The Hogweed Problem

12 Step Organic Lawn Care Program

Decide - Deciding to implement organic lawn care involves actively caring for your lawn and ensuring that both the soil and plants are healthy. It also means adopting a new perspective on your lawn and "weeds". Some so-called weeds are actually beneficial to your lawn and soil. For example, clover adds nitrogen to the soil.

Water Deeply and Less Often - Water deeply (about 1 inch) in the early morning or early evening once a week.

Shallow watering may result in shallow roots and a greater susceptibility to drought damage in dry periods.

Mow High - Mowing is one of the most important aspects of organic lawn care. Three inches is an ideal height for turf grass because it shades out weeds and soil, keeping it cool and moist. Taller grass also builds better root systems.

Mulch - Grass clippings are the perfect fertilizer for lawns. They are free, convenient, chock full of nutrients and organic matter and able to boost soil fertility by up to 30 percent. Use a mulching mower/blade that distributes the clippings fairly evenly throughout the lawn.

Monitor Your Lawn - Monitor your lawn for insects, weeds and diseases. A small and stable pest population in an otherwise healthy lawn is hardly noticeable and not demanding of action. If however, the problem begins to threaten the overall health of your lawn, action is required. One way to decide whether or not to take action is to look at your lawn from across the street. How noticeable is the problem from your neighbour's front porch?

Troubleshoot - Consult the chart on this brochure for insect and weed problems. Over time a healthy organic lawn will crowd out most weeds and become resistant to insect problems.

Rake - Use a stiff rake to gently remove thatch, increase air circulation and discourage fungal growth. Rake after grass dries out but before weed seeds start to germinate in earnest.

Fertilize Naturally - Fertilize with organic products such as finished compost, grass clippings and/or slow-release organic products (e.g., well-aged manure and seaweed). Organic fertilizers are best applied in late summer - early fall but may also be used in the early spring. Compost and grass clippings can be applied throughout the growing season.

Aerate - If your soil is compacted, aerate in the spring and/or fall before fertilizing and seeding. This increases air and water circulation. Rent a mechanical aerator or hire an organic lawn care company to do the work for you. Manual aerators are well suited for small to mid-sized lawns.

Topdress - Spread finished compost, topsoil and/or composted manure over your entire lawn after aerating and weeding and before seeding. This adds nutrients and microorganisms to your lawn.

Overseed - Grass plants, like all living things, eventually die. This is why overseeding every year in spring or late-summer is a good idea. Introduce hardy, pest-resistant grass species such as perennial ryes and fine fescues into your lawn. Allow seeds time to germinate in cool, moist conditions and the grass to become well-established prior to the hot, dry weather of summer. Keep seeded areas moist until grass is well-established.

Pride - Take pride in your lawn, the care you provide it and the environmental ethic which guides your actions and decisions. By implementing organic lawn care you are demonstrating to neighbours that alternatives to chemical lawn care and to the conventional lawn do exist.

	12 Step Organic Lawn Care Program Decide - Deciding to implement organic lawn care involves actively caring for your lawn and ensuring that both the soil and plants are healthy. It also means adopting a new perspective on your lawn and "weeds". Some so-called weeds are actually beneficial to your lawn and soil. For example, clover adds nitrogen to the soil. Water Deeply and Less Often - Water deeply (about 1 inch) in the early morning or early evening once a week. Shallow watering may result in shallow roots and a greater susceptibility to drought damage in dry periods. Mow High - Mowing is one of the most important aspects of organic lawn care. Three inches is an ideal height for turf grass because it shades out weeds and soil, keeping it cool and moist. Taller grass also builds better root systems. Mulch - Grass clippings are the perfect fertilizer for lawns. They are free, convenient, chock full of nutrients and organic matter and able to boost soil fertility by up to 30 percent. Use a mulching mower/blade that distributes the clippings fairly evenly throughout the lawn. Monitor Your Lawn - Monitor your lawn for insects, weeds and diseases. A small and stable pest population in an otherwise healthy lawn is hardly noticeable and not demanding of action. If however, the problem begins to threaten the overall health of your lawn, action is required. One way to decide whether or not to take action is to look at your lawn from across the street. How noticeable is the problem from your neighbour's front porch? Troubleshoot - Consult the chart on this brochure for insect and weed problems. Over time a healthy organic lawn will crowd out most weeds and become resistant to insect problems. Rake - Use a stiff rake to gently remove thatch, increase air circulation and discourage fungal growth. Rake after grass dries out but before weed seeds start to germinate in earnest. Fertilize Naturally - Fertilize with organic products such as finished compost, grass clippings and/or slow-release organic products (e.g., well-aged manure and seaweed). Organic fertilizers are best applied in late summer - early fall but may also be used in the early spring. Compost and grass clippings can be applied throughout the growing season. Aerate - If your soil is compacted, aerate in the spring and/or fall before fertilizing and seeding. This increases air and water circulation. Rent a mechanical aerator or hire an organic lawn care company to do the work for you. Manual aerators are well suited for small to mid-sized lawns. Topdress - Spread finished compost, topsoil and/or composted manure over your entire lawn after aerating and weeding and before seeding. This adds nutrients and microorganisms to your lawn. Overseed - Grass plants, like all living things, eventually die. This is why overseeding every year in spring or late-summer is a good idea. Introduce hardy, pest-resistant grass species such as perennial ryes and fine fescues into your lawn. Allow seeds time to germinate in cool, moist conditions and the grass to become well-established prior to the hot, dry weather of summer. Keep seeded areas moist until grass is well-established. Pride - Take pride in your lawn, the care you provide it and the environmental ethic which guides your actions and decisions. By implementing organic lawn care you are demonstrating to neighbours that alternatives to chemical lawn care and to the conventional lawn do exist. <<Back