How has your lawn held up to the extreme summer months? If it’s starting to look yellow or has a few brown spots that don’t go away no matter what you do, never fear. Creating the lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted is more than possible. Even better? Lawns that depend more on natural methods rather than harmful chemicals do the bonus work of taking care of the environment. Environmentally responsible lawn care services are something we can all get behind, whether we have one or not. Look below for some tips on creating green and healthy lawns, from using proper materials to avoiding common beginner mistakes.

Quick Facts

How well do you know your lawn? Let’s put your knowledge to the test. Grass plants are anywhere from 75% to 80% water, by weight — this makes how much you water and don’t water your lawn one of the most important details. A dense and healthy lawn is able to prevent run-off, a term that describes excess rainfall seeping into unwanted areas. It’s considered up to six times more effective than even a wheat field! Americans love their lawns deeply and will put a lot of effort into maintaining them. But how much is too much?

Don’t Walk On Your Lawn When It’s Cold

Here’s a common rookie mistake. Try to avoid walking on your lawn when it’s cold out. Whether it’s the middle of the winter or the early morning frost, walking on your delicate grass blades while they’re frozen will cause breakage. This makes grass have a much more difficult time growing back once it starts to get warmer, creating those brown spots we all know and hate. But what else can you do for your lawns?

Use Less Harmful Chemical Products

Many American lawn owners will turn to pesticides to get rid of pesky insects. Unfortunately, pesticides are one of the biggest hazards in the country. Over 60 million birds will die from pesticide poisoning every year. These chemicals are also harmful to helpful creatures, such as worms. When up to 40% of nitrogen from fertilizer runs off into ground and surface water, it’s imperative you avoid temptation and go organic.

Try The Organic Approach

A naturally healthy lawn is good for everybody involved. They keep animals and helpful insects safe, supporting the environment, and also prevent gross backwash from getting into your local sewer system. Environmentally responsible lawn care can be requested when you contact an organic lawn care company. Not only can they give you superior products, they can test the state of your lawn. The type of grass that does best, for example, is in soil with a pH at around 6.5 or 7.0.

Don’t Trim Your Grass Too Much

Tempted to go around with the lawnmower again? You might want to hang back. Leaving your grass a little longer will actually benefit in the long run. Two and a half to three and a half inches is considered a manageable middle length by most professionals, encouraging a healthier lawn throughout the year than if it’s too short or too long. When you combine these simple habits with organic lawn care, your lawn will be more lush and green than ever before. Most of all, there will be no harmful consequences from you trying to keep your home looking good.