Green lawn
Many homeowners aspire to have a lawn that looks like it could be the green of a golf course. However, it takes work for a lawn to have that "golf course look." Lawn fertilizers are often necessary to achieve that look. However, use fertilizers sparingly because the runoff from watering the lawn can carry off the chemicals, eventually getting into local water supplies and contaminating the water. Does this Spark an idea?
Chemical Fertilizers
Choose a lawn fertilizer that is very low in phosphorus. Lawn fertilizers list the three main ingredients on the package and the amount of each. The most important number is the middle number, which represents phosphorus. Keep this number at zero, or as close to zero as possible. The first number is nitrogen. Nitrogen should be a slow-release compound so it is not washed away in the runoff from rain, which can cause it to contaminate water supplies. The third ingredient is potassium. Do not purchase fertilizer where the number for this compound is more than 15. The best fertilizer for a lawn is 10-0-15. Fertilize twice only, in April and again in August. Do not fertilize before a rainstorm. Rain will wash away the fertilizer if it rains too hard.
Save Grass Cuttings
Do not throw away grass clippings. Leave the cut grass on the lawn after mowing. The cut grass will decompose into the soil and feed the existing grass.
Instead of cutting the grass short, raise the level of the mower to a level three or four or as high as possible to prevent shock to the grass. The best height for grass will depend on the type of grass you are growing, but letting the grass grow to at least 4 inches will prevent shock. Cutting the grass short causes the lawn to lose moisture at a faster rate. Additionally, grass that is left tall will germinate and make the turf thicker when cut.
Organic Fertilizers
All-natural lawn fertilizers are good alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Two options are available to gardeners--all-natural or organic lawn fertilizers. Purchase organic fertilizers made with manure and use according to package directions.
Make your own fertilizer. Make a tea with the droppings from chickens, horses or cows, if available. Add one shovel full of manure to 20 gallons of water and let it ferment for one week. Put in a lawn sprayer and spray the lawn completely. Apply to the lawn as needed after a rain or every six weeks.
An all-purpose yard fertilizer can the added benefits-- this one gets rid of grubs and bugs. while feeding your plants: Mix one can beer, one can regular cola, 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup apple juice, 1 cup lemon-scented liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup all-purpose plant food. Add 1 quart of the fertilizer to a 20-gallon hose sprayer and spray the entire lawn, including plants and grass.
Tags: golf course, grass short, grass will, prevent shock, runoff from, sprayer spray