Organic Fertilization Techniques

If you perform your lawn fertilization yourself, a liquid organic fertilizer such as seaweed extract, fish emulsion, or a mix of the two can save you a great deal of time and money. The list below will give you a good indication of some of the specific benefits:

• Sprinkler application means less time manually applying fertilizers
• Organics have much lower nitrogen content than chemical fertilizers
  • Less time and money fixing spots where nitrogen "burn" occurred.
  • Slower lawn growth rate = less mowing, fewer clippings.
• Greater stress, pest, disease and drought resistance
  • No need for pesticides, etc.-saves money (use organic if absolutely necessary)
• Can be universally applied to any plant
  • Fertilize lawn, landscaping, trees, gardens, etc. all at the same time.
• Inexpensive if purchased through the right source--US (chuckle)

There are a couple of ways to reduce the necessity of fertilization which will save time and money also. Since a lawn needs a certain amount of nitrogen and normally fertilizer is purchased in order to supply this, finding alternate sources can be beneficial and cost effective. Leaving the clippings on the lawn (never in excessive amounts) will lessen the necessity for fertilizer. Grass clippings are a very good source of nitrogen and other nutrients for the soil. Clover mixed with your grass seed can also be a GREAT nitrogen source for your lawn (not too much though--it can take over a lawn).

Organic Mowing Techniques

A person can spend a great deal of time mowing their lawn. Although some find it enjoyable, there are many who would much rather spend that time with family or on other, more important tasks. Utilizing some of the tips below could save you a great deal of time and money, and will make it easier to have a good looking lawn.

• Mow your lawn in a circular or elliptical pattern spiraling inward skipping corners--get 'em later (not for those who are infatuated with straight lines)
  • Never have to turn the mower around.
  • Blow clippings "inward" for better mulching.
• Put shredded bark or mulch or ground cover around trees, obstacles, house, etc.
  • Reduces time spent weed whipping.
• Mow lawn when it's needed, NOT when it's "Saturday"
  • Never cut off more than 40% of grass blade.
  • Less stress to lawn = less disease, pests = less time and money fixing it
  • Fewer clippings eliminates need to rake or catch.
• Always use SHARP blades
  • Won't tear grass - less chance for disease
  • Won't take as long to cut the lawn
  • Looks better
• Let the grass grow long (2 to 3 inches)
  • Long grass blades lead to deeper and stronger root systems
    • Stronger root systems provided better drought resistance and therefore less watering is needed, saving you both time and money.

Organic Watering Techniques

• Water deeply and infrequently
  • Water your lawn only when necessary and for 20 min. to 30 min. (if drainage is good)
  • Root systems grow much deeper
• Never water at night - water in the morning.
  • Water won't sit on grass and cause disease

Organic Weed Control

Pulling or raking weeds out of your lawn can be very time consuming. However, chemical spraying can be very costly over time, especially because while fixing one problem it normally causes at least two more. The following tips should help reduce the time and money you spend on the "picture perfect" lawn. Remember, an hour spent today is 3 hours and a bundle of money saved next year.

• Take time to overseed your lawn in the FALL (late August)
  • Weeds can't grow where grass is growing. Two things can't occupy same space.
  • Planting in fall eliminates grass vs. weed competition of spring.
  • Next spring new grass will crowd out the weeds
• Fertilize in the fall
  • Provides much needed nutrients for a good spring start so the grass beats the weeds
• Mow the grass high (2 to 3 inches)
  • Less sunlight reaches weed seeds so less will germinate
  • Grass forms thicker root system - less room for weeds
• Catch clippings when present weeds are going to seed.
  • Less weed seeds to germinate next year or later this year.
• Keep thatch levels in check (lower than 1/2", preferably lower than 1/4")
  • Weeds grow better in heavy thatch than grass does
  • There are liquid organic products which do a good job

RESULT: Less time and $$$ spent killing weeds in future

Organic Pest Control

A person could spend a great deal of money purchasing chemical insecticides to kill off pests in their lawn. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure the "pests" are really causing a problem
  • Many insects are beneficial for a lawn, don't kill the "good guys"
• Plant flowers which have leaves or blossoms with insecticidal properties.
  • Many plant flowers/leaves contain organic, pest specific or general insecticides
  • By planting them once you create a lasting "free" insecticide supply
• Plant trees and shrubs in your yard for natural bird habitat
  • Birds will keep your insect populations in check

You may be thinking to yourself, "I don't have time to overseed my lawn, plant flowers, put mulch around trees, etc." What you need to realize is that a lawn which is cared for correctly and naturally will eventually begin to take care of itself in many ways. Good soil requires less fertilizer which saves money and time. Organic maintenance practices eliminate imbalances in the soil which are the initial causes of disease, pest and stress problems in your lawn. By eliminating these causation factors, you eliminate the time and money spent taking care of future problems.