There are several different pests and weeds that can have an effect on your lawn.  Natural organic lawn care practices do not use synthetic chemicals to manage pests. 

Understanding Weeds

Weed Management

Lawn Diseases

Lawn Insects

Understanding Weeds

A lawn that has been established on high quality topsoil will be dense and have few weeds.  In an organically managed lawn, some plants that are conventionally considered to be weeds are actually kept because they are beneficial.  For example, clover can convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that will provide nutrients for the lawn, reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer required.

Weeds often thrive under conditions that grasses cannot tolerate.  They can be found where soil has been exposed or disturbed by compaction, planting, or landscaping activities such as edging.  Weeds also occur where grass has been weakened by drought, thatch accumulation, diseases, or insects, because the grass cannot compete for nutrients, water, or light.  When the grass species is not well-adapted to its environment and loses density, weeds are more common.  

Knowledge of the life cycles of difference weed species is an important part of management.  Annual weeds grow, flower, and produce seed in a single season; they die at the end of that season.  Biennial weeds grow during the spring, summer, and fall of their first year, survive over winter, flower and produce seed in the next growing season, then die.  Therefore, some biennial stages are likely to be present throughout the year.  Perennials return every year from a hardy crown and root system and can produce seed each season.  Mowing a patch of annual weeds to remove the flowers can prevent spreading more seeds.  However, disturbing weeds that produce rhizomes, stolons, or bulbs can break them into smaller pieces, which may result in dispersal rather than elimination of the weed.

Regularly inspect your lawn for actively growing weeds, as well as newly germinated weed seedlings.  Annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtails are considered major weeds because they can effectively compete with grasses and significantly reduce lawn density in a single season.  Dandelions are common in home lawns, especially where the lawn is thin or mowed too short.  One way to eliminate them is to cut as much of the dandelion roots as possible in early spring, immediately after they have leafed out and continue this process as new growth appears.  The roots will send up new growth until the plant eventually runs out of energy and dies.  (back to top)

Weed Management

The following techniques can help you manage weeds in your natural organic lawn:

• Mow at 2.5 to 3 inches to keep your lawn dense, discourage weed seed germination, preserve grass crowns and leaves for photosynthesis, and eliminate weed flowers and seed heads. Frequent mowing will prevent or reduce seed production in some weed species.
• Fertilize more heavily in fall and use slow release products in late spring and summer.
• Do not frequently irrigate your lawn because this discourages grass root growth and can encourage weed seed germination.  If you irrigate, follow proper practices.
• Renovate chronically thin lawns to regionally native or adapted species.  Bare spots and thinned areas should be reseeded.  Fall is the best time to do this for cool-season grasses.
• Use organic-based herbicides such as corn gluten or herbicidal soaps, as appropriate.

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Lawn Diseases

Your lawn can develop diseases for a variety of reasons including too much or too little water, excessive heat or shade, and poor soil.  Lawn diseases do not always kill the grass, but more often create an undesirable appearance.  Diseases can be prevented by ensuring proper soil conditions, using native grass species, and consistent lawn maintenance.  For severe lawn diseases, the best approach may be to renovate the lawn start from the beginning.  (back to top)

Lawn Insects

Healthy lawns contain a variety of insects, including some that are beneficial.  These beneficial insects may prey on potential pests or contribute to the decay organic matter in the lawn.  The most important management practices to reduce insect pests are grass species selection, thatch management, proper mowing and irrigation.

GreenerGreenGrass Bug Blocker Blend is specially formulated to repel damaging insects without disrupting the beneficial insects that contribute to keeping your lawn healthy.  (back to top)

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