Natural Lawn Care for a Healthier Planet
It is possible to create a natural lawn without the use of pesticides and herbicides. This option is becoming more popular as people experience a growing awareness of environmental issues. Also, many parents are worried about the adverse effects pesticides and herbicides can have on health of their family and pets. Moms and dads want their kids to play in the grass without worrying about the chemical residue that has been left behind.
A natural lawn doesn’t rely on fertilizers and pesticides to look great. Instead, natural and organic pesticides are used as substitutes. At first it may seem too difficult to make the switch, and it may take some extra time for initial implementation, but making the change will be well worth it in the end.
One of the best ways to start is to select a turf that works well in your local environment. Research the local climate, the watering and fertilizing needs of the grass you are considering, and how often you will have to mow the lawn. Different grass types have different needs. Some grass types turn brown very quickly unless you take care of them and provide plenty of water, while others have the ability to last long periods of time in high heat without much water.
Balancing the pH of your lawn is also very important in natural lawn care. Natural lawns can fall under one of three categories: acidic, alkaline, or balanced. Acidic soil has a pH between 0 and 6.9. An alkaline soil has a pH between 7.1 and 14. A balanced pH is around 7. The easiest way to test the pH balance of your soil is to buy a home soil testing kit from a local garden store. They don’t cost very much, about $20 or $40, and work quite well. Or if you prefer, you can hire a landscaper to test the soil.
To balance out acidic soil, slowly add lime or wood ashes over time. For alkaline soil, add sulfur, iron sulfate, or pine needles. But make sure you only add these materials in small amounts over a long period of time. You may actually damage the soil if you add too much all at once, and ruin the growing season. If you are switching from a pesticide lawn to a natural lawn, realize that it may take a few years for the pH to balance out.
Lawn aeration and dethatching is also something you should consider when cultivating a natural lawn. You have to take care of the turf as well as the grass to ensure a healthy lawn. Over time all the mowing, walking, fertilizing, and watering causes the soil underneath the grass to become compacted. Compacted soil doesn’t allow enough aeration. Compacted soil doesn’t absorb enough water or fertilizer, which can cause your it to deteriorate. One method of dealing with this is to buy a pair of aerating shoes and walk across the lawn to unclog holes. You can also purchase vertical mowers to do this job.
GreenMark Landscaping Provides professional Orlando Landscaping - Lawn Care Orlando