THE GREAT HEALTHY YARD PROJECT - ONE SIMPLE THING WE CAN ALL DO TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN A HEALTHY FUTURE.
tghypadmin
September 2, 2014
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THE FOUNDATION OF CARING FOR A LAWN WITHOUT PESTICIDES AND WEED KILLERS IS ALL ABOUT IMPROVING THE SOIL CULTURE

DSC_3618Turf grass becomes dormant when the weather is hot. This allows invasive species like Japanese stilt grass and Japanese clover to intrude. The best way to manage these is to optimize your soil culture and lightly spread grass seed over your existing lawn to outcompete these weeds. Between Labor Day and Halloween is an excellent time to do this, but wait for the excessive heat to abate.
a. Aerate to relieve compaction

b. Overseed to outcompete weeds and choosing the right seed for your area

c. Test the soil for nitrogen, phosphorus and pH with a soil testing kit or with the help of a university cooperative extension. Use compost to replete nutrients only if necessary and lyme to adjust the pH if needed. If available you can test for micronutrients like Calcium and Magnesium. Micronutrients are essential to healthy soil bacteria. Good compost is rich in macro and micro nutrients.

d. Leave the clippings to replace nutrients and help retain moisture

e. Let your lawn grow to 4″ and mow it down to 3″. This gives the plant more area for photosynthesis and longer, stronger, roots.

Well, almost all about soil culture. But it is also about changing our mindset so that we are happy with a few weeds because we know it is healthier for our families.

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I pledge to take care of my yard without synthetic pesticides, weedkillers and fertilizers except on rare occasions to resolve an infestation or to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

I also pledge not to throw pharmaceuticals or chemicals down my drains or toilets.



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©The Great Healthy Yard Project. I pledge to take care of my yard without synthetic pesticides, weedkillers and fertilizers except on rare occasions to resolve an infestation or to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. I also pledge not to throw pharmaceuticals or chemicals down my drains or toilets.