advanced soil biology nutrients and microorganisms.
TruGreen was founded in 1989 under the name ServiceMaster Lawn Care. In 1998, it merged with rival ChemLawn which originally popularized the systematic lawn treatment franchise model in 1977. The combined company then unified branding under the TruGreen name in 2000. Known today simply as Tru Green, the company remains one of the country’s most prominent lawn care names.
Closing Remarks
When considering Natural Lawn vs TruGreen, either service will provide the basics of fertilization, weed control, and pest management required to maintain a nice-looking lawn.
But Natural Lawn’s organic approach focused on soil health provides the most well-rounded benefits long-term.
Though initial treatment costs are higher, you get superior safety, sustainability, and better grass density over years of use. Ultimately, investing a bit more upfront in Natural Lawn’s customized, eco-friendly service pays back with vibrant, low-maintenance turf for decades to come.
The bottom line – if you value safety, sustainability, and promoting rich soil biology, choose a local Natural Lawn franchise. For fast results at lowest cost, TruGreen offers efficiency.
But buyer beware of risks from prolonged synthetic chemical dependence. Evaluate all aspects and make the best decision for your home ecosystem!
