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There’s just something about walking barefoot across a lush green lawn on a summer’s day. It almost beckons you to revert back to your six-year-old self and start doing cartwheels. Unfortunately getting your lawn in top condition takes a lot of work. The good news is that if you decide to go the natural route — and forgo fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides completely — it will also be less work. Here are 20 different ways to keep your lawn naturally green.
Green Living
20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally Green
April 14, 2020
There’s just something about walking barefoot across a lush green lawn on a summer’s day. It almost beckons you to revert back to your six-year-old self and start doing cartwheels. Unfortunately getting your lawn in top condition takes a lot of work. The good news is that if you decide to go the natural route — and forgo fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides completely — it will also be less work. Here are 20 different ways to keep your lawn naturally green.
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Choose the Right Grass
1/20Choose the Right Grass
1/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
The first step in getting that dream lawn is to plant the right grass. You need cool-season grasses that can tolerate the Canadian climate, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass or fescues. Your garden centre can give you advice on the best type of grass to plant for your yard. You can even use a mix of different grasses. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/native-plants-in-canada-by-province-1938068/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">17 Native Plants in Canada, by Province</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenChoose the Right Grass
PHOTO 1 of 20READ LESS -The first step in getting that dream lawn is to plant the right grass. You need cool-season grasses that can tolerate the Canadian climate, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass or fescues. Your garden centre can give you advice on the best type of grass to plant for your yard. You can even use a mix of different grasses. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/native-plants-in-canada-by-province-1938068/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">17 Native Plants in Canada, by Province</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Sharpen Your Mower Blade
2/20Sharpen Your Mower Blade
2/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
If <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-grow-the-best-lawn-in-your-neighborhood-1917857/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grass</a> gets damaged, it turns yellow and will need more water and nutrients to recover. Damaged grass is also more susceptible to disease. To prevent damage, you need to cut the grass evenly and cleanly. The only way to do this is with a sharp mower blade. You can use an angle grinder to sharpen your mower blade in the spring and then sharpen it at least twice more during the year.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenSharpen Your Mower Blade
PHOTO 2 of 20READ LESS -If <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-grow-the-best-lawn-in-your-neighborhood-1917857/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grass</a> gets damaged, it turns yellow and will need more water and nutrients to recover. Damaged grass is also more susceptible to disease. To prevent damage, you need to cut the grass evenly and cleanly. The only way to do this is with a sharp mower blade. You can use an angle grinder to sharpen your mower blade in the spring and then sharpen it at least twice more during the year.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Balance Your Mower Blade
3/20Balance Your Mower Blade
3/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
After you’ve sharpened your mower blade, you also need to balance it. An unbalanced blade will not only damage the grass, but also your lawnmower’s bearings. If all of this sounds like too much work for you, pay a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-much-should-you-pay-a-landscaping-company-in-canada-1928045/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">landscaping company</a> to use their equipment and mow your lawn for you.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenBalance Your Mower Blade
PHOTO 3 of 20READ LESS -After you’ve sharpened your mower blade, you also need to balance it. An unbalanced blade will not only damage the grass, but also your lawnmower’s bearings. If all of this sounds like too much work for you, pay a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-much-should-you-pay-a-landscaping-company-in-canada-1928045/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">landscaping company</a> to use their equipment and mow your lawn for you.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Adjust the Cutting Height According to the Season
4/20Adjust the Cutting Height According to the Season
4/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
For the first mowing of the season, use a cutting height of around 4 or 5 cm. This will remove dead grass and let sunlight reach the crowns of the plants. As the weather gets warmer, though, raise the blade to between 6 and 8 cm. This way, the soil will retain moisture for longer, the grass will develop a deep root system and weed seeds won’t have enough heat to germinate. For the last cutting of the year, drop the blade height again.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenAdjust the Cutting Height According to the Season
PHOTO 4 of 20READ LESS -For the first mowing of the season, use a cutting height of around 4 or 5 cm. This will remove dead grass and let sunlight reach the crowns of the plants. As the weather gets warmer, though, raise the blade to between 6 and 8 cm. This way, the soil will retain moisture for longer, the grass will develop a deep root system and weed seeds won’t have enough heat to germinate. For the last cutting of the year, drop the blade height again.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Mow Only When It’s Time
5/20Mow Only When It’s Time
5/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Grass grows according to its own schedule, not yours. Don’t mow the lawn because it’s Saturday and everyone is competing to see who has the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-grow-the-best-lawn-in-your-neighborhood-1917857/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">best lawn on in the neighbourhood</a>. Instead, mow it because it has grown too long. If you mow too often, you run the risk of cutting the grass too short.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenMow Only When It’s Time
PHOTO 5 of 20READ LESS -Grass grows according to its own schedule, not yours. Don’t mow the lawn because it’s Saturday and everyone is competing to see who has the <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-grow-the-best-lawn-in-your-neighborhood-1917857/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">best lawn on in the neighbourhood</a>. Instead, mow it because it has grown too long. If you mow too often, you run the risk of cutting the grass too short.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Leave the Lawn Clippings
6/20Leave the Lawn Clippings
6/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Don’t rake the lawn clippings after mowing the lawn. If you leave them where they are, they will form a light layer of mulch to prevent moisture loss and keep weed seeds from germinating. They will also decompose and add nutrients to the soil. However, rake those clippings if they form a layer of more than 0.5 cm which can smother the grass and harbour <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pests</a>.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenLeave the Lawn Clippings
PHOTO 6 of 20READ LESS -Don’t rake the lawn clippings after mowing the lawn. If you leave them where they are, they will form a light layer of mulch to prevent moisture loss and keep weed seeds from germinating. They will also decompose and add nutrients to the soil. However, rake those clippings if they form a layer of more than 0.5 cm which can smother the grass and harbour <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pests</a>.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Fix the Soil pH
7/20Fix the Soil pH
7/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Most grasses grow best in an ever so slightly acidic soil with a pH of about 6.5. You can use a soil tester to determine the soil pH or you can look at the types of weeds growing there to get an idea of how acidic or alkaline the soil is. If the soil is too acidic, add lime. If the soil is too alkaline, add sulphur.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenFix the Soil pH
PHOTO 7 of 20READ LESS -Most grasses grow best in an ever so slightly acidic soil with a pH of about 6.5. You can use a soil tester to determine the soil pH or you can look at the types of weeds growing there to get an idea of how acidic or alkaline the soil is. If the soil is too acidic, add lime. If the soil is too alkaline, add sulphur.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Add Compost
8/20Add Compost
8/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
At the start of spring, spread a thin layer of compost over your lawn to give it a nutrition boost. You may have to do this a few times. Be careful not to make the layer too thick or it will smother the grass. You can add more grass fertilizer throughout the season if you think the grass clippings aren’t sufficient. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/gross-ingredients-that-are-surprisingly-great-for-your-compost-1896675/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gross Ingredients That Are Surprisingly Great for Your Compost</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenAdd Compost
PHOTO 8 of 20READ LESS -At the start of spring, spread a thin layer of compost over your lawn to give it a nutrition boost. You may have to do this a few times. Be careful not to make the layer too thick or it will smother the grass. You can add more grass fertilizer throughout the season if you think the grass clippings aren’t sufficient. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/gross-ingredients-that-are-surprisingly-great-for-your-compost-1896675/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gross Ingredients That Are Surprisingly Great for Your Compost</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Get Rid of Weeds
9/20Get Rid of Weeds
9/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Check your lawn regularly for signs of weeds. Weeds will compete with the grass for moisture, sunlight and nutrients and can harbour pests and diseases. You can pull them out by hand – dandelions, for instance, have useful medicinal properties when they’re not ruining your lawn. Adding corn gluten meal is a less back-breaking alternative and acts as a natural lawn fertilizer to boot. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/best-herbs-medicinal-plants-grow-home-1936580/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Best Herbs and Medicinal Plants to Grow in Your Home This Spring</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenGet Rid of Weeds
PHOTO 9 of 20READ LESS -Check your lawn regularly for signs of weeds. Weeds will compete with the grass for moisture, sunlight and nutrients and can harbour pests and diseases. You can pull them out by hand – dandelions, for instance, have useful medicinal properties when they’re not ruining your lawn. Adding corn gluten meal is a less back-breaking alternative and acts as a natural lawn fertilizer to boot. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/best-herbs-medicinal-plants-grow-home-1936580/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Best Herbs and Medicinal Plants to Grow in Your Home This Spring</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Get Rid of Fairy Rings
10/20Get Rid of Fairy Rings
10/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Fairy rings — a naturally occurring ring of mushrooms — cause grass to die and let weeds get a foothold, so you need to get rid of them before they spread. The best way to do this is to cut out the dead patch and reseed or resod the area. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/container-gardening-guide-1937119/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Container Gardening Guide: How to Grow Like a Pro</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenGet Rid of Fairy Rings
PHOTO 10 of 20READ LESS -Fairy rings — a naturally occurring ring of mushrooms — cause grass to die and let weeds get a foothold, so you need to get rid of them before they spread. The best way to do this is to cut out the dead patch and reseed or resod the area. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/container-gardening-guide-1937119/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Container Gardening Guide: How to Grow Like a Pro</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Control the Pests
11/20Control the Pests
11/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
A healthy lawn needs insects to burrow through the top layer of soil and allow moisture, air and nutrients to flow through. However, some pests, like chinch bugs and white grubs, can wreak havoc in your lawn. Inspect the lawn regularly for signs of insect damage and then take the appropriate action to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">keep pests out of your lawn</a>.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenControl the Pests
PHOTO 11 of 20READ LESS -A healthy lawn needs insects to burrow through the top layer of soil and allow moisture, air and nutrients to flow through. However, some pests, like chinch bugs and white grubs, can wreak havoc in your lawn. Inspect the lawn regularly for signs of insect damage and then take the appropriate action to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">keep pests out of your lawn</a>.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Don’t Let Your Lawn Be a Toilet
12/20Don’t Let Your Lawn Be a Toilet
12/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Green lawn care doesn’t mean every kind of urine and manure is automatically good for the grass. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/natural-cleaning-tips-pets-1922662/">Pet</a> urine can burn the grass and cause it to turn yellow and die. If you have pets, train them to use only a specific spot in your garden for their bathroom business and to stay off the lawn. For other people’s pets, one remedy is to buy lion dung online – no, really! – and place it around your garden as a deterrent.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenDon’t Let Your Lawn Be a Toilet
PHOTO 12 of 20READ LESS -Green lawn care doesn’t mean every kind of urine and manure is automatically good for the grass. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/natural-cleaning-tips-pets-1922662/">Pet</a> urine can burn the grass and cause it to turn yellow and die. If you have pets, train them to use only a specific spot in your garden for their bathroom business and to stay off the lawn. For other people’s pets, one remedy is to buy lion dung online – no, really! – and place it around your garden as a deterrent.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Aerate Your Lawn
13/20Aerate Your Lawn
13/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
When you notice that water doesn’t penetrate well into the lawn, there is a build-up of thatch, the ground is hard and compacted or there are weeds, it’s time to aerate the lawn. Making holes in it will allow for a better flow of air, water and nutrients to the roots. You can use special lawn aerator for this or, if the lawn is small, you can simply walk around on it while wearing your favourite aerating shoes.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenAerate Your Lawn
PHOTO 13 of 20READ LESS -When you notice that water doesn’t penetrate well into the lawn, there is a build-up of thatch, the ground is hard and compacted or there are weeds, it’s time to aerate the lawn. Making holes in it will allow for a better flow of air, water and nutrients to the roots. You can use special lawn aerator for this or, if the lawn is small, you can simply walk around on it while wearing your favourite aerating shoes.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Dethatch When Necessary
14/20Dethatch When Necessary
14/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a lawn that gets too much water or chemical fertilizers and pesticides, dead roots and grass can form a tough layer on the surface. This is called thatch. If it becomes more than 1 cm thick, it can prevent nutrients, water and air from reaching the roots and it can harbour pests and diseases. Use a heavy rake to dethatch your lawn when necessary. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/organic-gardening-what-when-to-plant-1927482/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Organic Gardening: What and When to Plant</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenDethatch When Necessary
PHOTO 14 of 20READ LESS -In a lawn that gets too much water or chemical fertilizers and pesticides, dead roots and grass can form a tough layer on the surface. This is called thatch. If it becomes more than 1 cm thick, it can prevent nutrients, water and air from reaching the roots and it can harbour pests and diseases. Use a heavy rake to dethatch your lawn when necessary. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/organic-gardening-what-when-to-plant-1927482/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Organic Gardening: What and When to Plant</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Overseed
15/20Overseed
15/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
If you spread some grass seed on your lawn in the late summer or early fall, the lawn will be nice and dense. For great organic lawn care, you can apply a top dressing of compost and topsoil first and rake the seeds into the soil.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenOverseed
PHOTO 15 of 20READ LESS -If you spread some grass seed on your lawn in the late summer or early fall, the lawn will be nice and dense. For great organic lawn care, you can apply a top dressing of compost and topsoil first and rake the seeds into the soil.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Know When to Water
16/20Know When to Water
16/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Your lawn needs watering far less often than you’d think. A good rule of thumb for whether or not you need to water it is: if it has rained in the past week, don’t water it. If it hasn’t rained, pull up a small piece of turf and check the top 5 cm of soil. If it has moisture in it, don’t water. If it’s dry, your lawn could do with water.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenKnow When to Water
PHOTO 16 of 20READ LESS -Your lawn needs watering far less often than you’d think. A good rule of thumb for whether or not you need to water it is: if it has rained in the past week, don’t water it. If it hasn’t rained, pull up a small piece of turf and check the top 5 cm of soil. If it has moisture in it, don’t water. If it’s dry, your lawn could do with water.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Water at the Right Time
17/20Water at the Right Time
17/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
You know that if you want to save water, you shouldn’t water the lawn at midday. Watering it in the evening isn’t a good idea either, though. In the evening, the grass will remain wet for longer and this can increase the risk of diseases. The best time to water is in the morning and if you’re still worried about the power bill, rain barrels are one of those <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/exterior-upgrades-that-save-money-1918558/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exterior upgrades that will save you money</a>.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenWater at the Right Time
PHOTO 17 of 20READ LESS -You know that if you want to save water, you shouldn’t water the lawn at midday. Watering it in the evening isn’t a good idea either, though. In the evening, the grass will remain wet for longer and this can increase the risk of diseases. The best time to water is in the morning and if you’re still worried about the power bill, rain barrels are one of those <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/exterior-upgrades-that-save-money-1918558/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exterior upgrades that will save you money</a>.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Give the Right Amount of Water
18/20Give the Right Amount of Water
18/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
When you water your lawn, you need to give it about 2.5 cm worth of water. A nifty trick is to put an empty tuna or pet food can on the lawn while you’re watering. When the can is full, you’ve watered enough.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenGive the Right Amount of Water
PHOTO 18 of 20READ LESS -When you water your lawn, you need to give it about 2.5 cm worth of water. A nifty trick is to put an empty tuna or pet food can on the lawn while you’re watering. When the can is full, you’ve watered enough.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Water in Two Phases
19/20Water in Two Phases
19/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Because the soil will be dry and hard when it’s time to water the lawn, water may run off instead of soaking into the soil. To prevent this, let the sprinkler run for about 15 minutes. Then wait about an hour to give the water a chance to sink in. Then turn the sprinkler on again for an additional soaking.Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenWater in Two Phases
PHOTO 19 of 20READ LESS -Because the soil will be dry and hard when it’s time to water the lawn, water may run off instead of soaking into the soil. To prevent this, let the sprinkler run for about 15 minutes. Then wait about an hour to give the water a chance to sink in. Then turn the sprinkler on again for an additional soaking.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Don’t Panic When It’s Hot
20/20Don’t Panic When It’s Hot
20/20Photo Credit: Getty Images
Especially during extended periods of hot and dry weather, the lawn may turn brown and become dormant. Don’t panic, pull up everything and pave over it when this happens. If your lawn is healthy, it can survive for several weeks while it’s dormant. When regular moisture levels return, so will the green. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Green Living20 Different Ways to Keep Your Lawn Naturally GreenDon’t Panic When It’s Hot
PHOTO 20 of 20READ LESS -Especially during extended periods of hot and dry weather, the lawn may turn brown and become dormant. Don’t panic, pull up everything and pave over it when this happens. If your lawn is healthy, it can survive for several weeks while it’s dormant. When regular moisture levels return, so will the green. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/hacks-bring-your-dead-plant-back-to-life-1926974/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Hacks That Will Bring Your Dead (or Dying) Plant Back to Life</a>Photo Credit: Getty Images
