The only way to reduce a dependence on chemical fertilizers is to develop a healthy lawn which is naturally resistant to weeds, insects and diseases. If you need to fertilize your lawn more than once a year, consider these environmentally friendly natural ways of improving the natural health of your lawn.

Mow Often, But Not Too Short

Giving your lawn a “Marine cut” is not doing it a favor! Surface roots become exposed, the soil dries out faster and surface aeration is reduced. As a general rule, don’t cut off more than one-third of the grass at any one time. Most turf grass species are healthiest when kept between 2.5 and 3.5” tall.

Leave Clippings on the Lawn

Sometimes referred to as “grass-cycling,” this provides nutrients equivalent to one application of fertilizer. Clippings do not cause thatch. Mulching mowers are also available which help the clippings hide in the grass. If you mow the lawn before it gets too tall, the clippings left on the lawn will quickly disappear from view. Of course this technique also saves hauling yard waste to the landfill — some states have banned yard waste from landfills.

Control Thatch Build-Up

Thatch is the accumulation of above-soil runners. When thatch is not removed from lawns it becomes a breeding ground for lawn diseases, insects, and weed seeds. You must de-thatch your lawn at least once every two years to maintain a healthy lawn propagated by the grass. Too much thatch prevents water and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. You can reduce thatch with a steel rake, or by renting a de-thatcher which does a more thorough job. The best time to de-thatch your lawn is late August or early September.

Observe the Weeds

Dandelions thrive at a pH level of about 7.5, and are a sign to add gardeners sulfur to lower the pH. Clover and medic are signs that your lawn may be nitrogen poor, and needs compost or a nitrogen-weighted fertilizer.

Control lawn weeds with “corn gluten.” A nontoxic byproduct of corn processing, corn gluten kills weed seedlings within days of application. It also adds nitrogen to your soil. Just one application, before weeds emerge, reduced weed survival by 60%, according to research at Iowa State University. After several years, this method provides as much as 90% weed control.

Corn gluten meal products offer a non-toxic, yet effective alternative to traditional, chemical-based weed and feed products for weed control in gardens and lawns, paths and driveways, and safe in storm water run-off.

Granddaddy’s
Summer Lawn Tonic
from the Urban News

    1 cup of household ammonia
1 cup of Epsom salt
1 cup of Listerine mouthwash (original formula)
1/2 cup of liquid soap (cheap-cheap-cheap)
2 cans of beer (that’s right, cheap beer!)