Lawn care and controlling pests are a priority during the summer. With the heat approaching, it is vital to take steps to control lawn pests to keep your lawn looking lush and beautiful. Do-it-yourself lawn care and pest control can be time-consuming. However, it is easier on your wallet and will result in a beautiful lawn. Natural lawn care depends on healthy soil with good amounts of organic matter and a large population of active soil organisms Does this Spark an idea?
Mowing and Watering
This is an area that seems simple enough, but it really helps to mow your lawn properly. Make sure your lawn mower blades are sharp. You want to cut the grass, not rip it apart. When you mow, set your height adjuster to cut 1/3 of the grass. This prevents sunlight from reaching the soil and keeps weeds from germinating. The cut grass will start to fill in bare spots around your lawn when it is cut this way.
Watering your lawn gives your grass a chance to be healthy and build strong root systems. The best time to water your lawn is early in the day before the heat rises. Healthy grass can fight off disease better, which helps in preventing lawn pests.
Fertilize and Compost
The easiest way to fertilize is by not using a grass collection bag on your mower. Allow the cut grass to stay in your yard, as it germinates young grass and helps to build a greener, thicker lawn. Use an organic fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen to spread on your lawn as well.
Applying compost to your lawn is an excellent way to make sure your grass is getting plenty of nutrients. When using compost, make sure it is well aged. Compost that is fresh can have a tendency to burn your lawn, especially in the dry summer heat. Spread compost evenly over your yard without burying the grass. One way of doing this is by working it down to the soil with a leaf rake.
Control the Grubs
Giving your lawn the food it needs to be strong and healthy is beneficial in controlling weeds, disease and pests. However, your yard may need a little help with grub worms. One way to fend off grubs is by using a spreadable bacterium called Bacillus papillae. The great thing about this is that it only goes after the grubs.
Another organic way to control grubs is by introducing beneficial nematodes. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on grubs by entering them and transmitting bacteria that breaks the grub tissue down into something more palatable. Bacillus papillae and nematodes are spreadable and available at most hardware stores and well-stocked nurseries.
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