If you want your lawn to look lush and green, you should consider going organic. An organic lawn is not just good for the environment; it can also lead to low maintenance and reduced lawn care costs. When you decide to grow an organic lawn, you have to be careful about how you water, mow, and fertilize. Choosing grass that is suitable for your area is the first step, as this will automatically improve the appearance of your lawn. Choose warm or cool season grass depending on your location.
• Mowing the grass
When mowing an organic lawn, you should set the mower at three or four inches and remember that longer grass is much healthier than grass mowed too close to the surface. The longer the grass, the easier it will be to fight off disease. When you leave the grass long, the blades use the extra nutrients to enhance growth, making the lawn look lush and thick. The different types of grasses should be maintained at different heights with cool season grass requiring more length than warm season grass.
• Weeding the grass
Regular and correct mowing of your lawn can help to fight weeds. Mow the grass high and regularly to kill weeds that compete with the grass for sunlight. High grass will affect growth of weeds that remain in the shade where they fail to get adequate sunlight. Without sunlight, weeds do not have a conducive growth environment and they die. You can have a weed free lawn through frequent mowing and remember that you should only cut off 1/3 of the grass each time.
• Using grass clippings
Grass clippings can help to keep your organic lawn lush and green. After mowing the lawn, leave the clippings that provide much needed nitrogen and organic matter. This will in turn provide necessary nutrients for the soil. Talk to a lawn care expert about the best way to keep your lawn healthy using grass clippings and other natural methods. If you have to fertilize your lawn during spring and fall, make sure that you use organic fertilizers.
• Watering the lawn
Note that when you water your lawn, use at least one inch of water. Deep watering encourages the grass to put down deep roots. When the grass roots are deeper than weeds roots, the weeds die due to lack of moisture when the soil dries. The grass, on the other hand, remains lush and green. When you practice deep watering, you do not have to water your lawn frequently. You should inspect your lawn for signs that it needs to be watered. One good sign to look out for is curling grass blades.
• The soil pH Levels
It is important to have your lawn’s pH levels tested annually. Consult a lawn care expert who can carry out the testing so that you know the best way to take care of your lawn. Most of the home testing kits are not very accurate and you are much better off getting professional services to avoid making lawn maintenance errors that can destroy your lawn. The ideal pH level for green and lush lawn grass is 6.5.
