Why Having an Organic Lawn Rocks
Have you ever thought of having an organic lawn? Going green is indeed an important consideration these days given the abundance of chemicals in the environment. A green lawn always spells health and cleanliness, making it more enticing to gardeners. If you don’t know how to start having one, it’s a good thing that you’ve come to this page. But before we jump into the process, let me first give you a bit of info on how beneficial an organic lawn can be to you, your place, and your loved ones, too.
It Adds Beauty to Your Place
Hundreds of companies and even household owners pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to landscapers to beautify their places by setting up yards. Okay, you may be confused at this point as to how a yard differs from a garden.
- A yard is a vacant lot mainly in an outdoor location, while a garden is a portion of a yard where you plant particular types of flowers or grow certain grasses that add more life to the area.
- As others put it, a yard is where your kids run around, play with your pet dog, or simply gather for a bonfire. Meanwhile, a garden is where your kids aren’t supposed to go, as they might step on your dandelions.
Whether your lawn is mostly filled with grass and leafy plants, it never fails to add life to the area. Green surroundings are also cool to the eyes, making it a great spot to look at whenever you feel like you need to rest your eyes on something. An organic lawn is definitely way better than a barren, chemical-laden lawn.
Read More: 5 Simple Ways to Grow a Lush, Eco-Friendly Chemical-Free Lawn
It Isn’t a Harmful Option
Because organic lawn care makes use of zero fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals, it is safe for both kids and pets that may roam or play in the lawn. Previous reports have shown that inorganic lawn care has led to the diminished number of bees and butterflies, our natural gardeners, since the chemicals being applied to the plants and the soil could cause their death.
Apart from that, it can also cause degenerative diseases in animals in the area, specifically cats and dogs, which tend to stay in the yard more than inside the house during the summer months. On the one hand, chemicals being used to make grasses grow faster are known for their adverse effects on human health. They can cause skin irritations and even lung cancers in the long run. The effects may not be felt today, but they can definitely take a toll on your respiratory system in the future because these chemicals tend to stay in the air and on your skin too.
Harmful chemicals can also find their way to bodies of water, especially if the lawn is located near a sewage system. They can also seep under the soil, killing natural garden helpers like earthworms and contaminating our groundwater. To make matters worse, research has noted that only a portion of those pesticides and chemicals are actually absorbed by the plants, as most of it ends up in bodies of water, evaporates into the air, or is stepped upon by us on dry land.
It Rarely Needs the Aid of Chemicals to Bloom
If an organic lawn is well cared for, it rarely needs the presence of a third party, which I use to refer to fertilizers and pesticides, to grow well. Apparently, all we need to make the plants thrive are already present. Even before we became adults, we learned in science class that plants only need soil, enough water, and sunlight to make food, and eventually, grow well.
It is only with the introduction of chemicals that tons of pests and various plant diseases strike us. Apart from that, if you are a skilled organic lawn gardener, your lawn will act as a natural defense mechanism if the weather becomes harsh. With the right amount of nutrients in the soil coming from compost and other organic matter, plants stay as strong as they can be throughout the season. Though some may not make it, most of them will continue to thrive.
It Helps Keep the Environment Clean
Never underestimate the power of these slim, green grasses. Firstly, an organic lawn doesn’t or rarely uses any form of chemicals found in fertilizers and other similar products, which, when used by millions of gardeners worldwide, can significantly decrease the presence of chemicals in the air, under the soil, and in the water.
Studies show that organic lawn care can decrease at least 10% of the total greenhouse gases in our environment today. Conversely, fertilizers make grasses grow faster but with uneven growth, leading to numerous mowings in a year. It has been noted that an average, inorganic gardener uses tons of water each year and mows the lawn at least 25 times annually. That means so many water resources have been used for watering and fossil fuels have been wasted for fueling mowers. Even if it’s an electric mower, it still consumes energy when the battery is being charged.
It Saves You Money
If there is one highlight to the benefits of having an organic lawn, it would be the fact that it lets you save money in the long run. You don’t have to invest much in costly fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. You don’t gas up your mower often, either, and you won’t need to water the grass as often as you might think. This benefit alone, given the current state of our economy, is reason enough to switch to organic lawn care.
How to Start Organic Lawn Care
What do you need to do to start organic lawn care? The very first step is to have the soil tested before you even decide on which grass to plant. Soil comes in different types, and certain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and alkaline are present in varying levels. If you just put anything in it without consulting professionals and relying on guesswork, that’s when danger sets in. You can contact certain laboratories in your area that perform these tests, or buy your own DIY soil test kit, which can be purchased online for a few bucks.
Once you’ve determined its type, identifying the right type of grass comes next. Grasses come in many varieties, and not all of them thrive in just any type of soil. It’s best to have some knowledge in this area to ensure you’ll achieve a healthy grass lawn in a few months. Asking advice from local experts is a great way to get started with grass planting.
In addition to that, growing the wrong grass requires a lot of mowing, fertilizing, and watering, which are a big no-no for organic lawn care. Clovers are lawn friends, not weeds. Firstly, they mostly remain green throughout the season, even during harsh climate changes. Secondly, they grow slowly and tolerate dry seasons, making them ideal if you can’t water your lawn as much as needed. Finally, they are insect-resistant, helping other grasses in the area.
Getting back to organic lawn care, make sure to properly prepare your compost, as this is a vital element in the process. Finally, keep grass clippings and use greywater for watering your plants. Greywater has enough nutrients for the plants. These tips, combined with careful effort, are all you need to have a beautiful, organic lawn.
