Organic lawn care is a great method to keep your lawn looking its best while protecting the environment. It's a healthier alternative to synthetic lawn chemicals that can pose health hazards for you and your family.


The transition to an organic lawn will take some time however, it's worth the effort. Eventually, your lawn will be completely 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 the weeds and stop weed infestations.


Although organic weed control may be more difficult than traditional methods, it is still possible to maintain a healthy lawn using the right techniques and patience. There are a myriad of alternatives to control weeds that are organic. We will focus on four of the most popular.


Vinegar is a popular method to control the growth of weeds. Straight acetic acid (available at hardware stores) and white vinegar used for horticulture can be used as an effective, natural herbicide. The act of treating weeds in the moment they appear is the key. To aid the vinegar to stick to plants, you can use liquid dish soap or acetic acid. Homemade vinegar isn't strong enough to kill weeds on its own and therefore repeated applications are needed.


Fertilization



Fertilizer is an essential component of an organic lawn plan. It helps to provide nutrients and improves soil's structure. The success of your organic lawn is contingent on the type of fertilizer you apply.


Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for your lawn. Organic fertilizers provide nitrogen in a form that releases slowly that minimizes the risk of it being absorbed into waterways.


Natural organic fertilizers release nitrogen through microbes that take place in warm, moist soils. This release is most effective in late spring and summer when soil microbes are at their highest level of activity.


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 slowing the leaching of nutrients that are not used up.


Additionally, it could aid in breaking down and remove some pesticides that are applied to the lawn. It could also be beneficial to add some compost to the soil following applying chemical fertilizers.


Watering



It is vital to water your lawn as part of a healthy program. Morning is the ideal time to water because the sun is low in the sky and the temperatures are cool.


Watering in the evening can promote composting, which can be beneficial to soil health as well as weed control. It is also a great way to reduce the amount of water runoff into our streams and rivers.


The transition from a traditional lawn to an organic one will be more work and it may take several years for your lawn to reach its full potential. It will require you to adopt organic lawncare practices such as improving the quality of your soil and mowing heights, and incorporating organic fertilizers in the landscape. It will require a lot of information, including an extensive knowledge of weeds and pests and how to deal with them naturally. The result will be an attractive, green lawn that is safe for both pets and people.


Mowing



Mowing your lawn is crucial to ensure that the grass is at the correct height, reducing water loss and assisting the soil to retain moisture. The longer grass shaded the soil can help keep weed seeds from germinating.


Natural fertilizer can also be derived from grass clippings. The soil microbes convert the nutrients in your clippings to plant-available forms.


A healthy soil microbe population can improve soil's capacity to hold water and improve its permeability. This is particularly beneficial in areas with seasonal drought.


To begin, get your soil tested by an extension service in your area which is usually affiliated with a state university or commercial soil testing company. This will help you determine the mineral and nutrient deficiencies in your soil, and determine what organic amendments are needed to improve your soil and keep it healthy.