Is your lawn the bad side of gardening, endlessly sucking in your time, energy, and money? You fertilize, mow, water, mow, spread pesticides, mow and mow some more? Well, it doesn't have to be that way.
A lawn is a complex community of plants, insects and microorganisms, and the more we understand it, the easier it will be to successfully maintain. Organic lawn care is labor-intensive, but at least we aren't working against ourselves and the environment with toxic chemicals. And actually, maintaining a lawn organically isn't difficult; with proper planting and care, nearly anyone can successfully grow a healthy, green lawn.
LAWN MAINTENANCE
Whether your lawn is large or small, it needs regular maintenance to look its best. Weekly mowing during the growing season takes up the most time, but the lawn also needs frequent feeding, dethatching and other care to stay green and healthy.
MOWING: Sharpen your mower blade at the start of each season to ensure that the grass blades are cut rather than torn. To keep grass healthy and vigorous, remove only 1/3 of the top growth each time you mow. The optimal mowing height depends on the variety of grass, but in general, the higher you cut your grass, the deeper its roots will develop, strengthening its resistance to heat and drought.
Low grasses, such as zoysia and Bermudagrass, should be cut no shorter than 1 inch; preferably 1½ inches. Cut taller-growing grasses, such as tall fescue and bluegrass, no shorter than 2 inches; 2½ to even 3 inches is better.
Mow high during summer droughts. Set the highest setting on your mower blade if the grass is really tall. Reduce the blade height for the following two mowings until you are cutting at the standard height.
Bu hikaye Hobby Farms dergisinin May - June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Hobby Farms dergisinin May - June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ostrich EDUCATION
If you're looking for a unique livestock option, these large, flightless birds might be the answer.
Spiced Apple Rings
Learn the best and tastiest ways to put up the traditional canning foods, from tomatoes and green beans to apples and peaches in this new book.
RURAL REBOUND
Have cities reached their peak?
Pie Time!
Make a sweet potato crumb pie for the holidays or any day!
Soil SOLUTIONS
By practicing more sustainable farming techniques, we can bring back the rich topsoil of the preindustrial era.
Groundbreaking Fertilizer
Raise compost worms and harvest their waste, which is a natural and powerful plant fertilizer.
Cut & Dried
DRYING YOUR HERB HARVEST OFFERS AN EASY WAY TO PRESERVE ITS FLAVOR AND USEFULNESS FOR PROJECTS AND RECIPES YEAR-ROUND.
HERB-INFUSED LIP BALM
CREATE A SOOTHING AND GENTLE PRODUCT PERFECT FOR HEALING DRY, CHAPPED LIPS.
Heart & Soul
CONSIDER SOME HEART- AND LUNG HEALTHY HERBS.
TO LIFT You Up
HERBS CAN PROVIDE EXTRA SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO DEPRESSION.