How to Grow a Beautiful Lawn Naturally

Ah Spring. The trees, flowers and nature is awakening from their winter sleep, at least in the north they are. The other day I went outside to clean up the dead debris of last season’s plants and leaves. I get excited in planning the placement of our lawn and garden decorations and adding any new flowers and plants to our gardens. As I look upon our home and gardens, a few of our neighbors come outside. They start inspecting their lawns. Oh no… here we go.

There are still the few neighbors that believe in chemically treating their lawns. The lawn care companies that attend to our neighbors’ lawns feel like they have to share their services with the rest of us neighbors.

Several years ago, a well-meaning lawn care specialist offered to do some work for our yard. He suggested spraying the yard with glyphosate to “get rid of all the unsightly dandelions and weeds (like plantain) to grow a beautiful lawn. What???? The dandelions and weeds are treasures from nature! Herbalists know the importance of dandelions and plantain.

This ‘specialist’ didn’t quite understand why I was so adamant that there would never be glyphosate sprayed in our yard under any circumstances. He insisted that “it really is non-toxic and completely safe as soon as it dries.”

I also had to explain to him that we actually like those so-called ‘weeds’ in our yard and that we use them in various ways. Our definition of a “good lawn” was different than his!

In many places, an attractive and “good” lawn means one free of weeds with a lush carpet of uniform green grass. Money is spent to kill the plants that are already growing and then plant or sod with grass. We replace the natural ground coverings like clover, plantain, and dandelion (which are great for pollinators) with flowerless grass for the sake of looks. In many neighborhoods with Home Owners Associations, these are requirements.

The good news is that there are many ways to maintain an attractive lawn without the need for harsh chemicals. Making this switch will improve growth for pollinators and reduce chemical use and exposure. It will also create a safer lawn for children and pets to play on!

 

The Problem With Lawn Chemicals

Many people assume that lawn chemicals are completely harmless, but that isn’t the case. Consider this:

“Our love affair with lawns comes with a cost. Each year U.S. homeowners apply more than 3 million tons of synthetic lawn fertilizers and 70 million pounds of lawn pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals pose serious hazards to our children, our pets and wildlife of all kinds. To make matters worse, it’s estimated that 65 percent of these chemicals find their way into our lakes, rivers and underground aquifers.” ~ Gardeners.com

 

The US Wildlife Federation also reports these environmental effects of our lawn care practices:

  • The average lawn gets up to 10 times as much chemical pesticide and herbicide use as commercial farmland! Gasp… 10 TIMES as much! This means that the grass your children are running on barefoot probably contains more chemicals than commercially sprayed wheat, corn, and soybean crops. (Obviously, this isn’t great for pets either!)
  • When these chemicals are used as much as 90% of the earthworm population in a lawn is killed. This is very detrimental for the soil over time.
  • Lawn equipment like mowers and weedeaters (or weedwackers, depending on where you’re from), emit much more waste into the air than cars and trucks.
  • 25-60% of residential water usage (depending on location) goes to watering lawns. With droughts in many areas, this is a substantial water burden.

 

Natural and Organic Lawn Care Basics

Natural lawn care may be one of the easiest and cheapest switches you can make.

Starting in the spring, use these basic steps to create a more natural lawn:

Improve the Soil

Many beautiful lawns are really just nice looking on the surface. One problem with irrigation is it affects the quality of the root system. Most lawns are used to being fed and watered from above by irrigation and fertilizer. They don’t have a deep root system and so drought or other problems easily affect them.

When it comes to growing anything, including a lawn, it is good to start from the bottom up. Improving soil first will give your grass a foundation for long-term growth. It will also make the grass more hardy and reduce the need for watering and chemicals.

Soil testing helps you know what is needed for your lawn. Free or inexpensive soil testing is available in many county extension offices or local garden shops. Find one in your area to get a soil test.

If you don’t want to soil test, just use a shovel to remove a 6-inch deep section of soil and grass. Healthy soil should be dark and crumble easily and grass should have a strong root system. An accumulation of dead matter at the base of grass (called thatch) also may indicate poor soil quality. In healthy grass, thatch rarely occurs since the active microorganisms in good soil break it down.

Good soil for grass also has a pH that is slightly acidic and just under 7.

 

Steps for Better Lawn Soil

  • First, aerate in the spring if needed to improve soil texture.
  • Then, fertilize once per year with compost. This is called topdressing and is done by adding up to an inch of compost or topsoil and raking into the grass.
  • Finally, add pH adjusters if needed to get the pH in optimal range.

 

Choose Good Grass

Ask a local 4-H office or lawn care expert what grasses are native to the area. Choose one that is hardy and doesn’t need a lot of extra water.

Also consider sun and shade requirements, how much traffic your lawn gets and how much rain your area gets when choosing a grass. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences suggests these as the max times to wait between watering for different types of grass:

12 – 21 days: Bahia grass, Buffalo gass, Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass

8 – 12 days: Carpet grass, Fine fescue, Kikuyu grass, Seashore paspalum, Tall fescue, Zoysia

5 – 7 days: Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Bentgrass

These times are a good measure of a grass that grows well in your area and a helpful metric in selecting a grass.

You may not love to hear this, but growing a single plant (like one type of grass) over a large area is unnatural. This increases the chance of disease and nutrient demand. Add a crop like white clover to grass to improve the nitrogen content of the soil and keep a thick, lush lawn. If you have the ability, converting part of your lawn to a wildflower growth area for local flowers is a great way to improve soil and make pollinators happy.

 

Steps for Choosing Good Grass for a Lawn

  • First, make sure soil is ready.
  • Find out which varieties of grass grow best in your area.
  • Choose a grass that matches your yard conditions (shade/sun, etc.) and that won’t require much watering.
  • Finally, overseed in the fall. Overseeding is spreading 3-4 pounds of grass seed per 1000 feet of lawn. Cut grass to about 2-2.5 inches before seeding for optimal growth.

 

Mow the Right Way

Most of us over-mow our yards. Why all that extra work for no good reason? We think that shorter is better, but it isn’t! It is much better to mow often but not as short. Cutting grass below 2 inches can stress the plant and expose the roots. This also causes over-drying and can deplete soil resources more quickly.

Steps to Mow the Right Way:

  • Don’t mow shorter than 3 inches.
  • Mow more often and don’t cut more than 1/3 of the leaf off at a time.
  • Don’t mow when it is too hot or too dry.
  • Keep mower blade sharp and set at the highest setting.
  • If you have a small lawn, consider using a reel mower  and get some exercise in the process!

 

Water Carefully

Lawn watering accounts for over half of residential water usage in the summer. Using the steps above will reduce the amount of water needed and create a stronger lawn.

It is also important to water consistently, but not too often. Letting the soil dry out between watering forces grass to grow deeper roots to find water. When you do water, water deeply.

About an inch a week — and remember, this includes rainfall — should keep a lawn healthy and green.

Steps to Water Grass for a Good Lawn:

  • Water less frequently but more deeply.
  • Choose grass that is more drought-tolerant.
  • Most lawns need about 1 inch per week.
  • If it rains more than 1 inch per week, there is no need to water.

 

 

Lawn Fertilizers

 

Fertilize Naturally

There is really no need for expensive chemical fertilizers. Natural fertilizers like compost work just as well! Natural solutions also nourish the soil over time, not just feed the grass from the top. This creates a stronger lawn over time.

Top dressing is one way to do this. Scatter 1/2 inch compost or natural fertilizer over the grass and rake in. Alternately, broadcast natural fertilizer after aerating or before watering.

Add the necessary nutrients determined by soil testing. Your lawn will improve dramatically if your grass is in need of certain nutrients or a different pH.

Steps to Fertilize Naturally:

  • Broadcast a natural fertilizer in the fall or spring.
  • Topdress with 1/2 inch of compost or natural fertilizer and rake into the grass.
  • Use a seaweed extract as additional fertilizer.
  • Focus on soil quality over time instead of a quick fix.

 

Stop Weeds Without Harmful Chemicals

This is the hardest part to do naturally, but you can do it!

Did you know that weeds can be an indication that lawn health isn’t optimal? Improve the soil and you will already be a long way toward reducing weed growth. Many herbicides are harmful to humans and animals too! Studies show chemicals in conventional lawn care contribute to thyroid problems and even non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Glyphosate is a whole other story, and definitely does not belong on a lawn where kids and pets play.

The organic lawn care solution: leaving grass longer also helps control weed population by leaving a larger surface area for grass to photosynthesize.

Steps to Reduce Weeds Naturally:

  • Many weeds are actually herbs with many benefits. Don’t remove them at all!
  • Leave grass longer so it will resist weeds naturally.
  • Add a second plant to your lawn like white clover to compete with weeds and replenish soil.
  • Avoid harmful herbicides and use natural methods instead.

 

Grow a Garden Instead!

Feel really brave?

Ditch the lawn completely and grow a garden instead! You can grow vegetables, herbs and fruits in your front yard and make it look beautiful too! Incorporate vegetables and herbs into an existing garden bed for an easy transition.

Or:

Go all out and turn your entire front yard into a flourishing vegetable garden. Urban front-yard vegetable gardens are becoming very popular. They are a great alternative to a mono crop like grass and you get food too! Plus, gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes!

Many Home Owner Associations don’t allow edible gardens in front yards, but you can work edible plants into your landscape. If you have an urban vegetable garden in your front yard, please share how you did it in the comments!

 

Growing a Beautiful Lawn Naturally: Bottom Line

You can grow a healthy, beautiful lawn without harmful chemicals!

Choose a native grass for your area. Add a complimentary plant like white clover or even wildflowers! Water when needed consistently but not as often. Fertilize naturally and add compost to improve soil.

The environment, your pets, and the bees will thank you!

 

Lawn with wildflowers

 

Resources:

https://wellnessmama.com/123908/beautiful-lawn

https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/natural-lawn-care-techniques/5065.html

Tonight at 9 pm ET, Rev. Debbie Dienstbier is the Special Guest on The Jimmy Mack Healing Show.

jimmy mack show banner

Goldylocks Productions Presents The Jimmy Mack Healing Show.

Tonight, Tuesday, 30 April 2019 at 9 pm ET. 

 

Jimmy Mack is a renowned medical intuitive and spiritual life coach who has taken, completed and even mastered a variety of healing modalities. After a near death experience, he was shown and developed a simpler way to create healing and profound changes now known as My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple®. He works with clients in person, on the phone and over Skype worldwide accessing energetic powers and co-creating changes that you can actually feel. 

 http://www.jimmymackhealing.com

 

 

Rev Debbie Dienstbier

 

Special Guest: Rev. Debbie Dienstbier

Rev. Debbie is a trans-medium, psychic reader and specializes in communication with relatives and loved ones who have crossed over so you won’t want to miss this show! Call in to talk to your loved one in spirit!!! 

https://www.facebook.com/Wings-of-Grace-Spiritual-Center-875388225837766

 

divider-line

Call in Number: 1 (country code for the United States) + 713.955.0594

Switchboard is open 15 minutes prior to Show Time. Callers are taken in the order that they call in. Please unblock your phone number if you wish to get on air with Jimmy and Rev. Debbie. Blocked, Restricted and Private Callers are not brought on air. Press 1 to get onto the Host Que to ask your question, otherwise you will remain in Listen Mode only.  

Listen to the Live Radio Show, via computer, here:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/goldylocksproductions3/2019/05/01/the-jimmy-mack-healing-show

divider-line

 

Leave a Testimonial for your Favorite Goldylocks Productions Show(s):   http://www.goldylocksproductionsct.com/Radio—TV-Testimonials.html

 

archived shows location banner

 

Patreon with link

 

jimmy mack show banner

 

Terms of Service: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts do not encourage, teach or promote any kind of medical diagnosis or promise to cure an already existing medical condition. The Reading and Healing Messages do not focus on dis-ease but simply acknowledges it and instead focuses on perfect Health and Well-Being.

When you (the caller) agree to go on air, by pressing 1 on your phone to get into the host que, you are agreeing with the following terms and conditions: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts are not medical professionals and our services do not replace medical care for humans or animals. We cannot treat, nor cure, an illness. Our services do not replace psychiatric care. We are not liable for any decisions made by you before, during, or after a call in phone session concerning your life and health in general.

 

 

Numerology for Monday, 29 April 2019

Jane Alton Header Banner

Numerology for 29/April/2019

Let go of your image and be yourself. Don’t put energy into fear of failure or rejection – accept your unique and sensitive emotional nature. Get past your disappointment that things are not the way you would like them to be. Express the beauty but stay grounded, focused and practical. Master your emotions but allow spacer for laughter and fun. Bring in new thinking, so you can better take care of yourself, so you can help take care of others.

~ Jane Alton

www.janealton.com

 

divider-line

 

Numerology

Tonight at 8 pm ET, the Spiritual Insight Show with Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman, streamed Live on the Goldylocks Productions Facebook Page.

My Spreaker and BeLiveTV Show Banner

Goldylocks Productions Presents the Spiritual Insight Show with Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman.

Tonight, Sunday, 28 April 2019 at 8 pm ET.

Topic: Prosperity and Abundance

 

Rev. Tiffany White Sage Woman, RMT, is a Multi Dimensional Cosmic Heart Healer, Ordained Spiritual Inter-Denominational Minister, Spiritual Teacher, Psychic Medium and Holistic Health Practitioner. Even though she is a natural born Intuitive and Healer, her personal experiences, continued exploration, training and certification in multiple Healing Modalities reflects that Healing is an on going process. She is the Owner of Goldylocks Temple of Healing, llc in Groton, CT and has clients located all over the world.

Goldylocks Productions is a subdivision of Goldylocks Temple of Healing, llc. Tiffany produces Radio and TV Shows for those in the Spiritual, Metaphysical and Holistic Profession.

http://www.whitesagewoman.com  

 

Banner2

 

divider-line

 

Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show via BeLiveTV streamed on the Goldylocks Productions Facebook Page:     https://facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions/videos/445255806243261

OR

Listen to the Live Podcast/Radio Show via Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/user/goldylocksproductions

 

divider-line

 

archived shows location banner

 

Patreon with link

 

My Spreaker and BeLiveTV Show Banner

Tonight at 8 pm ET, the In the Psychic Flow Show with Carolan Carey.

Carolan Carey Show Banner

Goldylocks Productions Presents In the Psychic Flow Show with Carolan Carey.

Tonight, Thursday, 25 April 2019 at 8 pm ET.

 

Carolan Carey has been called “The Psychic Medium of Sarasota” or “SRQ” to all you jet-setters!   After doing phone readings from New York to Vietnam – Carolan’s clients refer to her as “that psychic from Sarasota”.  Carolan is a platform medium demonstrating her spirit connection at many area venues.  She will be giving short readings to her listeners as well as inviting exciting professionals from all over the world to have a candid conversation about medium-ship, the psychic arts, the paranormal and your well-being.

http://www.carolancarey.com

 

Carolan Banner

 

divider-line

Call in Number: 1 (country code for the United States) + 713.955.0594

Switchboard is open 15 minutes prior to Show Time. Callers are taken in the order that they call in. Please unblock your phone number if you wish to get on air with Carolan. Blocked, Restricted and Private Callers are not brought on air. Press 1 to get onto the Host Que to ask your question, otherwise you will remain in Listen Mode only.

Listen to the Live Radio Show, via computer, here:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/goldylocksproductions3/2019/04/26/in-the-psychic-flow-show

divider-line

 

Leave a Testimonial for your Favorite Goldylocks Productions Show(s):  http://www.goldylocksproductionsct.com/Radio—TV-Testimonials.html

 

archived shows location banner

 

Patreon with link

 

Carolan Carey Show Banner

 

Terms of Service: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts do not encourage, teach or promote any kind of medical diagnosis or promise to cure an already existing medical condition. The Reading and Healing Messages do not focus on dis-ease but simply acknowledges it and instead focuses on perfect Health and Well-Being.

When you (the caller) agree to go on air, by pressing 1 on your phone to get into the host que, you are agreeing with the following terms and conditions: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts are not medical professionals and our services do not replace medical care for humans or animals. We cannot treat, nor cure, an illness. Our services do not replace psychiatric care. We are not liable for any decisions made by you before, during, or after a call in phone session concerning your life and health in general.

 

Today at 3 pm ET / 12 pm (Noon) PT, Frances Pullin is the Special Guest on the Psychic Horizon Show with Shelley Hofberg.

Shelley Hofberg BTR Show Banner

Goldylocks Productions Presents the Psychic Horizon Show with Shelley Hofberg.

Today, Thursday, 25 April 2019 at 3 pm ET / 12 pm (Noon) PT.

 

Shelley Hofberg3

 

Shelley Hofberg is a Clairvoyant, Medium, Tarot Reader, Pet Psychic and Healer. Her multi-faceted gifts are reflected in her multi-faceted psychic career. Shelley has appeared on NBC television, the Discover Channel and is included in feature articles of newspapers such as the Hollywood Independent and Ventura Star.  As a staff member of the West Coast Well Being metaphysical publication, Shelley was responsible for writing a pet psychic column and as a pet psychic, was mentioned in Lisa Barretta’s published book, ‘The Street Smart Psychic Guide to Getting a Good Reading.’

http://www.psychichorizon.com

 

 

Frances Pullin

 

Special Guest: Frances Pullin

As a child, Frances always knew she was psychic when she knew things about others and about occurrences around her. In 2003 after the death of her son, Daman, she found herself surrounded by psychics and began to educate herself with endless classes by psychic in the area. During her period of soul development she became a channel. Her main channel is Amadeus and he is filled with wisdom that helps her to teach the world of that which she has learned. Frances began teaching in Oct 2009 and channeling in her home. Francis is also an author, a minister, and a level 11 Reiki Master.

http://www.francespullin.com

 

divider-line

Call in Number: 1 (country code for the United States) + 323.870.3791

Switchboard is open 15 minutes prior to Show Time. Callers are taken in the order that they call in. Please unblock your phone number if you wish to get on air with Shelley and Frances. Blocked, Restricted and Private Callers are not brought on air. Press 1 to get onto the Host Que to ask your question, otherwise you will remain in Listen Mode only.

Listen to the Live Radio Show, via computer, here:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/goldylocksproductions/2019/04/25/psychic-horizon-show

divider-line

 

Leave a Testimonial for your Favorite Goldylocks Productions Show(s):   http://www.goldylocksproductionsct.com/Radio—TV-Testimonials.html

 

archived shows location banner

 

Patreon with link

 

Shelley Hofberg BTR Show Banner

 

Terms of Service: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts do not encourage, teach or promote any kind of medical diagnosis or promise to cure an already existing medical condition. The Reading and Healing Messages do not focus on dis-ease but simply acknowledges it and instead focuses on perfect Health and Well-Being.

When you (the caller) agree to go on air, by pressing 1 on your phone to get into the host que, you are agreeing with the following terms and conditions: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts are not medical professionals and our services do not replace medical care for humans or animals. We cannot treat, nor cure, an illness. Our services do not replace psychiatric care. We are not liable for any decisions made by you before, during, or after a call in phone session concerning your life and health in general.

Tonight at 8 pm ET, A Magickal Journey Show with Rev. Bryan Rawls, streamed Live on the Goldylocks Productions Facebook Page.

rev bryan rawls show banner

Goldylocks Productions Presents A Magickal Journey Show with Rev. Bryan Rawls.

Tonight, Wednesday, 24 April 2019 at 8 pm ET. 

 

Rev. Bryan Rawls is a Certified Psychic Medium, Certified Fairyologist & Realm Reader, Light Language Channel & Universal Channel, Certified Angelic Communicator/Facilitator, Light Code & Star Ki Code Activator, Certified Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Esoteric Energetic Acupuncturist, Certified Sacred Activation’s Mastering Me Practitioner, Holistic Practitioner and a Practitioner of “Gypsy Magick” and “The Old Ways.”

Bryan has worked as a Psychic Medium on high-volume hotlines such as KEEN, Psychic Live, Psychic Source, and Hollywood Psychics through which he has undergone a battery of tests. Bryan can channel numerous energies to help you with your questions.

http://www.amagickaljourney.com

 

Website Banner Bryan

 

divider-line

 

Watch and Participate (via Comments) during the Live TV Show via BeLiveTV on Facebook:  https://facebook.com/GoldylocksProductions/videos/817713451939165/

Call in Number: 1 (country code for the United States) + 323.870.3791

Switchboard is open 15 minutes prior to Show Time. Callers are taken in the order that they call in. Please unblock your phone number if you wish to get on air with Bryan. Blocked, Restricted and Private Callers are not brought on air. Press 1 to get onto the Host Que to ask your question, otherwise you will remain in Listen Mode only.  

Please Note: If you watch on TV or Facebook Live and call in, there is a delay between TV and Radio. The audio and video will be out of sync.

divider-line

 

Leave a Testimonial for your Favorite Goldylocks Productions Show(s):   http://www.goldylocksproductionsct.com/Radio—TV-Testimonials.html

 

archived shows location banner

 

Patreon with link

 

rev bryan rawls show banner

 

Terms of Service: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts do not encourage, teach or promote any kind of medical diagnosis or promise to cure an already existing medical condition. The Reading and Healing Messages do not focus on dis-ease but simply acknowledges it and instead focuses on perfect Health and Well-Being.

When you (the caller) agree to go on air, by pressing 1 on your phone to get into the host que, you are agreeing with the following terms and conditions: Goldylocks Productions and our Show Hosts are not medical professionals and our services do not replace medical care for humans or animals. We cannot treat, nor cure, an illness. Our services do not replace psychiatric care. We are not liable for any decisions made by you before, during, or after a call in phone session concerning your life and health in general.