You can grow a healthy lawn without using synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Chemical-free fertilizers stimulate the healthy growth of roots and blades while they improve the drainage, aeration, and water-holding capacity of the soil.
A healthy lawn starts with healthy soil. A thin layer of compost can replenish the soil’s natural organic content. Organic fertilizer feeds the soil as well as the plants. Choose from high protein organic fertilizers such as corn meal, alfalfa meal, coffee grounds, and soy meal (whatever you can get locally and inexpensively); home-brewed compost “tea;” or commercial liquid organic fertilizers.
If you are planning a new lawn choose turf grasses that grow well where you live. Experts at Ohio State University recommend homeowners in their state grow cool season turf grasses such as turf-type tall fescue, perennial ryegrass (mixed with Kentucky bluegrass), fine fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. Contact your cooperative extension office for advice on the best turf grass for your area.
When you mow the lawn cut no more than one-third of the length of the grass blades. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to add even more organic content.
Here’s a yearly plan to follow. In the spring before the grass turns green, apply a protein-based fertilizer or liquid organic fertilizer. During the summer, water the lawn once a week in the morning, unless you get an inch of rainfall. Apply fertilizer again about three weeks before the grass stops growing in autumn.
Keep in mind that organic methods are not quick fixes. Because the focus is on building the soil, it takes longer to see results. Also, an organic lawn will never be a picture-perfect lawn; it’s more of a natural lawn, with occasional weeds. In time your organic lawn will look healthy and fairly uniform. Best of all it will be resistant to pests, diseases, and drought.
Lawns that are fed organically have a natural green look, rather than the artificial golf course green that comes with chemical fertilizers. There are other benefits to growing an organic lawn: Lawns grown without chemicals are safer for children, adults, and pets to walk and play on.
Landscapers and lawn care workers have less risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. And when you eliminate synthetic chemical fertilizers, you reduce the amount of toxins that are released into the air, water, and soil.
Want to learn more about feeding your lawn without chemicals?
There’s a lot more to growing a green lawn organically. Check out these websites for great information:
If you’re in Ohio, here’s a great resource dedicated to Natural Organic Lawn Care for Ohio.
Gardenweb features a wide variety of Organic Lawn Care FAQ.