A beautiful and well-kept lawn is not only desirable, but also beneficial for the environment. Lawns can filter and improve water quality and provide oxygen. With that being said, they can hurt the environment as well if not properly maintained. So much water is wasted watering lawns that can’t absorb and certain lawn chemicals, such as fertilizers and weed killers, can pollute the water supply. Many of these environmental risks can be prevented by following non-chemical lawn care techniques.

Here are a few examples on how you can make your lawn naturally healthy:

1. Using natural fertilizer

When fertilizing your lawn, consider using a natural fertilizer made out of organic ingredients instead of the name brand commercial fertilizers. Organic fertilizers can be found in stores, but can also be made from many items lying around your home. Coffee grounds, banana peels, egg shells, and more can be used as fertilizer. With that being said, make sure not to overdo it because excess fertilizer can still wash away and pollute the water supply.

2. Aerate your soil

Lawns that rely on chemicals generally have a hard time absorbing nutrients, while lawns that use green lawn care practices tend to have healthier soil quality. As a result, their lawns have no problem absorbing water and other nutrients. When checking your soil, make sure that it is soft and moist, not dry and compacted. If your soil is more the latter, then you should aerate your soil. Aerating your soil opens up and loosens the soil so that it makes it easier for your lawn to absorb water and nutrients.

3. Tilling your yard helps with weed control

Weeds such as dandelions and crabgrass are obviously unattractive and unkempt, but healthy soil does prevent weeds from popping up. Tilling your yard can also go a long way towards controlling weeds. When tilling, it is wise to reseed the area to make sure weeds don’t grow back.

4. Environmentally friendly watering techniques

How you water your lawn can depend on a variety of factors, including size, weather, environment, the type of grass, and soil. Most lawns require at least 2 inches of water a week. You don’t want to water your lawn too little, but at the same time you don’t want to overwater it either. It is recommended that you water your lawn either early in the morning or late in the evening. Again, every lawn is different so make sure to fine tune your watering methods to suit your environment. For example, if it is known to rain a lot during a certain time of year in your area, you may need to turn off the auto timer on your sprinkler so that you don’t waste water.

5. Making the transition

The transition to a chemically dependent lawn to a natural lawn can be a long process. A healthy lawn requires much more than just putting down some grass seeds. Be sure to monitor your lawn in the process. With attentive care and patience, you can have a naturally healthy lawn that not only looks good, but is environmentally friendly as well.