Redefining the “Perfect Lawn”

June 15, 2023
• Needham uses Integrated Pest Management to limit its use of pesticides, which means a healthier environment for residents.

It is the height of the growing season, and people are clamoring to enjoy their time outside. In the suburbs, this often means working to create the perfect outdoor oasis. However, many things seem to stand in the way. Either the grass won’t cooperate, or that wasps nest is back again, or…what has been eating our tomatoes this time?!? The temptation is to run for that box of fertilizer, or bug bomb, but those come with some heavy health and environmental impacts. We spoke with the Town’s Superintendent of Parks and Forestry, Ed Olsen. No stranger to pursuing lush lawns and tough turf, he walks us through steps using Integrated Pest Management to care for the Town most treasured fields and parks.

This story ran as part of the Needham Channel News, a weekly newscast airing on The Needham Channel every Thursday at 7:30pm. The Needham Channel News can be found on the Community Channel: Comcast 9, Astound 15 and Verizon 29. Most Thursdays it also can be viewed on our HD Channel on Verizon 2129, Astound 613 and streaming on this site.