Control weeds and grubs by tweaking your lawn care routine. Start with cutting back on the cutting! Mowing at a taller height promotes root growth and improved drought tolerance, which in turn, means using less chemicals on your lawn. In fact, if you combine mowing high with modest applications of fertilizer, and watering during dry periods, you may not need to use any pesticides on your lawn. Start slow and establish a healthy lawn. Mow high and water during dry spells for at least one year before tapering off the pesticide applications.