Organic lawn care is a great way for your lawn to appear its best and preserve the environment. It's a healthy alternative to synthetic lawn chemicals that could pose health risks to you and your family.


The transition to an organic lawn can take a while but it's well worth the effort. Your lawn will eventually be completely chemical-free.


Weed Control



Organic lawn care programs use natural chemical-free methods to control weeds as part of the overall plan. These methods are intended to create an environmentally friendly, low-maintenance lawn that can outcompete the weeds and avoid weed invasions.


Organic weed control is often a bit more difficult than conventional methods for controlling weeds, but with the right strategies and patience, you can maintain a healthy lawn without using any chemicals. There are a myriad of organic weed control options. We will concentrate on four of the most popular.


Vinegar is one of the most popular methods of controlling the growth of weeds. As an organic weed control agent, you can use both straight acetic acid (available in hardware stores) or horticultural-white vinegar. The key is to spot the weeds as they emerge, and use an agent like liquid dish soap to help the vinegar stick to the weeds. Repeated applications are essential because household vinegar is not strong enough to kill weeds by itself.


Fertilization



Fertilizer is a component of an organic lawn program that delivers nutrients and improves soil structure. The kind of fertilizer you apply is crucial to the longevity of your organic lawn.


Nitrogen is a vital nutrients for your lawn. Organic fertilizers supply nitrogen in a slow-release format that minimizes the risk of it leaching into waterways.


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


Compost can also be used as part of an organic lawn program. It can improve the structure and quality of soils that are sandy or clay-based, trapping and slowing down the loss of nutrients.


It can also help to remove pesticides from the lawn. It may also be beneficial to add compost to the soil following applying a chemical fertilizer.


Watering



Watering as part of an organic lawn program is essential to keep your lawn looking and healthy good. The best time to water is in the morning, when the sun is at its lowest and the temperature is cool.


The evening watering can promote composting, which is beneficial to soil health and control of weeds. It also reduces the amount of water that flows into rivers and streams.


The transition from a standard lawn to one that is organic will be more work and it may take several years for your lawn to reach its full potential. It will require a commitment to organic practices like improving soil quality by increasing the height of mowing, and adding organic fertilizers to the landscape. It will require many years of experience that includes a comprehensive knowledge of pests and weeds and how to handle them naturally. The result will be a lush green lawn that is safe and healthy for both pets and humans.


Mowing



Mowing your lawn is essential to ensure a healthy lawn. This can reduce water loss and retain the moisture. Longer grass shades the soil, which prevents the seedlings of weeds from germinating and also reduces the risk of developing diseases.


Natural fertilizer can also be obtained from grass clippings. Microbes in soil convert the nutrients in your clippings into plant-available forms.


A healthy soil population microbes also improves the ability of soil to store water, thereby increasing its permeability. This is especially important in areas with dry seasons.


To begin, get your soil tested by a local extension service, often affiliated with a state-run university or a commercial soil testing company. This will allow you to identify the nutrient and mineral deficiencies in your soil, and determine what organic amendments are needed to improve your soil and keep it fertile.