21 Expert Organic Lawn Care Tips

The expert who founded Safelawns.org offers insider's tips for achieving a lush, green lawn – without the use of toxic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. By Paul Tukey / SafeLawns.org

To Rehabilitate, Aerate

To achieve healthy plants the natural way, without synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you need to have healthy, living soil. The organisms in the soil need to drink, breathe, eat, digest and excrete their food and, to do so efficiently, must have plenty of air pockets in the soil.

Often, with excess foot traffic, mowing or applications of chemical products, our soils become compacted and need help. That's where the practice of mechanical aeration comes in. By cutting "cores" out of the soil with a specialized machine or hand tool, you'll leave behind holes through which air, water and fertilizer can enter. The surface of your lawn may look more like Swiss cheese for a few days, but the long-term benefits can be great.

If your soil is compacted — excess weeds such as plantain can be a tell-tale sign — aeration may be necessary. Renting a core aerator from a local equipment supply store is usually the best option other than hiring to get the job done. Fall is the best time.

If the task sounds daunting, though, the good news is that tending your lawn organically, with natural fertilizers, will allow your soil to self aerate. Renting the machine will never be necessary; the earthworms and microorganisms will do the job for you.