What’s the best way to eliminate weeds and pests? Grow a healthy lawn and garden following nature’s best techniques. Natural gardening avoids harmful, polluting fertilizers and pesticides and encourages the healthy growth of lawns and gardens.
The problem
Fertilizers can leak from your lawn or garden into the water supply and pollute storm drains, streams, rivers and other water sources. This causes algae to overgrow, harming aquatic wildlife.
Meanwhile, pesticides that are used to control weeds, diseases and insects are usually toxic and can poison people, pets and wildlife. The bad news for your garden is that pesticides can kill beneficial creatures, such as insects, worms and birds.
The solution
Follow these tips for a healthy lawn and garden from Portland Metro. The best thing about some of these suggestions is that they require less effort on your part!
- Start with healthy soil
Each year, turn two to three inches of compost or aged manure into the soil or use it as mulch. This organic material improves drainage and feeds the creatures that provide nutrients to your plants.
- Practice grasscycling
By grasscycling, or leaving grass clippings on your lawn, you release nutrients into the ground, reducing the need for fertilizer.
- Water infrequently
Water deeply and infrequently, and let the lawn dry between waterings. You’ll have to water only about an inch a week. This encourages deep roots that withstand drought.
- Aerate the lawn
Use a power aerator or push a garden fork six inches deep, every four inches. Next, overseed the lawn with a rye/fescue mix, optimal for the Pacific Northwest climate. Finish by spreading fine compost about one-quarter inch deep.
Clark County offers lectures, workshops and demonstrations through its Naturally Beautiful Backyards Program, a great source for more information about sustainable gardening.
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