How to Maintain Your Natural Lawn and Eliminate the Need for Harmful Chemical Treatments
by Tiffany Gonzales
Your natural lawn requires proper care to maintain good health and curb appeal. A neglected lawn is dull and infested with disease, which necessitates the use of chemical treatments. Unfortunately, chemical herbicides and insecticides can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. This makes them harmful to humans and pets. You can take a few steps to preserve the health of your lawn and eliminate the need for chemical treatments. Below are three ways you can maintain your natural lawn without applying chemicals.
Water Your Lawn at the Right Time
Watering your lawn too much or at the wrong time can create problems for the grass. Infrequent watering causes the soil to dry out, which kills the beneficial microbes responsible for maintaining a healthy lawn. Too much water causes the roots to rot and encourages the growth of mold, fungus, weeds, and algae.
Different turf varieties have different watering needs. Some varieties thrive when watered in the morning, while others work well with evening watering. Therefore, ask your landscaping contractor about the right time and frequency for watering your turf variety. This will help you maintain a healthy lawn without using chemicals to treat turf disease.
Mow and Aerate the Lawn Regularly
When grass grows too long, it can no longer hold itself up. This causes some sections to hang downwards onto the surrounding grass and cover it. The drooping grass traps excess moisture, which attracts mold, fungi, and disease. Over time, tall grass may develop yellow patches because of nutrient deficiency.
Mow your lawn as soon as it grows beyond three inches to prevent mold growth and disease. Do not cut the grass too short, as this can stunt its growth, weaken the roots, and reduce resistance to drought. Also, aerate the soil to decompact it and allow the grass to develop strong roots. If your lawn has low foot traffic, you can aerate it every one or two years.
Opt for Organic Fertilizer
Fertilizers provide essential nutrients for your lawn and improve its health. They strengthen the roots, inhibit weed growth, and improve resistance to disease and pests. Unfortunately, some inorganic fertilizers offer these benefits at a cost. They can change the soil's pH, alter your lawn's ecosystem, and cause a buildup of chemicals in the soil.
Organic fertilizers provide nutrients to the soil without upsetting the pH or harming the environment. What's more, you don't have to use loose manure that is messy and unappealing. Landscaping companies sell various types of aged manure in pellet form. The manure is easy to apply and does not affect your lawn's visual appeal.
The above tips will keep your lawn healthy and free of weeds and fungi. Contact a company such as OnPoint Lawncare for annual lawn maintenance services.
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About Me
I have always been someone who absolutely adores being outside, which is probably one of the reasons I decided to buy a home with a large lot. However, as soon as I moved in, I realized that yard work was a lot more challenging than I had anticipated, which is why I called in a team of professional landscapers. They were amazing to work with and got right to it, and within a few days, the yard was looking amazing. I wanted to create a blog all about creating beautiful outdoors spaces so that other people can help to beautify the world.