Since the provincial government passed the Ontario Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act in 2009 -- which banned the sale and use of more than 250 products and 80 pesticide ingredients -- the City has adopted an “Integrated Plant Health Care” strategy to increase the heartiness of grass and deter weed growth where possible. The following steps are taken by the City to combat weed growth, while remaining compliant with The Act:

• Adjusting the frequency and timing of when City-owned lawns are cut, to reduce the number of weeds that spread seeds (dandelions flower in both May and August).
• Mowing grass at a 3 to 4” height to promote stronger grass roots, create shade at the soil level, and discourage the germination of seeds to weeds.
• Increasing the fertilizing and aerating of high-traffic grass areas.
• Treating hard surface areas such as walkways with a high-pressure steam system called “Aquacide” to control the spread of weeds.
• Covering garden and shrub areas with mulch to help retain water and prevent weed seeds from coming in contact with soil.
• Through the development planning process, trees are replacing some of our shrub borders in new developments to reduce the areas prone to weed growth.
• Reducing the number of hard surfaces utilizing unit pavers, which permit weed growth along seams between the pavers.
• In the areas where the above-mentioned methods are not practical, City staff will manually/mechanically remove weeds.
• Using applications of non-banned substances (fatty acids) to control weed growth on hard and granular surfaces in parks and on selected sports fields.