A lawn is made up of millions of plants and as elsewhere in the organic garden, good soil structure and adequate fertility are essential for vigorous growth. Healthy grass prevents weeds from becoming established, shrugs of pests and diseases and withstands drought better.

Lawns are one of the few areas of a garden that stay permanently covered with growth, preventing bulky organic soil improvers from being dug in. These can however be applied as a topdressing, which helps maintain soil structure. Supplemental feeding may be necessary as well.

Feeding- is not an annual necessity. If grass growth and color are good then do not feed. If growth is poor then apply a general organic fertilizer over the whole lawn in early spring. Garden compost or a compost fertilizer such as  Happy Frog Premium Lawn Organic Fertilize spread thinly, can also be used. An application of Maxicrop Liquified Seaweed in spring and summer improves lawn growth and color. If growth continues to be slow feed again later in the summer and apply topdressing in autumn.

Beneficial Organisms- Lawns require healthy populations of microorganisms converting organic material into humus in order to survive. EM1® Microbial Inoculant will also help with soil structure for reduced erosion. Most plants have a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Unfortunately, because of soil depletion and new construction, these fungi are no longer present in the soil. By replacing the beneficial fungi, your lawn will grow faster, more robustly, and be healthier overall. It will also promote tolerance to disease and drought. Guardian MY Liquid Beneficial Soil Fungi are carefully blended with other organic components and are well suited to a wide variety of soils, climates and plants. This aspect of soil care is the most neglected, yet  one of the most important components of healthy plant growth.

Liming- should be done if your soil is acidic. Acidic soils encourage thatching which causes poor grass growth and favors moss and certain weeds, like sheep sorrel. If you pH is below 5.5 or 6.0, lime the area to bring it up to 7.0 pH. Ground limestone or dolomitic lime evenly sprinkled over the lawn and gently raked in is the appropriate organic treatment. Test your soil’s pH annually and repeat as necessary.

Dethatching- Thatch is the name given to the layer of fibrous material and organic debris that can accumulate on the soil surface to the depths of a lawn. It prevents water from reaching the soil, encourages diseases, and stops grass from thickening. You can remove the thatch with a rake or a power dethatcher. Dethatching should be done in early autumn. Organica Natural Lawn Dethatcher is 100% organic and designed specifically to breakdown thatch into a rich layer of humus. A  thatch  layer more that ¼ inch thick must be removed to ensure grass plants get enough air for healthy growth. It is particularly important to keep thatch under control in areas where there are fungal disease problems (like brown patch).

Aerating- is the process of punching holes in the soil to allow air and water to penetrate. This process is only necessary for compacted areas of the lawn. Aeration is best done in early autumn and when the soil is moist. This can be done with a hollow tined aerator that takes out the core of the soil about 4in (10cm) deep. This process should be done once every 3 years where compaction is a problem. A  Lawn Aerator  cuts into the soil under your lawn with four sets of tempered steel "knives," to permit easy absorption of water, oxygen and nutrients. Perfect to use in compact, clay soil. Aerate before overseeding or spot seeding your lawn. Reduce soil compaction to let in air and water, which promotes the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, and encourages healthy lawns.

Topdressing- is the sprinkling of various soil-improving materials onto the soil surface. These materials should be applied in thin layers so the lawn can grow through. This process can be done after aeration (for compacted areas) of the lawn for better results. Good soil structure encourages worm activity that in turns improves drainage. Worms also help take surface debris down into the soil. Topdressing should be applied in spring or fall. The grass should be cut to 1in (2.5cm) and any large weeds, moss, or thatch should be removed prior to applying the topdressing to the lawn.