Warm temperatures sweeping the nation mean that organic yard care enthusiasts can finally breathe a minute and get out and start working on their turf. The reason I say this is because, for those of us who treat our lawns naturally without synthetic nutrients, results come slower.
The reason organically treated lawns come along a little slower is that natural nutrients need sufficient heat or prolonged periods in order to release nitrogen into the soil. On the other hand, their synthetic counterparts will release nutrients with only water by dissolving. Long story short, organic lawn treatments need heat to show results, and depending where you live, that may not happen until late April or early May.
Fear not, however, my organic lawn care friends, because your commitment to our environment will pay off not just in being a friend to the Earth, but more so in the better results you get. That’s right guys, organically treated lawns look better in the long haul! That is because organically treated lawns get their nutrients slowly in readily available form, thus increasing health and vigor in a systematic, natural manner. Synthetically fertilized lawns show great promise quickly, but tend to fade over time; like a child coming down from a sugar high!
With that in mind, here are some of the best natural fertilizers you should consider for your organically treated lawn care program.
Milorganite: this organic lawn fertilizer is known as a bio-solid because it comes directly from sewage treatement plants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While that may turn you off, the fertilizer itself turns up the vigor of grass plants. Milorganite contains slow release nitrogen and also iron. Iron is what makes the lawn that deep blue that sets it apart. Milorganite is available for around $15 for a 36 lb bag that will treat 2,500 square feet. It requires just a couple applications; one in early summer, and another in later fall.
Ringer: this natural lawn treatment is mostly poultry waste and parts and works very well as a lawn restoration fertilizer in early spring. The slow release nitrogen will sink deep into turf roots and be taken in slowly, restoring turf density and color over time. I usually don’t recommend Ringer as an everyday fertilizer, but is works well on lawns that just won’t seem to grow. It does have an overpowering smell to it, so be prepared! No on said organic lawn care was pretty.
Worm Castings: for those of you who are 100% against the use of any animal (mammal) products in your organic lawn care regimen, then worm castings are for you. Earth worms excrete an extremely clean and mineral rich slurry which is collected, dried and packed for lawn and garden fertilizer. It is very expensive, but works well for those of you who are on the Earth friendly extreme.
Other than that, you should properly mow and water your lawn all year long to keep it in top shape! I wish you the best of luck in your organic lawn care endeavors this season!
You can get all the info about organic lawn treatment at our natural yard care blog.