A typical Organic Lawn Care Program
This is a typical organic lawn care schedule for an entire year. The thing about organic lawn care is that nothing is set in stone and the program should be based on your lawns specific needs. Remember a great and ecological friendly program always starts with a soils test. Then the program is developed around those results. We like to follow scheduled program and with that in mind, I drafted this typical organic lawn care program schedule. The first couple of years require more work but as your lawn is cleaned from its synthetic addiction, you can remove some of these items from this schedule. If you are redistricted by finances, perform only the items you feel are important and based on your budget. Some of these items are free
March:
Perform your first cut with a bag attached to capture any mold or disease that may have formed under the winter snow pack. Rake up any leaves, twigs, litter or debris. Start a new compost pile to dump any yard waste for the year. Fix plow damage or salt damage. If the forsythia and daffodils start to bloom apply your corn gluten meal.
April:
If the forsythia and daffodils start to bloom apply your corn gluten meal. If thatch is issues then rake and dethatch your lawn. Core aerate you lawn and top dress with compost in late April. Spot treat any weeds or dandelions prior to developing a seed head.
May:
Spot treat any weeds or dandelions prior to developing a seed head. Apply milky spore for grub control (guaranteed for ten years). Apply organic fertilizer pellets.
June:
Spot treat any weeds or plantain prior to developing a seed head. Apply compost tea or humic acid/seaweed mix. Raise the mowing height to 4 inches if it's a dry or hot June.
July:
Apply compost tea or humic acid/seaweed mix. Raise the mowing height to shade and maintain moisture. Remember, water deeply but infrequently.
August:
Apply compost tea or humic acid/seaweed mix. Raise the mowing height to shade and maintain moisture. Remember, water deeply but infrequently.
September:
Around Labor Day sometime in late August or early September, you should core aerate, top dress with compost, overseed, and apply organic fertilizer. Lower your mowing height back to 3-3.5 inches depending on the weather.
October:
Mulch or bag any leaves while mowing. Perform a soils test and send to the lab.
November:
Mulch or bag leaves while mowing. Lower the mowing height without scalping the lawn. Be sure the lawn is free of large leaves and debris. Apply the final application of compost tea or humic acid/seaweed mix.
Over the winter:
Review your lab results, sent up next years program and order spring supplies.
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