More often than not, when people think about lawn care, they think that chemicals and pesticides are a requirement for a fresh and vibrant-looking lawn.
The truth is, eco-friendly lawn care, or organic lawn care, is a more effective and sustainable method of achieving a healthy and beautiful lawn.
Eco-friendly lawn care focuses on leaving microbial properties and essential nutrients in the soil, which allow your grass to grow healthier than it would if you used chemical-based care.
Sustainable Lawn Care Methods
If you’re looking for ways to transition to more eco-friendly lawn care methods, here are a few ways to get started:
Test Your Soil
The first thing you’ll want to do is to start with a soil test.
If you have used chemical-based lawn care in the past, you’ll want to have a good understanding of what nutrients your lawn is lacking. This way, you’ll be able to find the right organic products to use to get your lawn the nutrients it needs the most.
Once you have tested your soil, prepare your lawn by mowing it down to 2-inches, pulling weeds, removing dead patches and aerating. This preparation will allow your lawn to fully absorb the organic products you will be using.
Start Composting
Compost is used for sustainable lawn care because it enhances your soil with nutrients to promote growth. It is a go-to natural fertilizer for many people because of how easy it is to implement.
Compost can be made from food scraps, household items and yard waste such as:
- Vegetable and fruit peelings
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- Paper towels
- Paper bags
- Raked leaves
- Grass clippings
When your compost pile is dark and crumbly and the original components are unrecognizable, it’s ready to use as fertilization for your lawn.
Use Organic Lawn Fertilizers
Replace chemical-based lawn fertilizers with organic lawn fertilizers.
Organic lawn fertilizers are an effective way to help boost your lawn during the growing seasons. They work slower, which is actually a benefit because they break down and your soil and lawn are healthier in the end.
Chemical-based fertilizers work very fast, which won’t always address the root issue of your lawn’s health.
Benefits of Sustainable Lawn Care
The benefits of sustainable lawn care include:
Reduce Water Use
Eco-friendly lawn care promotes soil carbon sequestration, which leads to your lawn holding more water in the soil. This means that your lawn will require less watering.
Improved Root Growth
Treating your lawn using sustainable lawn care methods will lead to deeper root growth. Microbial activity in your soil will enable roots to grow deeper into the earth. This also contributes to carbon and water storage.
Healthier Soil
Sustainable lawn care promotes healthier soil by keeping your lawn’s nutrients naturally balanced. This can reduce the risk of disease and pests in your lawn.
Safer For Kids & Pets
Using eco-friendly lawn care methods means your pets or kids will not be exposed to any of the harsh chemicals used in pesticides or other chemical-based lawn care products.
Carbon Positive Lawn Care with Hunt Club East Snow & Lawn
At Hunt Club East, we are committed to eco-friendly lawn care services through our carbon-positive lawn care methods.
Our crews work with your soil first to create a strong foundation for life to grow and thrive in. We introduce a variety of low-maintenance, deep-rooted grass varieties that grow up to six feet into the earth. Our methods of sustainable lawn care help homeowners across Ottawa take a step towards more sustainable gardening.
Contact us if you’re interested in eco-friendly lawn care with Hunt Club East Snow & Lawn in Ottawa.