Organic lawn care tips

Many gardeners work hard to maintain a beautiful lawn. Unfortunately, some people feel the need to spend money on buying strong chemicals. However, the use of such chemicals results in eye-irritation, skin rash, and even poisoning. Thankfully, the trend is changing, and people are now moving towards organic methods and products to maintain their yards.

Perfect use of these natural products, along with basic lawn-care essentials like fertilizing, cutting, and seeding, can reap fruitful benefits. And, these organic products come with the added benefit of being safe for kids, pets, and the environment.

Are you still wondering how to do it? Read the below tips!

1.    Mow higher

Never make the mistake of cutting your grass close to the ground. To get the perfect height, you can adjust the mower blades to around 4 inches. This technique is ideal for strengthening the roots of the grass. Strong roots mean stronger grass and greater resilience against drought.

In addition, mowing higher can help prevent scalping. Scalping refers to a deeper cut which can make the roots weak. Consequently, they become prone to diseases, insects, and stress. Furthermore, scalping also gives rise to weed growth. Since weed competes with essential nutrients like water and sunlight, it increases the risk of catching diseases.

2.    Aerate the grass

Commonly, homeowners do not give importance to aeration. Aeration is the process of making holes in the soil. They enable the soil to easily absorb all the essential nutrients from fertilizers and compost. 

Bonus Tip: Always aerate the soil in September and October. If you prepare the soil in the fall, it will be ready for robust growth in spring. I got this tip from the gardener, and yes, it worked!

Aeration also helps if your soil is immensely compacted. Compacted soils don’t allow water to drain freely through them. Since water is not drained properly, mold and other infectious diseases will likely appear. Aerating your soil will improve drainage and therefore help prevent mold and infectious diseases.

3.    Don’t overwater

Many gardeners often make the mistake of over-watering their grass. It can become a cause of mold and other severe damages. One big reason is the automatic setting of the sprinkles. Never make this mistake. Always adjust the sprinkles as per the season and water sparingly.

4.    Attract helpful insects

Yes, some insects are highly beneficial for the soil. Instead of using harsh chemicals, using helpful insects is an organic way of improving your lawn health. Some of these insects include honey bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. Other pests like termites, Japanese beetles, and aphids are harmful.

Now, you must be thinking about how insects can be beneficial?

Helpful insects play an active role in breaking down the waste, aerating the soil, and pollinating the plants. You should know the right way to attract these specific insects. For instance, with the help of nectar and pollen, you can attract ladybugs.

5.    Fertilize naturally with lawn clippings

Many of us are in a hurry to do a lawn clean-up right after mowing. Although the lawn will look neat, it’s better to leave these clippings as they are a natural fertilizer. On the other hand, never spread clippings from any other lawn onto your lawn. You never know how it was treated.

Use these grass clippings as a perfect substitute for bagged fertilizer. They will serve as a good source of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for your lawn. Moreover, research shows that 25% of the fertilizer need can be fulfilled with grass clippings.

Leaving clippings on the grass helps in effective growth, fight against diseases, and makes the roots strong. After decomposition, they become a source of food for the bacteria present in the soil. Thus, it creates a healthy environment for growth.

6.    Add compost

Adding compost to your lawn, also called top dressing, is a great way to add essential nutrients, organisms and organic matter to your lawn. Adding compost can also aid in loosening clay and compacted soils. Plan to add compost in the fall before the first frost. Alternatively, add compost in the spring after mowing the lawn for the first time. Aim to top dress with a thin, even layer of compost no more than about 1/2″ deep. 

7.    Seed twice a year

Experts recommend seeding the lawn at least twice a year. In this way, your grass will become thicker, greener, and lusher. However, do not forget to prepare the lawn for seeding. Be sure to mow it and lose the soil surface with the help of a rake. Also, aerate the compacted soil so that water and nutrients can be easily absorbed.

Wrapping it up

In short, a lush green lawn can successfully be grown organically. Natural methods such as aerating the soil and mowing higher, are far better than the use of harsh chemicals. 

Additionally, remember not to overwater the grass as mold and diseases are caused by overwatering the grass. Insects, which is another common issue for lawn owners, should be considered important. Take action for calling the healthy insects and avoid the harmful ones.

Lastly, always fertilize naturally with your lawn clippings, and do not forget to add compost. Consistently follow these pro tips for maintaining your lawn and notice a great change in no time. Do not forget to share your reviews with us!

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below, and feel free to share these watering tips with your fellow horticultural enthusiasts. 

Author Bio:
Arslan Hassan is an electrical engineer with a passion for writing, designing, and anything tech-related. His educational background in the technical field has given him the edge to write on many topics. He occasionally writes blog articles for Carpet Cleaning Oxford.

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