Organic Lawn Care
Do you want a more natural approach to a beautiful lawn free from pesticides? If so, then you are not alone. A growing environmental awareness has led. many people to search for organic lawn care solutions. This approach encourages the use of natural or organic fertilizers and amendments to restore soil vitality and organic matter levels.
A well-planned organic lawn is one that has healthy soils, which in turn promote deep-rooted grass. This grass is able to withstand changes in environmental conditions such as drought, be robust enough to crowd out weeds, and effectively stand against occasional pests. When one combines these ideas with sound cultural and maintenance practices it is possible to create a beautiful and healthy lawn, with many benefits to our families and friends, our pets, the environment and even our wallets.
Steps Toward Organic Lawn Care
Assessment
With an accurate assessment, we can help you take the steps towards a more ecologically friendly lawn care routine. We will evaluate overall landscape conditions, noting weeds, bare spots, uniformity, compaction, sunlight and drainage issues, as well as the usage of the landscape and level of maintenance you are willing to give your lawn.
Soil Test
An accurate soil test will tell us what the nutrient levels are, what may be missing, or what is out of balance. It will also indicate soil pH, and note the physical condition. A healthy soil that supports an Ecosystem of micro-organisms is self-sustaining, and organic lawn care will help promote these systems.
Organic Lawn Care Steps
Once we evaluate the assessment and soil test, we can determine the best course of action for you to take. You may need to start your lawn completely over, renew problem areas, or simply transition to a more natural plan. There are many options available, and most recommended plans include:
- Addition of organic compost topdressing that will help improve soil structure, alter pH, add nitrogen, and encourage micro-organism activity
- Use organic fertilizers to add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil
- Compost tea applications up to 3x/year to supply beneficial microorganisms into the soil profile
- Core aeration to break up thatch layers and alleviate soil compaction, and to create pore spaces where water and oxygen can penetrate the soil profile
- Application of corn gluten which also adds nitrogen to the soil, and acts as a pre-emergent, reducing new weeds by up to 60%
- Regular insect and disease monitoring and control, and weed assessment, as these are indications of soil fertility issues, pH and environmental factors that need correcting
Healthy Lawn Basics
Along with a maintenance plan, there are cultural practices that a homeowner should be committed to that encourage a more sustainable, natural lawn. Determining your level of maintenance is a key element in determining the type of care you are willing to take on.
- The most important point is proper mowing to give grass a competitive edge over weeds and avoid disease and insect susceptibility. Higher mowed grass, at a height of 3", shades and cools the soil, prevents weed seed germination and reduces water loss.
- Remove only 1/3 of the blade height at each mowing and leave the grass clippings on the lawn. This ‘grasscycling’ provides enough nitrogen, other nutrients and water back into the soil—equivalent to one application of fertilizer!
- Make sure your mower blades are sharpened. Dull blades tear the grass and create opportunities for insects and diseases.
- Proper watering that is slow, to a depth of 6", and infrequent will stimulate drought
- Resistant root systems by encouraging roots to grow deep. Frequent watering on the other hand will discourage deep roots, and can increase thatch layers.
- Water first thing in the morning so as to not encourage mildew or other fungal infections, and to prevent loss of water due to evaporation.
Is Organic Lawn Care for You?
Organic lawn care is not for everyone. In addition to proper cultural and maintenance practices, the process of rebuilding the soil structure will take anywhere from 3–5 years. However, as the health of the soil improves, it will require less and less management because it will become a self-sustaining process. Lastly, you should be aware that while weeds and other pests can be managed effectively, there is no such thing as a 100% weed-free organic lawn. Often, we will recommend a combination of traditional and organic care that can get you the results that you desire. Depending on your level of maintenance and expectations, we can tailor a lawn care program specifically for you.
