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Tips for Ecological
Lawn Care
Given the
harmful human health and environmental impact of pesticide use,
more and more people are converting to organic gardening. There
are three key factors to a healthy lawn:
- Healthy
soil
- Pest
resistant plants
- Careful
management
You can have a green,
healthy lawn without chemicals:
- Aerate
your lawn with a spiked
roller in the spring in order to allow oxygen penetration and
improve drainage.
- Cut
your lawn high
(3 inches/7cm) to prevent
weeds.
- Sharpen
your blades
every year. Sharp blades
cut cleaner and easier and diminish the chances of infestation.
- Leave
the grass clippings on your lawn
to provide natural nutrient
and moisture to the soil. They also protect it from the drying
rays of the sun.
- Use
a dethatching rake in
late spring or early summer to get rid of the compacted grass
stems and roots accumulated on the soil's surface. This layer
attracts harmful insects and prevents water and nutrients from
getting in your soil.
- Choose
drought-tolerant seeds
and spread them on the
lawn (after dethatching). A thick lawn will crowd out weeds.
- Once
a year, apply
a thin layer of natural organic matter such
as compost.
- Water
your lawn at most
once a week in the early
morning or early evening. Note that rain will often provide
your lawn with the water it needs (about 1 inch per week).
Learn about the
Impacts of pesticides on human
health and the environment
Sources and
Links
World
Wildlife Fund Canada Lawn Tips
Go
for green Gardening for life
City
of Toronto Healthy Lawns
City
of Seattle Natural Lawn Care Program
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