Guide to Getting a Green Lawn...Literally.

It is possible to get a beautiful lawn without all the harmful effects of using harsh fertilizers. Fertilizers cause burned out grass and deprive soil of essential nutrients and contribute to phosphorus issues in our water. In fact, one pound of phosphorus can create hundreds of pounds of algae! Luckily, Minnesota law bans fertilizers containing phosphorus. . Minnesota lawns are naturally high in phosphorus and don't need any extra. When purchasing fertilizer, make sure that the fertilizer has a middle number zero. Often, people over-fertilize their lawns. Testing the soil is a great way to avoid this. Soil test kits can be purchased through University of Minnesota Extension. To reduce fertilizing needs, try top-dressing the lawn with compost-soil mix. Another helpful tip is to not mow too short. Keep grass at 3 inches height to help roots grow deeper. If fertilization is desired, however, organic fertilizer is an alternative. Getting a green lawn doesn't come as quickly with organic care, but it's still very doable using natural methods. Nowadays many garden centers will carry ready-to-go organic fertilizers. Just like organic food, however, the price is more than non-organic fertilizer. If time isn't an issue, there are recipes available to make your own fertilizer at home. With an organic fertilizer, grass is much less likely to burn out. Also, a healthy lawn means healthy soil. Fertilizer-laden lawns are often devoid of life in the soil, which deprives any life above the soil of the nutrients they need. There is something comforting about having a lawn that I am not afraid to let my kids play in. I can also rest easy knowing that I am not contributing to the "pea soup" that forms when phosphorus levels are too high in our lakes and ponds.