Do it Yourself Organic Lawn Care

1. Since Long Island’s water supply is drawn from the
ground, it is important to use fewer pesticides and syn-
thetic fertilizers which can leach through the soil and
contaminate the underground aquifers. Synthetic nitro-
gen may also run off from fertilized lawns causing
NEIGHBORHOOD algae to grow in bays. As the algae die and decompose,
NETW RK they deprive fish of oxygen. Hypoxia, or a lack of dis-
Healthy Environment, Strong Communities, Accountable Government
Go Organic! It’s An Easy choice!
solved oxygen, is already a serious problem throughout
the western part of the Long Island Sound.
Over 10 million pounds of pesticides The goal of an organic maintenance
Finally, your lawn can become addicted to toxic
are applied on program is to establish a healthy soil pesticides because they kill the beneficial insects,
Long Island every ecology which provides your turf with
DO IT
microbes, and earthworms that help maintain a healthy
year. This presents natural defenses against weeds, disease, lawn. When these “good bugs” are gone, expensive pes-
a threat of expo- and insect pests. ticides must be re-applied to kill pests that a healthy soil
ecology would have helped to control.
sure to toxic chem- Families who want to maintain green
YOURSELF
icals and contami- lawns without the
nation of our risks associated with
underground drink- pesticides, need to
ing water aquifers.
ORGANIC
know that there are
Insects, weeds, better, safer alterna- NEIGHBORHOOD
and fungal diseases tives. Especially NETW RK
in a lawn are often where children are
LAWN CARE
symptoms of underlying problems. concerned. Healthy Environment, Strong Communities, Accountable Government
Conventional Children crawl and play on the lawn,
methods that put hands and toys in their mouths, and Where can I find organic products?
address those have more contact with pets, which may Find a list of recommended lawn and garden
symptoms with have pesticides on their fur. stores at neighborhood-network.org, or ask at
chemicals that Exposure to toxins at a critical period any better nursery.
can be harmful of development can result in permanent
to human health damage to the nervous system. Some name brand products to look for:
and the environ- Children’s livers, kidneys, and other -Bonide -Liquid Fence
ment are simply detoxification systems are not fully -Concern -Messina Wildlife
not sustainable. developed. Many Pesticides remain -Critter ridder -Organica
The Organic approach increases soil longer in their bodies, doing more harm. -Earth Tone -Ringer
health, helps prevent disease with natu- -Espoma -Safer Brand
ral materials, and enhances soil life. -Garden Safe -Shake Away
-Garlic Barrier -St. Gabriel's
-Hot Pepper Wax -Victor Poison Free
The Neighborhood Network
7180 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Tel: 631-963-5454 neighborhood-network.org

2. Mowing The best time to water is in the early morning, just Compost Pest Control
Cutting grass higher (3' to 3.5') will shade out before 6 AM. Watering should never be done at night and Compost contains beneficial microorganisms, and Weeds
weed seeds and keep them from germinating. This generally not in midday sunlight. organic material. Weeds take hold in bare or thin patches.
is the easiest, most basic Seeding These are especially important for the first two Mowing higher, seeding bare spots, and proper fer-
step to controlling weeds Seed with fescue blend, a blend is preferable to a sin- years of transition to an organic program. Spread 1/4 tilization will prevent most weed problems. Small
and eliminating pesticide gle strain of seed, because different strains will survive inch thick on turf then rake in. outbreaks of perennial
use. Avoid cutting off more different diseases and weather conditions. Kentucky blue Some landscaping companies are now providing weeds can be weeded by
than one-third of the grass grass can grow on Long Island, but it needs more water compost tea applications, which provides many of the hand or killed with hot
blade at a time. Cutting and fertilizer than other grass. benefits of compost, but is easier to use. water. Cover large patches
more can shock the plant Thick turf is the best way to prevent weeds. Seed Soil Amendments of annual weeds with a mix
and inhibit root growth. In Longer blades mean bare and thin patches. The best time is the end of Lime of lime and compost, then
longer roots
the spring, you may have to August through September; you can also seed in late Test the pH of your soil before applying. Soil test seed on top. Adding calci-
mow more than once a week. Always keep mower April into May. kits are available at local garden stores. You can also um discourages dandelions;
blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass, leaving larger Keep the lawn aerated. Earthworms and other soil send a soil sample to Cornell proper pH helps control
surface areas vulnerable to disease. life are the best aerator. In heavy traffic areas you may Cooperative Extension for testing. crab grass.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn, providing occasionally need to use a core Keep the pH as close to 6.5 as possi- Grubs
vital nitrogen to keep the lawn green. This will aerator. (Do not use spike ble. Long Island soil is likely to be Soil insects such as grubs can be controlled
reduce the need for fertilization and watering. In mechanicisms, as these tend to more acidic (less than 6.5). If your with beneficial nematode. Apply nematode in the
healthy organic soil the clippings break down quick- compact soil to the side of the soil is too acidic, add lime to raise early morning or late evening, or on a rainy or
ly, a mulching mower will speed the break down. spike.) Follow with a top dress- the pH of the soil. Look for calcitic cloudy day, and in spring or late summer. Direct
Watering ing of compost, and apply grass lime rather than dolomitic, unless sunlight will kill these delicate microscopic worms.
Water infrequently but deeply. Only about once seed to crowd out any weeds. you know your lawn needs magne- Other Pest Insects
every 7 to 10 days in the summer when there has Fertilizer sium. In addition to raising pH, Insects can be controlled with a number of
not been a good rain. Light watering encourages Fertilizer is less important for organic lawns than it lime adds calcium, which discour- organic products, one example is garlic juice, which
shallow root growth. Shallow roots dry out quickly is for chemically-dependent lawns. Low-maintenance age dandelions, because they thrive in low calcium repels mosquitoes and ticks. Do not spray garlic on
in dry, hot weather. fescues, where clippings are left on the lawn will need soil. Pellitized lime is effective and easy to apply; if flowering fruit trees or vegetable gardens, or bees
You should wet the soil down to the full root very little added nitrogen. Kentucky blue grass may applying powdered lime, wear a dust mask. will not pollinate them. If you are having a party,
depth, about 6 inches.To know how deep the soil is need as much as 2 lbs./1,000 square feet per year. Apply Kelp spray a few days before. The garlic odor will be
saturated, stick a shovel or half the year’s fertilizer around Memorial Day and the Kelp products are a natural source of micro-nutri- strong until it dries in about a day. Garlic will keep
spade into the soil and press other half around Labor Day. If you only fertilize once a ents including vitamins, plant growth hormones, and mosquitoes away for two to four weeks.
forward; look behind the year, Labor Day is the better time. Do not fertilize in late trace minerals. Using kelp in the spring can protect Hot pepper wax will repel insects from your
spade to see how far down fall (after October). your lawn from summer heat stress. It also helps bushes, flowers and vegetables.
Frequent, water has reached. Or water If your turf needs nitrogen, use organic fertilizer establish grass seed. Dollar Spot and Other Fungal Diseases
light watering long enough to apply an inch with low water soluble nitrogen, 5% or less is good. Rock Dust Apply a high quality compost, composted
encourages
shallow roots of water on sandy soil (more Organic fertilizers have a much lower N-P-K numbers, Rock dust adds trace minerals that are important wood bark, compost tea, or a microbial inoculant
on clay). If you do not know usually adding up to about 10 to 15. Soil microbes make for plant growth. Remineralizing your soil will containing trichoderma fungus. When you mow,
the rate of your sprinkler, put a coffee can in its the nutrients plant-aviable, releasing them slowly. improve turf vitality. this can be spread any time of remove clippings so they do not spread the disease.
range and measure the water collected after an hour. Adding white clover seed will reduce the need for the year, even in winter after a thaw. Do not over-water or water in the evening.
Do not over-water. Too much water can suffo- fertilizer. Clover “fixes” nitrogen from the air, adding it Rock phosphate Feed the soil
cate turf and encourage disease. More lasting dam- to soil. Grass and most other plants cannot. However, Rock phosphate will add phosphorous which is Remember weeds, insects, and diseases are
age can be done to a lawn by over-watering than by clover blossoms may attract bees. If children play on important for root systems. It should be applied in the indicators of an underlying condition. If you only
drought. Organic lawns have better soil structure your lawn frequently, you might want to avoid clover. fall. Avoid run-off near fresh water bodies. treat the symptom and not the cause they will
and more organic material, they hold more water recur. The underlying cause, is usually malnutri-
and can withstand dry weather better. tion of the soil and the plant. Compost, compost
tea, and proper pH balance will solve many prob-
lems.