The pictures here are of the old lawn at Dog Team Road in early spring after the first mowing. You may be surprised to know that, I let the Clover, Creeping Charlie and other, so called weeds, participate in the community of plants that is a lawn.
Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Alfalfa, Creeping Charlie or Ground Ivy, all contribute nitrogen to the soil and reduce the need for fertilizer inputs.
Control of these plants is done by proper mowing methods. I try to get the dandelions before they go to seed heads but, don't worry too much as, the bees need them in the early spring when nothing else is flowering and the winter stores at the hive are used up.
During the growing season, I fertilize using the Neptune's Harvest products and the occasional broken bag of organic fertilizer that pops up here sometimes.
I fertilize in the fall using kelp meal and some lime, if needed. I'm fortunate to have deep rich topsoil here and your methods and inputs will probably differ, but, I thought I'd demonstrate what a natural lawn looks like.
In the spring, I sometimes have to mow more than once a week.
By the way, the top right picture is Angel, chewing on the lid to a five gallon pail of organic fertilizer. It's makes for a great frisbee. She loves to play out there and really appreciates the fact that it's safe for her to hang out on the lawn and grounds. She adds a little compost now and then too!
