Homeowners take great pride in having well-maintained lawns. Some of the fertilizers (and other lawn chemicals) on the market are considered to be toxic and dangerous for pets and children.
To some, the risk of endangering their family is just too high. In an attempt to protect their family, they often seek other avenues that will help them keep their lawn looking beautiful organically.
Advantages of Making Homemade Organic Lawn Fertilizer
Homemade organic lawn fertilizer works in much the same way as chemical fertilizer only with fewer risks and more benefits. They include:
- Less toxins introduced into the soil, water and air
- Less risk of pets or wild animals being exposed to toxic chemicals
- Less expensive
- Similar results compared to chemical fertilizers
Homemade lawn fertilizer can be made using ingredients normally found in a person’s kitchen. One popular recipe that can be easily mixed and applied with a handheld spray has the following list of ingredients:
- 3/4 cup regular soda (do not use diet soda)
- 3/4 cup beer (must be regular beer, do not use light)
- 1/4 cup liquid dish soap (cannot contain anti-bacterial)
- 1/4 cup ammonia
- 1/4 cup any brand of mouthwash
Add to a 4 gallon backpack sprayer and fill the rest of the way with water.
Seal tightly and apply to the lawn. The remainder can be stored.
Reapply the solution every three weeks to ensure adequate coverage and provide the grass with the nutrients it needs to thrive and continue to grow. Make sure to stick to this schedule, especially when temperatures are above normal.
The major downside is organic fertilizers are generally considered slow release which means they take longer to work.
Compost
Compost has been proven to be an effective fertilizer for gardens and plant boxes.
It can also be used when reseeding or planting grass seed. Mixing grass seed and compost material together and spreading it evenly over your lawn is a great way to overseed.
Compost is made of natural plant matter that has been allowed to decompose and create a mixture of nutrients, for maximum growth.
Compost by mixing vegetable peels, uncooked vegetables that are no longer fresh enough to eat and other
Meat, broth, or fats should never in a compost bin. They can become rancid, spoiling the mixture and possibly damaging the plants.
When mixed correctly, compost can be extremely potent and works well when mixed with grass seed before it is applied.
Compost bins are extremely easy to build or one can be purchased that is relatively inexpensive.
Fill it with two or three shovel fulls of dirt and then start blending in small portions of vegetable and fruit scraps. After each addition, stir the contents and then let the material set until the next day.
Stir the mix at least once a day and every time you add new material.
Making the Choice to Switch
Making the choice to switch from chemical fertilizer to homemade lawn fertilizer can be difficult at the start.
Chemical fertilizers come with explicit directions and are formulated in precise amounts to increase their efficiency and growing ability. When you first start to use homemade fertilizer, you will have some initial trial error to get the best results.
Depending on the growing region, the level of rainfall received, the seasonal temperature and the type of soil, varying amounts of the fertilizer will be needed to get your lawn looking good.
The same is true when compost is used. Since different types of fruit and vegetables are constantly being added to the mix, the type of nutrients the compost supplies may be different each time it is applied.
This doesn’t mean the compost will not be effective. It only suggests that it may not be as potent as chemical fertilizers that are created using the same recipe each time.
It may take slightly longer for the compost to produce the same results as other types of fertilizers, but the reduced risk of danger to children and pets is well worth the trade.
Organic lawn fertilizer is proven to be effective without the use of harsh chemicals. This type of fertilizer is less likely to harm the environment or endanger the smaller members of the family.