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Eco-Friendly Lawn Treatments
by Barker Brown
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Lush, green lawns are a hallmark of the American suburbs. Homeowners are rediscovering lawn care methods that reduce their carbon footprint, eliminate the need for toxic chemicals and utilize solutions that are more organic. Eco-friendly lawn treatments can make your yard both a thing of beauty and a harmless place for pets, children and bare feet.
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Weed Control
Even the most beautiful lawns are never completely free of weeds, but you can take steps to minimize the problem in an eco-friendly way. Over-seeding your lawn in the spring will help suffocate weeds by encouraging thick grass growth. Spray weeds with a mixture of vinegar and water, and hand-pluck before they drop their seeds. Moisten the ground with water to dig out especially stubborn weed roots. Sow grass seeds in their place.
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Aeration
Aeration is the process of extracting long, narrow sections of soil to encourage root expansion and better drainage. Aeration also inhibits thatch, the layer of vegetation that accumulates between the grass and dirt. Environmental experts from Local Motion advise leaving extracted soil plugs on top of the ground to decompose and nourish the lawn. Other eco-friendly lawn treatments, such as organic fertilizer and compost, promote the growth of helpful bacteria and earthworms that will aerate the soil naturally.
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Mowing Techniques
Mow the grass short at the beginning of spring to remove any fungi and again in fall to discourage fungal growth during the winter. Allow the grass on your lawn to grow tall during the summer. A taller lawn is more drought tolerant and inhibits weed growth. Minimize stress to the grass by using a sharp blade and mowing when the grass is dry. Mulching mowers add an extra level of eco-friendliness by chopping up grass clippings and leaving them on the lawn to act as a natural fertilizer.
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Water Conservation
Watering deeply once a week conserves water and is more beneficial than lightly watering multiple times a week. Soil should be wet 4 to 6 inches deep after you finish watering to encourage root expansion and extend the time between watering. Water your lawn early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Place barrels below gutter openings to collect rainwater, an eco-friendly and inexpensive way to water plants on your lawn.
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Compost
Tossing leftover vegetable pieces into a compost pile not only keeps extra waste out of the landfill but also creates a powerful nutritional supplement to a lawn's soil. Decaying organic material in compost replenishes the soil with nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients vital to healthy plant growth. Apply a 1-inch layer of compost to your lawn in autumn, and water well.
