Your lawn can be only as good as the soil under it. When you
use
slow release, organic lawn fertilizer, you provide your lawn with
nutrition that grows healthy, disease and drought resistant green turf.
Although you may want to be the first on your block to have a green
carpet in front of your home, healthy grass needs to grow at its own
rate. Organic lawn fertilizer feeds your lawn from the soil, allowing
it to grow naturally and establish a deep and expansive root system
that is necessary to growing strong and healthy turf.
Over fertilization actually grows your lawn to death. Chemical
fertilizers basically leave all their nutrients on the surface of the
soil, killing the microorganisms that work to keep soil healthy. High
nitrogen fertilizers are foliar feeders; they help top-growth, which
looks good and deceives you into believing you have a healthy lawn.
However, half of all soluble nitrogen leaches out of your soil before
it can be absorbed. If all your "lawn food" is on your soil instead of
in it, your grass has no need to develop a good root system.
Organic lawn fertilizer breaks down slowly, feeding your lawn as it
adds nutrients to the soil. Roots feed from these nutrients and build
up a reserve of carbohydrates keeping your lawn healthy and promoting
steady growth during times of stress caused by disease or drought.
Start with a soil test before you fertilize. Knowing the present
condition of your soil helps you develop a solid organic lawn
fertilizer plan that addresses your soils long term needs by providing
a balance of needed nutrients with organic lawn fertilizer and soil
amendments.
A good organic lawn fertilizer of fine ground compost allows the
particles to fall between the blades of grass and reach the crowns or
stolons of your grass and its roots. Apply sifted compost with a drop
spreader and to an established lawn as a tonic. Top dressing with
compost both improves the soil and nourishes your turf.
Remember, a truly healthy lawn takes time to develop. Grass that is
growing well doesnt need fertilizer. Fertilize to supply missing
nutrients to the soil using a slow-release or water in-soluble organic
lawn fertilizer that releases nutrients at the rate your turf needs
them. When looking for a specific type or brand of organic lawn
fertilizer, a good place to check is the extensive list maintained by
attra,(http://attra.org/attra-pub/orgfert.html.)
Linda is author of The
Lawn Care section of Lanwmowers-Guide.com
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