A Great Foundation: 10 Essential Tips to a Natural Lawn

Lawn season is right around the corner! And, if you're thinking of going organic or organic-based for your lawn, there's definitely a lot to think about. Where do you start? Like any worthwhile project, getting the right foundation is key.

Here's a great foundation from our friends at SafeLawns.org:

THE 10 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR A NATURAL LAWN
1. Obtain a soil test - Never spend money on any fertilizer or soil amendment without first consulting the results of a soil test first.
2. Grow the right grass - The most common lawn grasses in North America, Kentucky Bluegrass and Bremudagrass, also need the most water and fertilizer to grow well. Other species such as perennial ryegrass, fescue, seashore paspalum and centipede grass may be better for your region of the country.
3. Water well - Morning watering is always recommended so that the surface of the lawn dries off during the day. Water deeply and infrequently so the roots of the grass learn to grow down into the soil to get the water they need.
4. Think of your soil as alive - "Dirt" is what you track into your house. The material that grows on your lawn, the soil, is alive with organisms large and small. Nurturing that life through proper use of natural materials will lead to a successful natural lawn.
5. Mow properly - Recycling your grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn will provide approximately half your lawn's fertilizer needs for the season. Keep your mower blades sharp. Depending on the species, lawns should be mowed no lower than 2.5 inches, even higher in the summer.
6. Avoid synthetic materials - Fertilizers manufactured in a laboratory often burn lawn grasses and soils. Fertilizers and soil amendments should come from materials that were once living plants or animals, or mined materials such as lime or sulfur.
7. Add compost - Nature's most magical soil additive, compost, contains all sorts of beneficial microorganisms that add life to the soil. These organisms will interact with the organic fertilizers to provide the green lawn many of us covet.
8. See weeds as messengers - Weeds usually appear on lawns only when something is wrong with the soil. Even if we kill the weeds, they'll come back unless we fix the underlying problem with the soil.
9. See insects as messengers - A rush of new grass growth caused my synthetic fertilizers will often attract insects. Predatory insects are rarely a problem in a natural system that's in balance.
10. Overseed regularly - In nature, all plants produce seed to reproduce themselves. In a lawn system, where we mow regularly, grass is not allowed to reproduce and even the healthiest plants get tired. By overseeding in spring and fall, you're introducing robust young plants that will fill in bare areas and compete aggressively against weeds.

At Natural Turf, we exclusively use natural and organic lawncare products that strengthen your lawn to handle summer stress while helping to reduce your water consumption. Call our natural lawn care specialists today for a consultation, or to learn more about our seasonal and year-round lawn care programs.

5 Ways to Reduce Your NJ Water Footprint

Because water is readily available from the faucet, we rarely think twice about how much goes down the drain each day. According to National Geographic, it takes 1,800 gallons a day to support the typical American lifestyle—and that number peaks in the summer when the sprinklers are on full blast.

Many NJ residents make the mistake of drowning their yards in order to achieve a plush, green lawn. While water is vital to maintaining healthy turf, you can reduce the amount you use and conserve a precious natural resource by watering smart--not more! Here are a few changes you can make to reduce your NJ water footprint.

1. Landscape creatively. A smaller lawn equals lower water usage; and shrinking your patch of natural grass also reduces mowing, fertilizing and related pollution. Instead of seeding or sodding your entire yard, plant a healthy mix of ground cover, shrubs, trees and other low-water-use greenery.
2. Select drought resistant or native plants that thrive in the New Jersey climate. If you don’t want to pour a lot of sweat and tears into your yard, consider xeriscaping to incorporate plants that are beautiful--yet require little water and attention.
3. Add mulch and rock. Applying 2-3” of mulch helps retain moisture longer and keeps weeds out. Replace natural turf with mulch or gravel around decks, patios, and playgrounds. This change makes for a virtually maintenance-free and water-free solution.
4. Mow higher, and practice “grasscycle.” Keep blades sharp and adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Lawn experts at Natural Turf recommend mowing at a height of 3-4” in the spring and summer and 2 ½” for the last cut in the fall. Taller blades shade the turf roots, hold soil moisture better and crowd out weeds. Also, leave the grass clippings when you mow. It's a free way to fertilize and return valuable nutrients to the soil.
5. Water deep, not often. Water in the morning, and only when needed: about an inch per week to penetrate through to the roots (and less if it’s cloudy or rainy). Overwatering can lead to turf diseases, wash out nutrients and contribute to runoff and waste.

Remember, every drop counts! The less you use, the more green you save—not only in terms of money, but also the environment. A natural lawn care maintenance program is the sensible choice if you desire a beautiful, healthy lawn but don’t want to jeopardize your family’s health or strip precious natural resources.

At Natural Turf, we exclusively use natural and organic lawncare products that strengthen your lawn to handle summer stress while helping to reduce your water consumption. Call our natural lawn care specialists today for a consultation, or to learn more about our seasonal and year-round lawn care programs.

The Environmental Cost of a Perfect Lawn, Part 2

If you caught our previous blog, you know that pesticides leach into our groundwater at an alarming rate. If you don’t use natural lawn care, you’re likely applying between 3 and 10 pounds of toxic pesticides to each acre of your lawn each year, according to the Toxics Information Project. That creates a large amount of trace chemicals which run off into the ground water and wreak environmental havoc.

According to Beyond Pesticides, 16 of 30 commonly used pesticides are dangerous to birds, 24 to fish, and 11 to bees. Dogs exposed to toxic pesticides are twice as likely to develop canine lymphoma, to say nothing of the beneficial insect species that toxic pesticides WIPE OUT. These therapeutic insects are vital to a healthy lawn, and are left intact in high-quality natural lawncare programs.

And pesticides don’t just harm the wildlife. The Georgia State Government says that 50 percent of the U.S. population relies on ground water for drinking water, and children – who are more vulnerable to pesticides because of their small and growing bodies –remain more likely to be exposed to lawn pesticides than adults. The environmental dangers caused by toxic pesticides affect all of us… even those of us who never use them.

An organic lawn care program can break that cycle. Natural turf is stronger and healthier than a lawn treated with toxic pesticides, and a natural lawncare service can bring out the best in your lawn without harming the environment. At Natural Turf, we believe in the positive benefits of an eco-friendly lawn. Our pesticides work with the local ecosystem: keeping insects out of your lawn without blanketing the area in poisons. Our organic lawn care products enrich the soil and strengthen the roots of your grass, maintaining a healthy lawn for years and decades to come. Your organic grass will look great, and more importantly, you’ll safeguard your family and the nearby environment.

When you start today, you’ll be taking a small step to solve a BIG problem. Contact Natural Turf to discuss our natural and organic lawn care programs, inquire about pricing or schedule a free consultation. We’ll show you how green and beautiful a natural lawn can be!

Protecting Your Kids from Their NJ Backyard

As parents, we go to great lengths to safeguard our children from stranger danger, online predators and substance abuse. Unfortunately, many New Jersey families don’t realize that their kids face grave peril in the midst of their beautiful, green backyard.

Here are the FRIGHTENING FACTS:

1. Children are more vulnerable than adults to the dangerous pesticides used in New Jersey lawncare. Their internal organs are still developing and their small bodies are growing—so they’re less able to detox the poisons they’ve inadvertently absorbed. ¹ The National Academy of Sciences warns that 50 percent of lifetime pesticide exposure happens before kids turn five years old—so early protection is KEY.

2. While adults may experience slight breathing problems from pesticides and chemicals, these pollutants can cause serious breathing problems in children!

3. Studies have linked the pesticides common in NJ lawn care to child asthma, hyperactivity, developmental delays, behavioral conditions, immune suppression and motor disorders.²

4. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that residential pesticide use may increase childhood leukemia risk SEVENFOLD. ³

5. Developing cells are more sensitive to the synthetic poisons used by New Jersey lawn maintenance companies. As childhood cells divide quickly, mutations can spread—and increase cancer and disease risk. ⁴

In addition to environmental exposure, research indicates that NJ pesticides can pass from mother to child through breast milk and shared umbilical cord blood. It’s scary stuff—and the reason that neurologist and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says: “Babies in this country are born pre-polluted.”

Heed the wake-up call! Your kids trust you to protect them, and you can start by exchanging poisonous pesticides for organic New Jersey lawn care. Using safe, natural products like corn gluten meal, Hi-Cal lime and organic fertilizers, Natural Turf works to make your backyard a safe place for kids, pets and adults, alike. Learn more about Natural Turf’s 100% organic lawncare program today by calling 1-866-558-LAWN today!

Natural Turf blog references:

¹ EPA. 1996. Environmental Health Threats to Children. Office of the Administrator. 175-F-96-001. ² http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/facts&figures.htm#xiii. ³ Lowengart, R. et al., 1987. “Childhood Leukemia and Parent’s Occupational and Home Exposures, “ Journal of the National Cancer Institute 79:39. ⁴ http://www.cehi.org/pesticides.html