Effective Tips For Maintaining A Chemical Free Lawn

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A green lawn with healthy grass is the desire of every gardener. However, many gardeners have no idea how to maintain a green lawn without chemicals and end up damaging them through the excessive use of inorganic garden supplies. Apart from being environmentally friendly green gardening is cost effective and prevents soil toxicity that can ultimately damage your grass. Here are a few tips on how to maintain a chemical free lawn.

Carry out an annual soil test

This is a simple yet useful way of ensuring you are clear on what your soil needs to produce. Access an easy-to-use DIY test from your local garden supply store and use it to ascertain what amendments your soil requires. If you are certain of what your soil needs then you will be able to appropriately cater for the needs of your lawn rather than blindly feeding your soil with non-essential supplies.

Ensure your lawn is well aerated

Aeration ensures that the soil in your lawn is adequately supplied with oxygen and nutrients so as to feed the grass sufficiently. You can either use a lawn aerator or alternatively poke holes into the soil strategically. Aeration has many benefits such as; elimination of any dead organic matter that has accumulated on the soil surface preventing water and air from reaching the grass roots. Furthermore, it also breaks up compacted soil to allow undisturbed growth of grass-roots. Excess dead organic matter on top of your lawn makes the soil susceptible to pests and diseases hence obstructing the healthy growth of grass.

Feed your lawn organically

It is recommended that you feed your lawn with organic manure immediately after mowing. You can also use organic fertilizer to feed your lawn.

De-Thatch  often

Thatch is an accumulation of dry grass clippings which form overtime and settle on the soil surface of your lawn. Thatch is unhealthy for your grass as it prevents the penetration of water, oxygen and nutrients to the soil. Rake your lawn often to remove thatch especially after mowing.

Water effectively

Effectively watering your lawn means deeply watering to encourage root growth and only watering when it is necessary. Avoid watering on a daily basis but rather when the grass on your lawn has any distress indicators such as curling or is turning brown. When the top soil of your lawn is dry, this is a sign that the roots cannot reach moisture but can still adequately absorb nutrients from the soil. If you water too often the water will erode the nutrients from the soil. Ideally, you should always water your lawn early in the day when there is sufficient light. Watering when dark leaves water droplets on the grass blades making the grass vulnerable to pathogenic fungus disease.

Opt for organic pest controls techniques

It can be tempting to use chemical-based pest control suppliers given the creative advertising that is intent on making you believe such pesticides will do wonders for your lawn. However the fact is, consistent use of chemicals will ultimately make your soil toxic and damage it. It also doesn’t hurt that organic pest control is inexpensive. Simple stuff like getting rid of any weak grass can go a long way. This is because such grass may be already infected and is an attraction for pests.

Always use a mower that has a sharp blade

This is invaluable advice that many gardeners ignore but has very beneficial effects. A sharp blade on your lawn mower reduces the chances of irreversibly damaging your grass. The aim of mowing is to reduce the height of grass and not to tear the blades of the grass. Torn grass blades make the grass vulnerable to multiple lawn diseases. Well mowed grass is healthy and visually appealing. A blunt blade on a mower is also more costly compared to a sharp blade as it increases fuel consumption significantly.

Maintaining a chemical free lawn is definitely more time consuming compared to using chemical supplies. However the effort is worth it given that the ultimate result is a healthy green garden that is environmentally friendly.

For more gardening articles and tips you can find us at lawnmowerhut.com

 

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