Education
Education on organic lawn maintenance
An organic lawn maintenance approach is not hard, although it differs in some aspects from conventional turf care practices of the past few decades. Above all, the key to a successful all-natural Organic Turf Care (OTC) program is to apply the right products with proper cultural practices; one without the other is a set up for failure. We break organic turf care down into its key components. As a result, education on organic lawn maintenance is accessible and easy to follow.
4 components of Healthy Turf:
Soil chemistry
Create and maintain a hospitable environment for the soil biology necessary for growing turf. Correct pH and calcium to magnesium imbalances.
Soil biology
Feed the microbes in the soil an All-Natural Organic Fertilizer. Then, microbes remain active and feed the plant.
Soil structure
Promote the porosity and nutrient holding capacity of the soil. We address organic matter and CEC deficiencies.
cultural practices
In addition, proper mowing, aeration, over-seeding and irrigation practices have a tremendous impact on the success of your program.
Soil Testing
Soil testing is the cornerstone to any successful all-natural Organic Lawn Care Program. Therefore, we begin education on organic lawn maintenance with the soil. Grass requires a certain environment to grow. What occurs underground directly affects what you see above ground.
PJC Ecological uses an independent laboratory to test soil. We analyze pH, buffer pH, cation-exchange capacity, base saturation and % organic matter.
Soil testing provides critical information about the current state of the soil. Therefore, results are used as a baseline to set expectations. These results determine the type and amount of soil amendments needed. Moreover, we customize a program to create the healthy environment YOUR grass requires.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers work with nature by feeding the soil biology. In turn, soil biology feeds the plant. We use PJC ProHealthy Turf® All Natural Organic Fertilizers with all natural inputs. Our fertilizer builds soil quality and encourages soil biology. PJC ProHealthy Turf® fertilizers are 100% Water Insoluble Nitrogen and there is no contact problem for the applicator. As a result, the area is safe for use by people and pets immediately after application. PJC ProHealthy Turf® Fertilizers have been proven in the marketplace since 1995.
Soybean Based. No manure or sewage sludge.
No phosphorous for water sensitive areas.
Slow release ingredients (lasts 7-10 weeks).
Meets USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards.
OMRI listed and approved for use by NOFA .
On the USDA BioPreferred Product list.
Mowing
In organic lawn maintenance, proper mowing heights impact the success of your grass. Higher mowing heights help shade the soil. This blocks sunlight to the soil surface and directly affects soil temperature. As a result, cooler soil temperature and lack of sunlight discourage weed seed germination.
With more surface area, turf grass carries on greater levels of photosynthesis. Through increased levels of photosynthesis, a deeper, more vigorous root system is developed. Greater root mass enables turf to be more wear resistance, drought tolerant, and endure greater stress.
On the flip side, mowing short stresses the grass. Shorter blades allow the soil to heat up more quickly, encouraging the growth of summer weeds. Another benefit of a healthy root system is the addition of as much as ½ to 4 tons of organic matter per acre to the soil on an annual basis.
Mowing heights should change over the course of the growing season. Heights should start at 2.5 inches in early spring. By June, grass should be 3-4 inches. Finally, conclude the season in November at 2.5 inches. When mowing, cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
Watering
Watering should be deep, infrequent, and in the morning. Grass should receive .75–1 inches of water a week through natural rainfall or irrigation. If irrigating, this may mean that each zone is in operation for 50 minutes to an hour depending on flow rate (1-2 times a week). To test how much water is being delivered, use a small can and measure the water collected.
However, during extreme heat grass should be watered more frequently for shorter periods. Take note that over-watering can lead to soil compaction and disease.
Over-seeded areas: Ensure that soil and seed stay moist, not wet. Water two times a day for approximately 10 – 15 minutes, mid-morning & afternoon. Maintain a watering schedule until seed germinates. This will take approximately two to three weeks. Once the seed germinates, cut back watering to once per day in the morning. Then transition to every other day. Finally, water twice per week as the root system gets establishes. Once germination is complete, you need to water one inch weekly to maintain a healthy lawn. Grass can take up to 18 months to become fully established.
Over-Seeding
When entering into education on organic lawn maintenance, remember that a dense stand of turf is the best way to crowd out weeds. Like any crop, grass must be regularly planted to ensure the highest yield and thickest lawn. Since grass is cut before it goes to seed it is necessary to periodically over-seed.
In the spring, seed slice to avoid bringing weed seeds to the surface. We recommend using a Tri Rye perennial grass seed known for its quick germination.
Late summer/early fall is the best time to repair thin turf. Repair by broadcast over-seeding when aerating. We recommend a combination of rye grass, blue grass and fescues.
Trouble spots and bare areas should be repaired. To repair, break up soil with iron rake, mix seed with loam/compost and cover area with soil/seed mixture. (soil-to-seed contact is necessary).
If budget is an issue, fall over-seeding should be the priority because you have the best chance of success. Don’t go cheap when it comes to grass seed! Use a high-quality grass seed that has a germination rate of >90%.
Aeration
Aeration is the mechanical means to relieve compaction of the soil. Compacted soil favors weed growth over grass. When aerating, soil cores are cut and returned to the lawn, allowing grass roots to spread and breathe.
For most residential lawns, the aeration recommendation is once per season, in the fall. Mid-August through the beginning of October is the best time to aerate. During this time, root growth is most vigorous. We recommend aeration in the fall to avoid bringing spring weed seeds to the surface. Over-seeding is always encouraged when core aerating.
Grass Clippings
In an All-Natural Turf Care program, grass clipping should be returned. With a healthy ecosystem, the return of clippings adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Clippings serve as a natural fertilizer equal to one application per season. Healthy soil biology breaks down the grass clippings. Therefore, you save on labor by not needing to bag and dispose of the clippings.
Frequently asked questions
1. ARE ALL “ORGANIC” FERTILIZERS THE SAME? No. A fertilizer can be labeled “organic” simply because it contains carbon. Organic fertilizers can include plant or animal meals, manure, Chilean nitrate, municipal or industrial waste, or synthetic organic products. Each type has different benefits an drawbacks. Some synthetic organic fertilizers contain Water Soluble Nitrogen (WSN), often from urea. These can cause rapid growth and increase risk of runoff, burning, and groundwater leaching.
PJC’s ProHealthy Turf® All Natural Premium Organic fertilizers are plant-based and nutrient rich. They contain amino acids that support beneficial soil microbes, helping plants absorb nutrients while improving soil health and organic matter.
2. ARE PJC’s PROHEALTHY TURF® FERTILIZERS SAFE? Yes. Our fertilizers are made from all-natural ingredients and help build healthier soil while supporting beneficial soil biology. They contain 100% water soluble nitrogen, so nutrients stay in the soil rather than running off or leaching. Lawns are safe for people and pets immediately after application.
3. DOES AN ORGANIC FERTILIZATION PROGRAM COST MORE? No. over time, organic programs often require fewer inputs. By improving soil health, the soil and plants develop a stronger natural relationship that supports growth. As soil conditions improve, longterm maintenance often requires less time and money.
4. DO ORGANIC FERTILIZERS TAKE LONGER TO GREEN UP? Organic fertilizers rely on soil biology to make nutrients available to the plant. Once soil temperatures reach about 50°F and microbes become active, green up usually occurs within 7-10 days. Synthetic fertilizers can green up lawns in 2-3 days, but they force rapid growth that can stress the plant and increase disease risk. Organic programs provide steadier growth because nutrients are stored in the soil and released as the plant needs them.
5. IS THERE A TRANSITION PERIOD? Transition time depends on soil health, weed or pest pressure, past synthetic treatments, expectations, and budget. In the Northeast, soils are often sandy, low in organic matter, and acidic. If starting with poor soil, it may take 3-5 years to develop dense, healthy turf while improving soil conditions. If soil and turf are already healthy, the transition can be much smoother. Lawn care practices such as mowing and watering also play a major role in success.
6. WHAT ABOUT WEEDS? Even chemically treated lawns have weeds. PJC’s organic approach focuses on why weeds are present and improve soil conditions to reduce them. As soil health improves, turff becomes thicker and better able to compete with weeds. Some weeds may still appear, but the lawn can still look full and healthy. Over time, organic programs typically require fewer inputs than chemical programs.
7. CAN PESTICIDES STILL BE USED? Yes, but we prefer to avoid them. Pesticides can slow the process of an organic program and increase costs and transition time. Many properties successfully stop using pesticides altogether. If they are used during the transition, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices can often reduce pesticide use by 50% or more. IPM means treating only when a confirmed problem exists. Because pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can reduce soil biology, we recommend applying PJC’s ProHealthy Turf® Organic Fertilizer afterward to help restore soil activity.