How to Care for Your Lawn Organically

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By HS Schulte
eHow Community Member

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(15 Ratings)

Lawns are for enjoying! Healthy, pesticide free grass for your family can be a reality. Don't spray chemicals that will leave you wondering if children and pets are safe. Follow these tips for a green lawn.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Leave the clipping!
Your lawn needs grass clippings to add nitrogen and other nutrients back to the soil. Keeping the clippings on your lawn is the easiest method of fertilization. If you have areas where the clippings are thick or heavy, simply rake the clippings down on to the soil, so they are not lying on top of the grass.
Step 2

Raise the blade on your mower.
The blade on your mower should be set 2-3 inches high. Anything lower than this can scalp the grass, allowing weeds and pests to take over.
Step 3

Grow native varieties of grass.
Growing grass native to your area reduces the need for watering. During extreme dry spells, use grey water or water collected from your gutters to water your grass.
Step 4

Fertilize.
If you compost, you can spread 1/4 inch of compost around your yard in the spring and in the fall. Rake it into your grass and you will have the greenest lawn in town. Just a small amount, will help replinish nutrients without overwhelming the grass.
Step 5

pH.
Your soil needs to have a pH between 6 and 7 to thrive. If you live in an area that the soil isn't naturally between 6 ad 7, you can correct the pH by adding lime or sulfur. Lime increases the pH and sulfer decreases it. Alternatively, you could plant native plants or create a rock garden to prevent unnecessary expense and watering.
Step 6

Weeds.
If you keep your grass well fertilized, healthy and at the appropriate height, weeds should not be a problem. However, if you have an outbreak of weeds, reseed the area with grass seed. Also, remember that when you were a child dandelions were pretty gifts for your mom, or for making bracelets!