Locust Ridge Landscape, LLC now offers organic lawn treatment in the Chambersburg & Shippensburg, PA area and surrounding Fayetteville, Carlisle, and Greencastle areas. Our lawn treatment services will help maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn while having little to zero impact on the environment. To learn more about the various services we offer, contact us today! The following are just a few tips for successful organic lawn treatment.
Grow the Right Grass
Growing the proper grass that’s well adapted to your region will lead to a successful lawn. Before planting new grass seed, put down grass sod or over-seed an existing lawn. Your choice of grass seed will later determine your fertilizing needs.
Perform a Soil Test
Soil testing kits are available for the do-it-yourselfer or through commercial testing services. Make sure to amend the soil as indicated by the test. After the initial test you should be set for a few years before requiring additional testing unless conditions have changed. If your soil is lacking organic matter, you should add 1 or 2 inches of rich compost to the top of your lawn prior to seeding.
Aeration
Your soil can become compacted over time so proper aeration will improve your soil to reduce compacting and make room for additional grass roots. Make sure to aerate when your soil is damp so that the corer can reach deep into your lawn and make several passes over your lawn.
Water Responsibly
Signs that your grass requires moisture can vary by grass type. Curling of the blades or dulling of color can indicate it’s time to water your lawn. You may also drive a long spike into your soil to determine if it’s time to water. If the spike slides easily and deeply into your soil, you are all set. However, if it is unable to penetrate beyond an inch or two, your lawn likely requires watering. Deep watering helps establish a strong root system and lush lawn that naturally defends against weeds.
Natural Fertilizer
The easiest way to go organic is taking advantage of the natural fertilizer at your disposal, and this includes mulching your grass clippings. It’s much better to allow mulch grass clippings to decompose into your soil instead of bagging it up for removal. This will return a generous amount of nitrogen to your soil over the course of a mowing season.
Proper Mowing
You should never remove more than a third of the length of your grass. Proper lawn mowing will facilitate deep-rooted grass that won’t require chemical fertilizer. Set your lawn mower at a high setting and maintain a sharp mower blade to your grass blades are cut and not torn.