Having a beautiful lawn without any weeds or pests are great to look at, but if that look has been achieved with the use of pesticides or herbicides, you may be getting more than what you bargained for. Pesticides are toxins that do much more than just killing pests, they are harmful not only to the pests, but also all forms of life forms around the pests. So what options do we have to achieve a beautiful lawn or garden flourishing with bees and flowers, without the use of toxic herbicides and pesticides? The answer is lies in organic gardening techniques, which work just as well for lawns and flower gardens as they do for vegetable gardens. There’s no need for toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers when you follow the principles of healthy gardening.

Here are some great tips for your garden and lawns:

Mowing your lawn

Mow your lawn often, during the rainy season and less so in the drier season.  Leave the grass height at least 2 inches (5cm) high to help it develop strong roots and crowd out weed growth. To reduce the lawn’s need for fertilizer, allow grass clippings to remain on the ground after mowing to provide nutrients as they decompose.

Feeding your lawn

Once every year in the fall, feed your lawn by spreading a quarter to half an inch (6-12mm) of compost over the grass or use an organic fertilizer. Manure is a great choice for slow release of nutrients. Synthetic fertilizers do make the grass grow quickly but also makes it more susceptible to disease.

Watering your lawn

Frequent watering of a lawn causes the grass to develop a shallow root system. Instead, water thoroughly once a week, or twice if really necessary. Not sure how much to water? Place a straight-sided glass jar near a sprinkler. When one inch of water (25mm) has been collected in it, it’s time to move the sprinkler to another area.

Combating pet urine

Nothing like the neighbour’s pet marking their territory by urinating on your lawn!  Soak the whole area with water at once to prevent the grass from scorching and turning brown due to the acidity in the urine.

Natural weed control

Weeds are easy to restrain without chemical herbicides if you establish a consistent weed-prevention and control program. In order not to let the weeds take hold, do not leave any patches of bare ground available. Cover these areas with grass seeds or mulch or grass cuttings.  Mulch garden beds heavily, and scatter grass seed on thin spots in your lawn as soon as they appear. Mow your lawn often, but do not cut it too short. Mowing frequently also cut down the weeds by removing the flowering heads that spread the seeds.

Weeding when its dry

When soil is extremely dry, don’t pull weeds as it disturbs the soil and causes additional moisture loss. Instead, remove weeds at the surface of the soil with an oscillating hoe.

Eat your weeds

Many common weeds are edible, such as lamb’s quarter and dandelion, use the young leaves to add taste, flavour and health to spring salads.

TAKING CARE OF FLOWERS AND SHRUBS

For annual plants

To keep your annuals blooming for as long as possible, regularly remove withered blossoms to keep the plant from going to seed and to stimulate re blooming. To encourage the growth of full and dense plants, pinch off the tips of new growth with your fingers.

Rejuvenating perennials

Different perennials have different requirements, however, most perennials like Hostas need to be divided every few years to prune out weak or dead sections and rejuvenate the plant. Ideally, do this on a cool dry day in the spring or fall when it is least traumatic for the plant. Dig up the plant, including as much root as possible. Divide again into the size of plants you want. Throw away unhealthy or damaged parts. Replant the divided sections immediately.

Tulip and daffodil care

Cut tulip and daffodil flower stalks to the ground after they bloom. But let the leaves remain for at least eight weeks to help the bulbs generate energy for next year’s spring flowers.

Boost rose booms and color with Epsom salts

The magnesium in Epsom salts helps roses absorb nutrients more readily, stimulating more blooms and better colors. Sprinkle a teaspoon per 12in (30cm) of plant height and scratch into the soil in the spring. Repeat after the roses have bloomed.

Enjoy a healthy and pesticide free lawn and garden this year!

Adapted from: 1001 Natural Remedies by Natural Health Magazine