LAWN & GARDEN ORGANIC PROTECTION

HIGH QUALITY ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

Slow release organic fertilizers provide vital nutrients to grass without the risk of burning or harming the grass.  These natural products help support the health and vitality of the soil and grass, lengthening and strengthening roots and helping the grass fight off pests, disease and weeds.  Most lawns only require a spring and fall feeding, but this must be done on a regular basis, otherwise, more may be required.

APPLY SEAWEED

Bathing your lawn and gardens with a liquid seaweed is one of the best things you can do for them.  Seaweed is loaded with trace elements like iron, magnesium and zinc, which support plant health & root development and help fight off fungal diseases.  Monthly applications are recommended.

WATER DEEPLY AND EARLY

Lawns require about one inch of water once per week.  Light and frequent sprinklings encourage shallow root growth.  The best time to water the lawn is early in the day.  Watering late in the day may encourage fungal invasion due to insufficient evaporation.

THATCH or RAKE and AERATE - MOW HIGH

Use a Thatcher or iron rake to remove thatch, which is compacted dead grass and clippings, which interfere with water reaching the roots.  This should ideally be done once in the spring or early summer.  Aeration, which removes plugs of dirt, helps increase water retention and supports air circulation to grass roots.  Mowing high is one of the most crucial steps you can take to improve the health of your lawn, as mowing high supports grass health, through shading the roots and preventing the drying out of the soil, and leads to lengthening of the grass roots, strengthening the lawn.  Longer grass blades discourage invasion by weeds and insects.  Set mower cutting height at 2.5 to 3 inches.  Keep blades sharp and avoid mowing wet grass.  Leave clippings on lawn to reduce fertilizer needs, unless they are very long.

OVERSEED & TOP DRESS

Sprinkle grass seed throughout your lawn in the spring & fall.  This will help fill in bare spots and choke out weeds.  First loosen the soil, spread peat moss, compost or topsoil, spread seed and walk over to push seeds into the soil, then water.  Add compost to your lawn once or twice a year (July through August).  This greatly supports your lawns’ health.  Apply at a rate of 100 pounds per 1000 sq. feet.

CHECK SOIL pH & ADD LIME  (if needed)

Soil pH may be a contributing to weed problems or poor grass health.  Adding lime can counter excess acidity especially under pine trees.  If your soil is too alkaline, sulphur is recommended. Having at least 10 earthworms per  square foot of soil is an indicator of soil health.

WEED CONTROL

Organic lawn care is a safe, effective and responsible alternative to the use of pesticides and herbicides. Organic lawn care isn’t perfect and takes more time, but it can be very effective. Even though these organic control methods are natural, it is important to remember that some of them can still be harmful to pets and children.  Store all materials out of reach of children and keep animals and kids away from areas that have been treated with a potent mixture.

GENERAL REMEDIES

Boiling Water – Boiling water will kill any plant and seed it touches.  Just pour it on the plant, being careful not to splash on any desirable plant.

Vinegar – Mix together 3 parts vinegar to one part dishwashing liquid. This solution will kill broadleaf plants as well as grass plants so be careful where you spray it.

Alcohol – Mix 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol with one litre of water.  Spray the mixture on the weed thoroughly but lightly.  This will kill all plants, so be careful where you spray it.  For tougher weeds, you may increase the amount of alcohol you use.

Dandelions:

Prevention – Minimize the number of dandelions in your lawn by not letting the flowers go to seed.  Mow your lawn often to keep the flowers from maturing.  Dandelions thrive in acidic, compacted soil.  Check the pH of your soil and adjust the pH if necessary.  In gardens, use a deep organic mulch to reduce dandelion population.

Physical Control – Hand dig out the plant, removing as much root as possible.  Spot treat the hole with boiling water.   Spread grass seed on the bare spot to prevent weeds from returning.

Quackgrass:

Prevention – Quackgrass thrives in compacted soil with low organic matter.  Make your lawn inhospitable to the weed by aerating at least once a year and by adding organic matter such as compost to your soil.

Boil a litre of water, add two tablespoons of salt and five tablespoons of vinegar.  Pour directly on weeds or grass growing on sidewalks, driveways, etc. while hot.

CAT DETERRENT

Mix two parts cayenne powder, three parts dry mustard, five parts flour and add sufficient water.  Pour on cat...just joking.  Apply to area where cats frequent.

DOG DETERRENT

Mix together one garlic, one onion, one litre water and 15 ml. of Tabasco sauce.

SQUIRREL DETERRENT

Blend together 15 ml Tabasco sauce and chili powder, 5 liters water and a dash of dish soap.