Organic lawn care is a great method to keep your lawn looking its best and also help protect the environment. It's a natural alternative to synthetic lawn chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family.
Making the switch to a natural lawn can take some time however, it's worth the effort. Your lawn will eventually be completely chemical-free.
Weed Control
Organic lawn care programs use natural, chemical-free weed control methods as part of the overall plan. These practices are designed to create an environmentally friendly lawn that requires minimal maintenance and is able to outcompete in weeds and keep weeds out in the first place.
Organic weed control is usually slightly more challenging than conventional methods for controlling weeds however, with the right techniques and patience you can have a healthy lawn without using any chemicals. There are a variety of alternatives to control weeds that are organic. We will focus on four of the most common.
Vinegar is a common method of controlling the growth of weeds. As an organic weed-control agent, you can use straight acetic acid (available in hardware stores) or horticultural-white vinegar. The key is to spot treat weeds as soon as they appear, and then apply an agent like liquid dish soap to assist the vinegar to stick to the weeds. Repeated applications are necessary because household vinegar is not strong enough for killing the weeds on its own.
Fertilization
Fertilizer is one of the components of an organic lawn program that delivers nutrients and improves the soil's structure. Your organic lawn's success depends on the type of fertilizer you use.
Your lawn needs nitrogen. Organic fertilizers provide nitrogen in a slow release form which minimizes the risk of leaking into waterways.
Natural organic fertilizers release nitrogen via microbial activity that takes place in warm, moist soils. This release is most effective during the summer and late spring, when soil microbes are at their highest levels of activity.
You can also make use of compost as part of an organic lawn program. It can improve the structure of sandy and clay-based soils, trapping and reducing the release of unused nutrients.
It can also help to remove pesticides from the lawn. It could also be beneficial to add compost to the soil after applying chemical fertilizers.
Watering
It is vital to water your lawn as part of an organic plan. The best time to water is in the morning, when the sun is low and the temperature is cool.
Additionally that watering in the evening will promote composting which is beneficial to soil health and weed control. It also reduces water runoff into rivers and streams.
The transition from a conventional yard to an organic one will require more effort and it could take a few years for your lawn to reach its full potential. It will require commitment to organic practices such as improving the quality of soil by increasing the height of mowing, and incorporating organic fertilizers into the landscape. It will require lots of knowledge that includes a comprehensive knowledge of pests and weeds and how to manage them naturally. The result will be a green, lush lawn that is safe and healthy for people and pets.
Mowing
Mowing your lawn is important to keep the grass at the proper height, reducing water loss and helping the soil to retain moisture. Longer grass shades the soil, which helps prevent weed seed germination and reduces the risk of developing diseases.
Natural fertilizer can also be obtained from grass clippings. Soil microbes convert the nutrients from your clippings into plant-available forms.
A healthy soil microbe population can increase the capacity of soil to retain water and increase its permeability. This is particularly important in areas with seasonal drought.
Start by getting your soil tested by a local extension agency, which is often associated with a state university or a commercial soil testing firm. This will allow you to identify any nutrient or mineral deficiencies in your soil and will help you decide on the most effective organic amendments to improve your soil's fertility.