To thrive as a natural, organic gardener — or to cultivate a vibrant, organic lawn — you need to adopt a new perspective on your soil.

Soil organisms have similar needs to ours: they need water, air, food, and a way to process waste. When soil is healthy, enriched with natural materials, and remains loose and aerated, these organisms can perform their roles efficiently, allowing fertilization and plant growth to occur naturally.

Organic fertilizers act as nourishment for the soil’s ecosystem, feeding the microorganisms that sustain plant health. In contrast, chemical fertilizers provide nutrients directly to plants, but a significant portion often ends up polluting our lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater.

By fostering grasses and other plants in rich, living soil, you’ll make them more resilient to drought, resistant to disease, and easier to maintain.