Use less Chemicals in your Lawn to keep it healthy
Your lawn ultimately is a living thing. It breathes, grows and needs water to live, but did you know that the chemicals that we put on our lawn can actually make it sick and sometimes may even kill it.
Just like humans, if we get too much of a chemical it can make us sick, so why are we putting these chemicals into our own lawn where our children play, our pets walk and we walk across as well? The best way to keep a healthy lawn is to go chemical-free and follow some of the suggested tips below.
1. Test your soil: If you consult with your county extension office to have them help. You can search for your local office by visiting the USDA Cooperative State Research and click on “Local Extension Office”.
2. Go Organic: The best bet for compost is to look for labels that meet the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP) or Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).
3. Go Native: If you choose plants that are native to where you live you are also choosing plants that will attract native birds, bees and even other insects. They can in turn help pollinate your plants and if you have a nearby garden this is particularly beneficial. If you plant exotic and other non-native species you are inviting invasive species to take hold in your area and it may get to the point where you can never kill it off.
4. Mow Less: Letting your grass grow longer than you normally would isn’t a bad thing. The good length of grass is about 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches tall. And if you must mow, have the blades super sharp and the best way is to avoid mowing and avoiding chemicals altogether is to use a push mower that is a manual tool. It can help reduce emissions and beats having that long cord with an electric mower.
5. Keep Weeds Controlled: Pull out the weeds by hand. You will burn calories and prevent the use of any chemicals. If you start when the weeds first appear then you can stay on top of them easier.
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