Organic Lawn Care – Environmental Alternatives

Lawns, like gardens, require regular upkeep to maintain health and vigour. High nitrogen based synthetic fertilizers are commonly used to maintain strong growth and eliminate flatweed growth. Organic alternatives to these synthetic fertilizers include aged chicken manure and some commercially produced products such as Dynamic Lifter (Pelletised chicken manure).

Organic Fertilizers should be added in Early Autumn

When adding high nitrogen based organic fertilizers it is recommended to wait until after a heavy rain, spread while ground is wet and water in heavily to avoid burning the grass.

Coring and dethatching is also recommended prior to adding any organic fertilizer. This will allow nutrients to enter the soil more readily and allows air to circulate.

Lawns require ample water supply of water during summer months. This maintains the growth & health of the lawn and also prevents soil compaction and cracking.

Water restrictions have limited the amount of water we can apply to our lawns in many parts of the world. One option is to use a low phosphate detergent when washing your clothes and redirect this waste "grey water" over the lawn.

Grey water can be stored in a tank or directed strait onto the lawn.

When using organic lawn care practices:

Raise the height of your mowers blades.

Be prepared to have a few flat weeds or remove them by hand if required

Occasionally leave your clippings on the lawn (Don't use a catcher) I don't recommend using this method ALL the time as it can cause heavy matting and slow water filtration through the soil.