How To Have A Beautiful Organic Lawn
Every homeowner appreciates the esthetic value that a lush and green lawn brings to his or her home. Although keeping a neat, colorful, and healthy lawn takes time and effort. Chemicals fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used in the lawns might be harmful to your kids and pets. An organic lawn and garden may be the best alternative to help decrease contamination of the environment without forfeiting beauty. In fact, a healthy organic lawn can resist weeds and pest invasion.
If you are considering or already have an organic lawn and you are not sure of how to keep it green and healthy, here are some guidelines.
Get a Soil Test
Most plants have specific pH and nutrient requirements, and lawn grasses are no exception. Most grasses require a pH of between 6 and 7 to flourish. A professional soil test will help determine the acidity or alkalinity levels of the soil, including its chemical composition. Our certified soil specialist will give you advice on how to enrich your soil based on the sample results. Addition of soil amendments without a proper soil testing can cause a burnt and brown lawn.
Fertilize Naturally
Unlike chemical lawn care that focuses on feeding the grass, the guiding principle of organic lawn care is soil nourishment. Proper organic lawn care involves the use of natural and organic products such as well-aged manure, compost, grass clippings, and organic fertilizers.
For example, compost manure can be applied in little amounts during the entire growing season while slow-release organic fertilizers are best applied in early fall or during late summers. Grass clippings are best left on the lawn with the exception of the initial and last mowing. Unlike chemical fertilizers that can kill, burn plants, and contaminate water sources, organic and natural fertilizers do not.
Select the Right Grass
Choose a grass species that ultimately satisfies your needs particularly if you are considering reseeding your lawn. Most grasses differ in character. While some grasses may grow tall and others short; some may like shady environments, and others may want to be always under the sun’s heat. Because of such varying characteristics, you have to research to determine the grass variety that suits your needs. For instance, if your landscape is easily eroded, consider a variety that germinates quickly to protect the soil.
Mow High
Proper mowing is one of the most important tasks to achieve a healthy organic lawn. While most homeowners set their lawnmowers at the shortest possible height hoping to increase the period until they have to mow again, experts recommend a setting of approximately 3-4 inches. Low-height-mowing is not recommended because it exposes the soil to increased moisture evaporation, promotes shallow-root growth and gives room for weeds to flourish.
Water Infrequently, But Deeply
Most homeowners have the misconception that lawns should be watered daily. However, lawn grasses require no more than one-inch of water per week throughout the growing season. Water the lawn early in the morning and not late in the evening because disease favors cooler temperatures.
Aerate and Weed
Aeration reduces compaction and helps nurture the soil. Aeration is best done in spring before fertilization. Aeration promotes air circulation and moisture movement in the soil. Weeding helps create a competition free ecosystem for the grass to thrive. Weeds can be pulled by hand, or removed with special equipment.
Have questions about lawn care? Please ask them in the comment area below or feel free to contact us. Beyond Landscape can help you with your lawn.