Natural Lawncare

Below you will find the recommended guidelines for natural lawncare.  In addition to these I would recommend a slow, release lime application in early spring, since our soils here are fairly acidic.  Aeration is highly recommended for low lying areas, or where drainage is a problem.  Aerate your lawn once a year and apply a thin layer of grass seed & compost afterwards and your lawn will be much healthier and able to withstand the summer droughts much better.

Mow High - allow your grass to be approximately 2" - 2.5".  This helps shade the roots, soil and it crowds/shades the weeds.

Leave the Clippings - natural mulching.  Now your clippings don' t have to be driven away as greenwaste.  It is said that leaving the clippings is equivalent to one fertilizer application per year.

Water Deeply - 1" per week, applied early in the morning on your watering day.  Don't assume when it rains that the lawn has received enough water.  Light sprinkles are often taken up by other plants before it reaches the soil to a depth of 1".  Watering deeply once a week encourages a deep root system.  Do not water by hand and always make sure the water is not running off down the road or sidewalk, etc.

Let it go Dormant - don't water during the summer and your lawn will go dormant.  It will bounce back in the fall as the temperatures cool and rains begin.  PLEASE NOTE:  If you live in an area infected with the European Chafer Beetle, this is not recommended.  Keeping a strong, healthy, well watered lawn in these areas will help reduce the damage.

Fertilizers, Slow Release vs Compost - my personal preference is always to ammend and improve the soil, even in the lawn.  I consider this more sustainable and natural.  If you need to apply fertilizer, it's best to use a slow release fertilizer applied in mid - May.  If the soil is poor this is not a good long term solution.

Lawn Alternatives - there are many good ground covers or ornamental grasses/plants that can be used instead of lawn.  Particularly in hard to mow or shady areas.  Consider making paths through the area, so you don't have to walk on them.  NOTE:  please be careful not to plant invasive species as groundcovers, such as English Ivy or Periwinkle, etc.

Letting the moss grow