You have to define what your expectations are. Through years of advertising, many Americans have been sold the idea that a lawn has to look like a golf course with dark green grass, not a weed allowed and cut very short. Weeds were labeled the enemy and had to be eliminated with all sorts of chemicals and herbicides. Weeds actually provide the message that the soil is out of balance.

During the initial stages of an organic program, weeds may exist and the lawn may look less green for a period of time. It will require your patience, as the soil system is rehabilitated. Eventually, your organic lawn will have fewer and fewer weeds, as a healthy soil favors grass over the weeds.

An organic lawn program also requires a specific maintenance routine. Mowing the grass higher allows more leaf surface to perform more photosynthesis and thus manufacture more food for growth. Mowing the lawn short limits this process. Therefore, mowing the grass at 3" to 4" tall will produce a healthier lawn and at the same time shade the soil and lower watering requirements. Watering deeply and infrequently promotes deeper roots that will help the lawn through times of drought and stress. In addition, the grass clippings should be mulched on the lawn, to recycle nutrients back to the soil, providing a source of free fertilizer.

plants in the wrong place and actually provide the message that the soil is out of balance. An organic lawn will take a totally different perspective. Therefore, lawn maintenance will require a specific program to be followed so as to maximize the grass plants health. Knowing that grass plant needs sunshine, the more leaf surface, the more photosynthesis, which in-turn produces more energy for bigger roots. Thus, mowing the grass higher, generally 3 - 3 1/2" tall will produce a healthier lawn and at the same time shade the soil and lower water requirements. In a healthy lawn, weeds are not a problem, because they are crowded out by healthy grass and only grow where there is something wrong with the soil.

Upon transitioning to an organic program, initially the lawn will look less green for a period of time. It will require your patience and understanding as the plant-soil system is transitioning from synthetics to the organic approach.