Our Program

Omaha Organics uses a number of products and services to improve the health of your soil and lawn that are completely earth friendly. Our organic lawn care program consists of a soil test, 4-step fertilizer application, and aeration.

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Soil Test

Omaha Organics will start with an advanced soil test that will measure the chemical structure of the soil. Healthy grass begins with healthy soil. Healthy soil has a proper nutrient balance consisting Major Macronutrients, Minor Macronutrients, Secondary Nutrients, and Micronutrients. The test will measure organic matter, pH levels, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, excess lime rates, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron in the soil.

The soil test gives a snapshot of the present state of the soil and serves as a tool to measure the progress as soil structure improves.

It is also necessary to check thatch levels, soil compaction and root depth.

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Organic Granular Fertilizers - are products Omaha Organics use to stimulate growth and add slow release nutrients to the soil. Our Organic Fertilizer program consists of 4 applications spaced throughout the year.

Early Spring (April/May)
The first application is granulated Corn Gluten Meal or CGM.  Our Corn Gluten Meal will help with dandelions and crab grass, and will help build a healthy turf foundation. This application is designed for slow release of nutrients for continuous greening, and resistance to heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic.

Late Spring (May/June)
The second application contains important Micronutrients and Amino Acids not present in synthetic fertilizers. This application promotes seed germination and root development as it nourishes poor soil. It helps grass absorb Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium, encourages Chlorophyll production for intense green grass. This application also contains Iron(Fe)

Summer (July/August)
The third application is a Microbial Soil Conditioner, which contains Calcium and microbial components such as bacteria, actinomyces, and fungi. The Calcium will help promote plant and root development. The microbial component increases the biological activity in the soil structure and provides a healthy foundation for growth. This application also contains Iron(Fe)

Fall (September/October)
The final application (CGM) not only feeds the plant and prevents weed seeds, but also provides organic matter for the soil to break down and store for later use. This application maintains and rejuvenates the soil’s healthy foundation for healthy growth.

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Weed Control

Unfortunately there is not a quick, all-natural weed control product; however, prolonged use of a properly applied organic fertilizer program will reduce weeds, disease, and pests. The key to having a weed-free turf is proper mowing, fertilizing, aerating, seeding, and irrigation. If all of these elements are done properly, weed control will not be a problem.

If you would rather not wait for natural weed control, we can supplement the organic program with a synthetic weed spray.

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Aeration and Seeding

Regular aeration is critical in maintaining a healthy organic lawn. Aerating loosens compacted soil, increases oxygen to the roots, improves water and nutrient infiltration, encourages strong root growth, and breaks up thatch build-up.

Healthy looking grass has to start with healthy roots. Roots need oxygen from the soil to grow strong. Compacted soil restricts oxygen supply to the roots. Aerating loosens the compacted soil, which allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more easily. Aeration helps create a healthy soil source for roots to grow stronger and deeper, which makes the lawn more drought and disease tolerant. It is best to aerate every year on a continual basis.

Overseeding is highly recommended with most aerations. Just like everything else, grass ages, and reproduction rates slow. Thinning grass allows room for weeds to grow. Overseeding cycles in new grass to compensate for the natural slow down of the turf's reproduction, and insures your lawn stays thick and dense. Thick grass is less susceptible to weed growth. Also, there are new advances in grass seed every year improving disease resistance than those varieties already in your lawn.

All seed applied by Ground Solutions Inc. is certified by the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association. We typically apply one of two different varieties of seed: fescue or bluegrass.

Fescue grass is easily seeded and includes the sub species of tall bunching grasses named tall fescue and fine shorter fescues named creeping red, and chewing fescue.

All of the fescues share the same characteristics, generally being shade tolerant, staying green all year, and having very good drought resistance.  Fine Fescues are more cold and shade tolerant than Tall Fescue, but both are used throughout much of the central United States.

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Tall Fescue Planting Rates:

• New Lawns: 5-10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
  Recommended planting rate: 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
   
• Overseeding: 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.

Fine / Creeping Red Fescue Planting Rates:
New Lawns: 3-5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
Overseeding: 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.

Bluegrass is lush and finely textured. As most tender bladed grasses go; higher rates of fertilizer and water are needed. It's fast growing characteristic has the ability to develop a good root system against drought.

Bluegrass Planting Rates:
New Lawns: New: 1-3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
Recommended planting rate: 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.
 

• Overseeding: 1-2 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.

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