More on Organic Care for Lawns: Soil and Ph
Sorry about keeping you guys waiting with the posts. Busy summer here with lawn care issues…
Soil and soil Ph ratings are hugely vital to be familiar with with any lawn. The ideal soil Ph reading for grasses is around 6.5. The grass itself causes an increase in acidity as time goes on, what with the clippings deteriorating and the biological events occurring underneath, including worms and castings. When the soil reaches 7.5 or above, what happens is things like dandelions, which love the acidity, can flourish and the grass will have a hard time competing. And, in the end, a dense and healthy stand of happy grass is the best possible deterrence for weeds of all kinds. One can effect a good Ph by adding lime when the Ph goes above 7.5, thus reducing the weed growth and promoting the grass growth..
Soil is another issue. When we order or mix in soil, we need to differentiate the difference between “dirt” and soil. Good soil had compost able elements, woods or bit of organic materials that can break down and supply the necessary nutrients for a long-lasting effect. 18 inches or more of composted and highly bacterial soil would be optimal. I have a friend that has soil this deep. While everyone else waters dozens of times or more over the summer, she waters just once or twice. She uses no fertilizer or pesticides. She has thick, dark green, weed-free grass which requires frequent mowing. Her lawn is about as “no-brainer” as you could get. This gives the lunatic fringe view on just what is so vital about soil, seeing as how hers is so ideal. Her grass roots and her choice of seed (Tall Fescue) determine much of this. The deeper-rooted the grass, the fewer times it needs watering. And even those waterings are infrequent but very deep.
If your soil depth is bad, it can be aided by applications of yet more soil, sometimes even over the top of a lawn. Granted, it will take a bit of time for the grass to completely thicken, but it is an adequate “lazy man’s method” of dealing with it. Other great methods include aerating and raking new soil into the holes just produced. A good lawn, given the right ingredients for growth and health can be an utterly “green” lawn in the ecological sense easier than many think.
