Those who are into organic gardening know what organic soil enhancers such as compost can do to the garden. But if you have a lawn in your home and you want to keep it looking green and healthy, then adding compost to your lawn might be the best that you can do. Compost is one, if not the best organic food for the soil because it adds vital nutrients and trace elements that you won't normally get from commercial lawn fertilizers. It's also safe to use around grass plants as it doesn't burn their leaves.

A 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer of compost application every year or two is guaranteed to improve the condition and health of the grass plants. They will grow thicker, greener, and more resistant to droughts, fungus, diseases and pests. Regular lawn compost treatment will eliminate the need for soil fertilizers because the soil microbes in compost can produce a steady supply of organic matters that serve as food for your grass plants. Compost also makes the soil hold moisture better and in the long run, you'll notice that you won't have to water your lawn frequently. All this will result to less lawn maintenance and improved lawn health and appearance.

So how do you apply compost to your lawn? The key to lawn compost is using fine-textured compost. If you're using homemade compost, sieve it first with a garden sieve to filter out big lumps. If the texture is not fine enough, you can mix in equal parts of sharp sand. This will also make the compost heavier so it will sink better and faster into the soil. For better compost absorption, it is recommended that you aerate your lawn first using a garden fork. Make holes of about 2-3 inches deep. Then spread the compost mix over the lawn, by hand or with a shovel, and even it out with the use of a rake. Make sure that the compost layer is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Thicker is not better because it will take time for the compost to be absorbed and decomposed. You can aerate the lawn again after application of the compost.

Give your lawn a good and deep watering to help the compost get down into the soil. Don't mow your lawn for a week or more to give time for the compost to break down into nutrients that your grass plants need. Compost will be visible in your lawn for three to five weeks, but eventually, it will be absorbed into the soil and will start to work its magic from underneath. You only need to apply compost once or twice a year and you will see the big difference that it can make to your lawn: the grass will always be greener on your side of the fence.