Organic Fertilizer Program

Organic Based Transitional Lawn Treatment Program

The purpose of our Organic Based Transitional Lawn Treatment Program is to reduce the amount of conventional herbicides and synthetic fertilizers used on your lawn, while still effectively controlling weeds and improving turf and soil quality.

If it were possible to achieve a lush green lawn completely free of weeds using purely organic inputs right away, we wouldn’t need this transitional program (unless you’re willing to hand pull every weed!). Since a completely organic program will not achieve a weed free lawn right away, this program offers the best of both worlds while working toward transitioning to a fully organic program.  If you’d like to read more about the science behind our Transitional Organic Based Fertilizer Program, please check out this link from Iowa State University. There’s a wealth of information from reputable scientific studies that show why this program will work for your lawn.

Primary Benefits of An Organic Fertilizer Program

• Reduces the overall use of conventional herbicides by 33%

• Utilizes 92% OMRI organic listed fertilizers for plant nutrition instead of 100% conventional

• Utilizes the safest conventional herbicides options available for weed control

• Begins the buildup process of the weed controlling di-peptides found in organic corn gluten

• The slow release organic based fertilizers improve soil health and provides organic nutrients for beneficial soil microorganisms

• Begins the transition to a weed free fully organic lawn treatment program

The Process of Implementing an Organic Based Tranisitional Lawn Treatment Program

1. Soil Testing – In concert with the long term goals of reducing or eliminating herbicides and transitioning to organic based fertilizers, it is crucial to understand the current nutrient, organic matter, and PH levels in your soil. We never want to sell you a service your lawn doesn’t need, so learning about your existing soil conditions allows us to tailor a plan that gives you only what your lawn needs to thrive and eliminates costly 1 size fits all applications. Soils in the Minneapolis and St. Paul Metro areas vary greatly in their content, ranging from heavy clay to almost pure sand. These varying soil types will require different amendments to create ideal growing conditions for turf. Soil tests all over Minnesota often show great healthy soil that needs little to no major improvements like a need to add lime or organic matter, but even the best soils still require nutrient inputs to promote lush healthy lawns. Testing eliminates the guess work and is easy to do.

2. Soil Amendments If Needed – Only if your soil test shows a need for the application of soil amendments will the appropriate amendment(s) be recommended. One of the primary reasons for applying soil amendment inputs is to balance PH levels if your soil test shows your lawn is to alkaline or acidic. Having the right PH increases the availability of nutrients to your lawn and helps increase the populations of beneficial soil organisms breaking down nutrients into their plant usable forms. Another important reason to apply soil amendments like aerobic compost is if soil tests show a lack of organic matter in your soil. Having appropriate levels of organic matter in the soil allows water and nutrients to bind to the soil and prevents the leaching of nutrients. Organic matter is also a crucial component of building up the levels of beneficial soil microorganisms in your soil, which help break down organic nutrients into their plant usable forms. Since MN law prohibits the application of phosphorus unless used during new grass establishment (i.e. seeding or sodding) or if soils test shown insufficient levels, phosphorus will never be applied unless required. If your soil in fine, than we won’t recommend adding an amendment you don’t need.

3. Early Spring Weed and Organic Based Feed – Application of corn gluten meal which is a 100% OMRI listed organic fertilizer and potash. In addition to the corn gluten meal fertilizer application, your lawn will be treated with a pre-emergent herbicide to control crabgrass and liquid iron to promote a dark green color. The weed control active ingredients naturally found in corn gluten are called di-peptides. They require a building up period in the soil for 2-3 years for best results, so corn gluten alone will not prevent problem weeds like crabgrass and other weeds during the first two years of use. This is why we still use the conventional pre-emergent application to prevent weeds from taking over while we are building up the natural weed control properties in the soil derived from continued corn gluten meal applications.

4. Late Spring Fertilizer and Weed Control – Application of Granular 100% OMRI listed organic corn gluten meal will be applied again as a slow release fertilizer, which will continue to feed your lawn throughout the summer months. Your lawn will also be spot sprayed for broadleaf weeds like dandelions using an organic iron based weed killer.

5. Fall Weed and Feed – Application of Granular 100% OMRI listed organic corn gluten meal will be applied again as a slow release fertilizer along with potash. A treatment of conventional weed killer will also be applied to kill off tough weeds that were not able to be killed with the organic iron based treatment in spring. This treatment gives you the best shot at eliminating weed populations going into the following year should you wish to transition into a fully organic lawn treatment program that eliminates conventional herbicides, but don’t want a lawn full of weeds as you make the switch.