An organic lawn care program works with nature, not against it. This gives the lawn just what it needs to be green and healthy, and more resistant to diseases and pests. This program is also safer for children, pets, and our aquifers – therefore our drinking water. It also saves money in the long run, since it takes less fertilizer, pesticides, and fungicides overall.
Fertilizing
When starting an organic
program, fertilize your lawn two times a year: April and late
September/early October. (A third fertilization, in June, could be
added, if necessary). This program works best when other organic
practices are followed that protect the microbial activity in the soil,
and clippings are left on the lawn. (You will not see the hyper-fast
green-up that occurs with soluble chemical fertilizers. However, you
will achieve a healthier, sustainable green - with patience. In
other words, there may be a transition period when going from chemical
to organic lawn care programs).
Lady Bug Brand 8-2-4 Lawn and Garden
Fertilizer is a great choice, available in a 25-pound bag,
which covers 4,170, square feet. If you have been on an organic
lawn care program for a few years, you may use the Lady Bug Brand
8-2-4 at a 4-1-2 ratio which then covers 8,340 square feet.
Topdressing
Early in the spring, and/or in
the fall, spread compost on your lawn, one-half inch or less, and water
in. This practice amends the soil, improves drainage, boosts beneficial
organisms, helps decrease thatch, and helps hold in moisture. According
to some sources, topdressing can reduce water requirements by 50%! We
recommend Lady Bug Brand Revitalizer™,
All American Turkey Compost™, or
Farm Style™ Compost. Here’s the formula to help you figure out
how much you need:
Length (in feet) x Width (in ft.) x Depth (in inches, e.g. 0.5”) รท 324 = # Cubic Yards
Aeration
Where your soil is compacted or
contains heavy clay, aeration is the most successful solution,
especially when preceded by topdressing. Manual aerators are great to
help those foot-worn paths, but for an entire lawn, renting a
gas-powered aerator is easiest.
Watering and Mowing
Deep watering means
deeper roots, healthier grass, and more drought tolerance. For example,
St. Augustine should be watered 1 to 1-1/2 inches every 5 days in the
summer. The rest of the year, wait 7 days or longer. Check the watering
system output using tuna fish cans or similar containers. Place
containers across the yard, and time how long it takes to fill cans with
1 to 1-1/2 inches of water. That’s how long to water each time. When
mowing, remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade height at a time.
This avoids stress and also encourages a deeper root system. Keep mower
blades sharp; ragged cuts invite more disease. Leave clippings on the
lawn—they are fertilizer and organic matter!
The Whole Nine Yards
If you are trying to
bring life back to a stressed, diseased, or tired lawn, or just want to
do the most to pamper your healthy lawn, here are a few more steps to
take. First, spray lawn with our Aerobically-brewed Compost Tea.
The Aerobic Compost Tea supplies beneficial microorganisms and soil
enzymes for disease suppression and greater nutrient utilization. In
addition, Lady Bug Terra Tonic™ stimulates microbes, and improves
soil texture, permeability, and fertility. Using both products at least
four times a year is one of the best alternatives to applying truckloads
of compost. For controlling weeds, use corn gluten as a
pre-emergent herbicide in February and September.