Using organic compost is the natural chemical free way to have a green healthy and vagrant lawn, not only during the fall months, but year round.

Compost is one of the easiest was to keep your lawn healthy and green. This is preferable because it’s is safe and organic. You are not constantly adding chemical based fertilizer to your lawn or garden.  It is best to compost your lawn this fall, then again in the spring and early summer months.

Compost is great fertilizer because besides having nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus it often has trace elements in it. You normally do not find trace elements in commercial fertilizers.

Some additional benefits to using compost are:

Compost will not burn your grass

Compost won’t smell as do old manure-based fertilizers

Compost won’t stain your concrete or brick walkways

Compost works fast

Compost is not expensive compared to commercial fertilizers

Step 1

Start with a good, fine-textured compost. Garden centers carry good, bagged compost that is ready to use. You can also use home -made compost if you have some that you produced for yourself. Just make sure that it is fine textured so it will rake out evenly without leaving clumps. I suggest using some fine hardware screen to sift out the lumps.

Step 2

Spread the compost. You can use a shovel or just start dumping the compost out of the bag around your lawn. Do not apply it thickly.

Step 3

With a flexible garden rake spread out the compost over your lawn until it is about ¼” thick. You want a fairly thin layer. Do not apply it much thicker.  More is not better. This will only cause you problems such as smothering your grass. When you are done raking you should not see very much compost showing through the grass.

Step 4

Once you have raked a nice thin evenly applied layer of compost, water it in for 15 to 20 minutes. Take care of your lawn as normal, applying water regularly. Do not mow your lawn for about 1 week.   Allow the compost 7 or 8 days to break down and release its nutrients. After one week you can return to mowing your lawn just as you regularly would.

That is it!

If you compost your lawn 2 or 3 times a year, it will be very lush and healthy. You will never want to use regular chemical lawn fertilizers again. If you are looking for an organic way to have a healthier lawn, this is it. Also once you have your green healthy lawn don’t forget to check out our website for garden decor items to bring that uniqueness that only you can bring to your lawn, garden or patio.

A is for Assessing and Analyzing

• What worked well this year? Was there a type of plant or vegetable that grew well, were there
  

  Linda's Serenity Garden May 2010

  disappointments? We had a very dry year, some things survived the drought. In comparison, last year we had too much rain. Making notes of the strengths and weakness of your gardening efforts and then reviewing them in the Spring will help make your garden successful and enjoyable. Consider making a photo record too, digital pictures are easy to take and transfer to your computer, along with notes, and resources.

• Have you had a soil test recently? Whether you are planting perennials, annuals, bulbs, or lawns, the nutrients are depleted over time. Fall is the perfect time to have the soil tested and amended so it will produce the best results for you. Soil test Kits are available for $9.00 at the Penn State Extension office.

B is for Bulbs and Birds

• “Bulbs” is an inclusive term describing a variety of fleshy underground matter that includes true bulbs like
  

  Tulips Mount Vernon, WA April 2010

  tulips, corms such as crocus, and rhizomes for example: lily of the valley and bearded iris. Spring flowering bulbs need full sun, well drained soil, but only minimal care. These bulbs, once they start to show, serve as reminders that better and nicer days are ahead. Years of selection and breeding have provided spectacular color and disease resistant varieties.

• There are approximately thirty-five species of birds that can be seen in your yard in the winter time. Think about a family project of attracting birds and caring for them during the harsh months of the year. With the right feed and feeders, birds will provide entertainment, action and color. Bird watching, indentifying, and journaling them are good ways to pass the dreary days of winter. So take some time in the fall to select a good feeder, provide shelter and water for them.

C is for Cleaning and Composting

• As the growing season slows down, less time is required to maintain the home landscape. Now is a good time
  

  Compost Bin Made of Pallets

  to clean up while the weather is still nice. Take some time to edge around your plantings, remove any weeds and take out any insect eggs, nests, and debris. Taking them out now will prevent hundreds of seeds germinating in the Spring. Trim back any damaged limbs and branches. Sanitize and oil all your garden tools to prevent disease and corrosion. While you should continue to mow your grass, remember your mower should also be prepared properly for the winter. Change the oil and filter; check the plug, and lastly, drain the fuel. Doing all of this will extend the life of the mower and improve its performance.

• Your way of recycling naturally: start a compost pile with grass clippings and spent plants as you clean up your vegetable garden. You can also add the used potting soil from your container plantings. With the onslaught of falling leaves, they can be shredded with your mower and added to the compost pile too.

• By Steve Ward
  Master Gardener Coordinator
  Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
• “Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.”
• Used with permission