It’s never been simpler to tend to landscapes and lawns employing natural and organic treatment methods. With the spike in popularity, a wide range of organic lawn and landscaping products are readily available to homeowners. For those who prefer to have a professional lawn care company provide annual routine maintenance, many businesses are including organic and natural options to traditional programs. Following a basic schedule can guarantee a gorgeous landscape that is also pest-free.
Among the first jobs of the organic gardening schedule is to administer dormant oil, frequently called horticultural oil. The most desirable time to apply dormant oil is in the months of January and February whenever there will be a period when the temperature will not drop below 50 degrees for at least twenty-four hours or longer. Dormant oil is sprayed onto landscaping to eliminate harmful and annoying insects and fungi including scale and spider mites. It is highly toxic to annual flowers, though, so it’s best to cover any plants that might be in the area being treated.
The months of February and March are prime times to aerate your lawn and landscaping. Proper aeration is essential to provide the means for water, nutrients and oxygen to permeate the soil to get the best results. Liquid aeration contains soil microorganisms and humates and is applied to the landscape. Mechanical core lawn aeration can be done with any one of a number of instruments for that purpose. This method works extremely well on St. Augustine grass that has suffered from severe winter weather.
Fertilizing at the outset of winter with a product that is abundant with potassium, magnesium and sulfur will make sure that a landscape has the proper nutrients stored for spring growth. Even though your lawn and landscaping may appear to have died, they are actually just dormant. It’s important to provide the proper fertilizer to support them through the severe winter months.
March, April and May are generally the time to apply natural fertilizer. When working with a natural fertilizer, there is no need to worry about over-fertilizing or having the fertilizer wash away. Natural fertilizers contain microbers that break down gradually, so that they supply nutrients slowly. If there are any acid loving plants such as azaleas, hollies and photinias in your landscaping, they will benefit greatly from an application of organic sulfur. Apply another round of organic fertilizer from around September to November. It will help supply lawns and landscaping a boost after having suffered through the heat of summer.
Choosing organic compounds, fertilizers and procedures is not any more time consuming, expensive or challenging than using conventional ones. It’s safer and far better for the environment.
Jason shows you how to get your lawn looking tip top for this summer and the preparation starts right now.