Caring for Your Lawn Doesn’t Have to Be a Pain in the Grass!
The only way to reduce a dependence on chemical fertilizers is to develop a healthy lawn which is naturally resistant to weeds, insects and diseases. If you need to fertilize your lawn more than once a year, consider these environmentally friendly natural ways of improving the natural health of your lawn.
Mow Often, But Not Too Short
Giving your lawn a “Marine cut” is not doing it a favor! Surface roots become exposed, the soil dries out faster and surface aeration is reduced. As a general rule, don’t cut off more than one-third of the grass at any one time. Most turf grass species are healthiest when kept between 2.5 and 3.5” tall.
Leave Clippings on the Lawn
Sometimes
referred to as “grass-cycling,” this provides nutrients equivalent to
one application of fertilizer. Clippings do not cause thatch. Mulching
mowers are also available which help the clippings hide in the grass.
If you mow the lawn before it gets too tall, the clippings left on the
lawn will quickly disappear from view. Of course this technique also
saves hauling yard waste to the landfill — some states have banned yard
waste from landfills.
Control Thatch Build-Up
Thatch
is the accumulation of above-soil runners. When thatch is not removed
from lawns it becomes a breeding ground for lawn diseases, insects, and
weed seeds. You must de-thatch your lawn at least once every two years
to maintain a healthy lawn propagated by the grass. Too much thatch
prevents water and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. You can
reduce thatch with a steel rake, or by renting a de-thatcher which does
a more thorough job. The best time to de-thatch your lawn is late
August or early September.
Observe the Weeds
Dandelions
thrive at a pH level of about 7.5, and are a sign to add gardeners
sulfur to lower the pH. Clover and medic are signs that your lawn may
be nitrogen poor, and needs compost or a nitrogen-weighted fertilizer.
Control
lawn weeds with “corn gluten.” A nontoxic byproduct of corn processing,
corn gluten kills weed seedlings within days of application. It also
adds nitrogen to your soil. Just one application, before weeds emerge,
reduced weed survival by 60%, according to research at Iowa State
University. After several years, this method provides as much as 90%
weed control.
Corn
gluten meal products offer a non-toxic, yet effective alternative to
traditional, chemical-based weed and feed products for weed control in
gardens and lawns, paths and driveways, and safe in storm water run-off.
Granddaddy’s
Summer Lawn Tonic
from the Urban News
1 cup of household ammonia
1 cup of Epsom salt
1 cup of Listerine mouthwash (original formula)
1/2 cup of liquid soap (cheap-cheap-cheap)
2 cans of beer (that’s right, cheap beer!)
Granddaddy
had gardening tips that cost nothing, and were made from items found
around the house. This solution was put into a jar that fit on to a
garden hose (15 to 20 gallon capacity), and covered an area of approx.
2,500 square feet. This tonic controlled bugs, lawn diseases, and also
kept weeds and toadstools to a minimum. The neighbors laughed, but he
had the prettiest healthy green lawn you have ever seen!
