Organic lawn care is an excellent method of keeping your grass looking its best while protecting the environment. It's a natural alternative to synthetic lawn chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family.


It can take some effort to switch to a natural lawn. Your lawn will soon be chemical-free.


Weed Control



Organic lawn care programs offer natural, chemical-free methods of eliminating the growth of weeds. These methods are intended to create an environmentally friendly, low-maintenance lawn that is able to beat weeds and prevent weed infestations.


Organic weed control can be a bit more difficult than conventional weed control methods however, with the right methods and perseverance you can have your lawn healthy without using any chemicals. There are a myriad of alternatives to control weeds that are organic. We will focus on four of the most popular.


Vinegar is a common method to control the growth of weeds. As an organic weed-control agent, you can choose to use straight acetic acid (available in hardware stores) or white vinegar that is horticultural in nature. The trick is to treat weeds as soon as they begin to appear, and then use the surfactant similar to liquid dish soap to aid in helping the vinegar stick to the weeds. Homemade vinegar isn't strong enough to kill the weeds by itself, so repeated applications are required.


Fertilization



Fertilizer is a vital element of an organic lawn program. It helps to provide nutrients and improves the soil structure. Your organic lawn's success depends on the type of fertilizer you choose to use.


Nitrogen is an essential fertilizer for your lawn. Organic fertilizers release nitrogen in a slow release form that reduces the chance of leaking into waterways.


Microbial activity in moist, warm soils releases nitrogen from natural organic fertilizers. This is when soil microbes are most active and late spring and summer are the best times to release nitrogen.


You can also make use of compost as part of an organic lawn program. It can improve the structure of sandy and clay-based soils by capturing and reducing the loss of nutrients that are not being utilized.


In addition, it can help break down and remove some pesticides that are applied to the lawn. After applying chemical fertilizers it is possible to include compost in the soil.


Watering



Watering as part of a healthy lawn program is important to keeping your grass healthy and looking good. The best time to water is in the morning, when the sun is low and the temperature is cool.


Watering in the evening can promote composting, which is beneficial to soil health and weed control. It also helps reduce the runoff of water into streams and rivers.


It will take more effort to transform your lawn from a traditional one to an organic one. Your lawn might not be at its best for many years. It will require you to commit to organic practices like improving soil quality and mowing heights and incorporating organic fertilizers in the landscape. It will require a lot understanding, including a thorough understanding of weeds and pests and how to deal with them naturally. The result will be a green lawn that is safe and healthy for people and pets.


Mowing



Mowing your lawn is vital to ensure an aesthetically pleasing lawn. This can help to reduce water loss and keep the moisture. The longer the grass shaded the soil, it helps prevent weed seed germination.


Grass clippings can also be used as natural fertilizer. Soil microbes convert the nutrients from your clippings into plant-available forms.


A healthy population of soil microbes also improves the ability of soil to store water, thereby increasing its permeability. This is particularly beneficial in areas with drought conditions that are seasonal.


Begin by testing your soil with a local extension agency that is usually associated with a state university or a commercial soil testing company. This will enable you to determine any mineral or nutrient deficiencies in your soil and assist you in determining the best organic amendments that will improve the fertility of your soil.