There are many ways to make a improvements to your lawn maintenance without the use of toxic chemicals. These practices are safe for you, your family and pets as well as the natural environment.
Organic methods focus on cultural controls such as aerating and mowing high, which help fortify grass's natural resistance to weeds and pests. They also encourage earthworms to aerate, and leave castings that increase microbial activity and reduce compaction.
Improved Soil Health
Healthy soil provides plants with a wide range of microorganisms that can convert nutrients into soluble food the roots can absorb. A soil that is rich in beneficial microorganisms can make a lawn more resistant to disease and pests.
Water retention is also improved by soil health. This helps the system to be more resilient to drought, and less vulnerable to water shortages.
Organic fertilizers are organic and biodegradable and provide the right amount and quality of essential nutrients like nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) and the phosphorus (P). They release them slowly over time, which helps to promote healthier soil and healthier roots.
The best way to assess the nutrient requirements of your soil is to test your soil that is available at your local University of Rhode Island Extension center at no chemical lawn cost. A soil test can reveal deficiencies in nutrients and determine the amount of a particular mineral, organic, or biostimulant should be used.
Less Fertilizing
Synthetic fertilizers (also known as inorganic fertilizers or chemical fertilizers) were created after WWII to increase crop yields. They are typically made from natural gas, rock fragments, or nitrogen gas.
When applied to soil, inorganic fertilizers quickly give nutrients in the form of nitrate or ammonium ions. The nutrients in these forms are readily available for plants' immediate absorption, which can lead to rapid growth and greenery.
Chemicals can alter the soil's pH balance and cause toxic buildup of some nutrients. They can also cause soil structure and dehydration, which can result in the loss of nutrients and water.
Organic fertilizers improve soil structure and improve its ability to hold water. Over time, organic fertilizers help to increase the activity of soil microorganisms necessary for healthy soil. This improves the plant's health and reduces the need to weed.
Less Weeds
If your lawn is chemical-free, weeds are less likely to grow. It's also a safer area for pets and kids to play.
A lawn that is free of weeds is more durable over the long term. When chemicals are used to manage weeds, it can strip the soil of its natural ability to combat the weeds.
The weeds will begin to outcompete the healthy grass, causing problems such as dandelions and crabgrass.
It's also an excellent idea to cut your lawn a bit higher than normal and then cut off more leaves per day so that the grass's roots are able to replenish them with food reserves.
Another effective way to fight weeds is to add organic mulches to the soil. Adding organic mulches to the soil with straw or bark mulch and grass clippings can help keep weeds away and add nutrients.
Better retention of water
The soil in a chemical-free lawn will be better able to retain and drain water since it is richer in organic matter than in a soil that is heavily fertilized with synthetic fertilizers. This stops the runoff from contaminating groundwater or surface water, as well as the habitats of animals.
Healthy soils are also beneficial for the environment since they help hold carbon in the atmosphere, which is a key protection against climate change. Additionally healthy soils are full of beneficial microbes that break down and release nutrients from waste products.
This makes a lawn self-sufficient since the nutrients it requires can be stored and utilized when required. A soil test can determine whether your soil is deficient in essential minerals. This is easily fixed by applying mineral supplements. These can be made with natural sources like seaweed extract or fish oil, kelp, fish emulsion, or plant hormones.