Fall lawns may not need mowing, but they certainly need care. Here are some things to help insure healthy turf.
Fertilize Lawns
Whether you live in the south with lush St. Augustine lawns, or in colder areas with fescue or other grass varieties, now’s the time to fertilize.
Organics
Organic gardeners like to spread about an inch of organic compost (not manure, not leaf mold, and not chemical fertilizers but organic compost) over their lawns at this time of year. An alternative is Microlife, Bradfield, Erth-Rite, WOW-Plus or another organic fertilizer. Read the labels to ensure the fertilizer you use is organic. Follow the directions on the label as well.
Purchase Organic Fertilizers and Compost
Look in your phonebook for an area company that offers organic compost. They will usually deliver it (on your driveway or another place you designate), but don’t expect them to spread it.
Organic fertilizers shouldn’t be difficult to come by. Chain garden outlets usually carry smaller bags while feed stores and many local nurseries usually carry larger amounts. If you can’t find it, ask your local nursery to order it for you. As an alternative, you can always order it online or through a catalogue, but shipping charges may prove costly.
Spreading
The best way to spread compost is by shovel. If you can afford it, hire a couple of neighborhood high school kids or some day laborers to help you spread it.
If you’re using organic fertilizers, a handheld, crank-operated spreader will work just fine for relatively small lawns (say 5,000 square feet or less)
For a larger area, broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders work better and cover larger areas.
Compost and Fertilizer Odor
Organic compost shouldn’t have any odor, or should have a neutral odor. Organic fertilizer made from fish emulsion may have a disagreeable odor, but it dissipates quickly (in a day or two).
Functions
Organic composts and organic fertilizers generally contain fewer total nutrients than do synthetic substances. However, they have significantly greater benefits to the soil and health of plants.
Organic materials heighten the organic content of the soil. They help amend the structure of the soil, allowing soil to hold more water and air to reach roots of plants. They also increase beneficial microbes in the soil, which in turn help plants absorb the natural nutrients already present in the soil.
Additionally, organic substances do not poison water supplies and environment as do synthetic fertilizers.
Remember not to over fertilize. That may do more damage to plants than not fertilizing at all.
