How to Grow Grass Organically

The major difference between organic growing and conventional growing is that no chemicals are used for weed control or pest control when growing organically. In essence, the grass is allowed to grow and proliferate on its own without any synthetic additives. Done in this way, the grass literally chokes out weeds, requires less maintenance and, the lack of any chemicals in the grass, makes it safe for all lawn activities.

• 1

  Cut your grass to no less than 3 inches high, and leave the lawn clippings on the lawn so they can naturally break down into mulch. A mulching mower works best for this, but any type of mower will work as long as the grass is not collected. Leaving grass this high allows more surface area per blade, which in turn gets more nutrients from sunlight. More nutrients means a naturally healthier and denser lawn and root structure.

• 2

  Feed your grass with organic fertilizers. Peat moss, compost, seaweed mixes or any type of certified organic fertilizer, feeds your lawn effectively, while keeping it 100 percent organic. An advantage of using an organic fertilizer is that it releases nutrients slowly, so there is little worry about burning the grass after application. Your children and pets can have immediate access to the just-fertilized grass.

• 3

  Spread corn gluten meal in the spring to control weeds, such as dandelions and crabgrass. Mowing high also chokes out weeds as does light re-seeding every spring, using two pounds of grass seed per every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Thick and dense grass is the most effective weed preventer. However, when in doubt, the most organic way to rid your grass of weeds is to pull them by hand.