Lawn Care

Traditional lawn care usually involves the use of fertilizers, both organic and chemical, many of which also contain pesticides. Common ingredients are ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, copper salts, lime, potassium chloride and a whole host of possible pesticides. These fertilizers may be harmful if ingested, corrosive to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth & throat) and pollute both surface and groundwater. In addition, they often damage the balance of soil microorganisms which are vital for a healthy lawn and garden.

A healthy, non-toxic lawn can easily be achieved without the use of these fertilizers. Your yard may not look just like the putting greens at your local golf course, but they will be green, healthy, and still just as attractive (or even more so if you're anything like me and hate the sterile, monocultural, transplanted look.)

The following tips can help you grow a thick, lush, and above all, healthy lawn.

1. Plant an ecology lawn. Diversity is key to any ecosystem's health. Planting a variety of different species such as legumes, flowering plants & grass will lead to a healthier lawn more able to resist disease and crowd out weeds.

2. Use native plants when applicable. Native plants will already have natural defense mechanisms for many of the pests and diseases in your area and will be suited to the local soil conditions and microorganisms which means a healthier lawn (with less work from you!)

3. Mow your lawn no shorter than 2.5 inches and preferrable closer to 3 inches. Studies have shown that leaving your lawn a little longer will lead to deeper root growth, uses less water, prevents weeds from establishing by shading them out, and provides more surface area for photosynthesis which equals a healthier lawn.

4. Keep mower blades sharp – dull blades tear grass leaving it susceptible to infection and water loss. Many hardware & supply stores will sharpen your blades at little cost. Blades should be checked for dullness after every 8-10 hours of use.

5. Water deeply as opposed to a little bit every day. Watering a full inch of the soil every week or so causes the plants to send down deeper roots which means a more stable, healthy plant. Always water in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler and the sun is not shining brightly to avoid excessive water loss due to evaporation.

6. Soil aeraters dig up small plugs of soil to allow better circulation and can usually be purchased relatively inexpensively from your local garden supply store.

7. Soil, Soil, Soil. It's all about the soil when it comes to healthy lawn care. Healthy soil equals a healthy lawn that will easily outcompete most weeds. Home soil testing kits can be purchased to check soil nutrient and pH levels. Locally in Eureka, the UC Agriculture & Natural Resources Cooperative Extension at 445-7351 can provide information on how to get your lawn tested as well as tips on how to plant an ecology lawns, etc...

7a. Maintain healthy soil pH. Certain weeds such as dandelions prefer a slightly acidic soil. Using dolomite lime will raise the pH levels and help the grass crowd out the weeds.

7b. Keep nitrogen levels up. Other weeds such as clover obtain their nitrogen from the atmosphere and can indicate low nitrogen levels in the soil. The easiest way to keep nitrogen levels up is to leave your grass clippins on the lawn. Other substance that can be applied to increase nitrogen include bat guano, cottonseed meal and blood meal.

7c. Always use natural soil amendments instead of chemical fertilizers. Examples of good additives include blood meal, fish meal, fish emulsion, seed meals, bone meal, rock phosphate, greensand, kelp meal, manure and compost.

Many garden supply stores are jumping on the organic band wagon so finding these supplies is growing easier and easier. If your local store doesn't stock them, suggest they do so and in the meantime there are dozens of stores across the nation that will sell their products over the internet and ship them relatively inexpensively. Good luck and enjoy your new and improved lawn!