The transition from chemical to organic lawn care requires a willingness to learn about and accept the gradual processes of nature. Patience and ecological awareness are essential.

Organic fertilizers are a great eco-conscious alternative to the traditional chemicals associated with turf care. They contain raw materials meant to stimulate and feed the life of the soil. Not to mention they are pet and child friendly! Northeast Nursery is proud to offer four of the premier manufacturers of organic turf care products: Chickity Doo, Compost, Organica, Milorganite and Espoma.

Why Organic?

Get Educated and Get Involved!

One of the greatest differences between organic and chemical lawn care is the degree of ecological knowledge and participation required by the homeowner. Homeowners who decide to ditch their chemicals must learn how to create and maintain a healthy, naturally pest-resistant lawn. In many cases, the overuse and misuse of lawn care chemicals has resulted in unhealthy, highly pest-susceptible lawns. If this is the case, it may take some time to break the cycle of chemical dependency and establish a healthy and resilient system.

Fertilize Naturally

The guiding principle of organic lawn care is to nourish the soil. In this way, it differs fundamentally from chemical lawn care, which focuses on feeding the grass. Nourish your soil with natural and organic products such as finished compost (from your own backyard compost heap), well-aged manure, grass clippings and/or slow-release organic fertilizers. Grass clippings and compost can be applied in small amounts throughout the growing season but slow-release organic fertilizers are best applied in late summer - early fall. An early spring application is also acceptable. Unlike quick-release chemical fertilizers, these natural and organic products will not burn grass or contaminate ground and surface water.

Topdress with Compost

Nourish your soil by sprinkling finished compost over your lawn. Finished compost has an earthy odor, spongy texture and rich-brown color. It contributes a wide range of both macro and micro-nutrients, which are released slowly over a long period of time. It also contributes microorganisms, which help decompose thatch and other organic matter.

Recycle your Clippings

Instead of collecting and putting clippings out for garbage, leave them on your lawn. Grass clippings are the perfect fertilizer for lawns. They are free, convenient, chalk full of nutrients and organic matter and able to boost soil fertility by up to 30 per cent. They also return moisture to your soil and shade it from the drying rays of the sun.

Aerate

Aeration relieves compaction and cultivates the soil. It is best done in the spring or fall prior to fertilization. Aeration increases air and water penetration and movement in the soil. You can ensure continual, natural and free aeration by attracting and protecting earthworms in your soil.

Overseed

Your lawn is comprised of millions of individual grass plants. Like any other living thing, these plants eventually die. It is important to overseed once every year to keep your lawn thick and healthy. A dense lawn will crowd out weeds like dandelions and crabgrass that crop up in bare or thinly-covered patches. Choose grass varieties that suit the light, moisture and soil conditions of your yard. Overseeding is also a great way to introduce hardy, pest-resistant and low-maintenance grass varieties such as endophytic perennial ryes and fine fescues into your lawn. A lawn with diverse grass types is better able to deal with and recover from stresses such as droughts, pest outbreaks, diseases and traffic. It is best to overseed from late-August to late-September, although April is also acceptable.

Mow High

Mowing is one of the most important aspects of organic lawn care. The simple practice of mowing high contributes enormously to the health of a lawn. Experts recommend at least 3 inches because it shades out sun-loving weeds and encourages good root development. Taller turf also shades the soil more than shorter turf thereby helping to keep soil cool and moist.

The One-Third Rule

A general rule is to never cut off more than one third of the blade at once. Cutting off more than one third of the blade may cause the grass plant to go into shock as a huge portion of its food factory is eliminated. It will also result in longer clippings that take longer to decompose and may suffocate some grass plants. If grass is overgrown, mow twice; first at a high setting and then at a lower one.

Sharpen your Blade Once a Year

Another way to ensure your grass remains healthy and strong is to cut it with a sharp blade. Dull blades tear and stress grass blades, thereby increasing the potential for disease and infestations. Sharp blades cut cleaner and easier and leave your lawn healthier and better looking.

Water Wisely

Experts agree that a lawn requires no more than one inch of water a week. Sometimes, rain will provide your lawn with all the water it requires. At other times, irrigation is required. As a general rule, water deeply once a week during the early morning or early evening. Watering during the late evening is not recommended because cooler temperatures and sitting water invite disease.

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