- Find out how to give your lawn a spring boost—take a soil sample to be tested!
- Build or buy a new compost bin, ready to recycle the coming season’s garden waste
- Dig out a new pond,or install a water feature, to attract more wildlife
- Check that tree ties aren’t too tight and that stakes are still firmly anchored in the ground
- Prune out any wind-damaged branches on trees and shrubs
- Fork up emerging shoots of perennial weeds, such as ground elder, removing every bit of root
*The first order of business is to get the soil tested. Why? A soil sample should be taken before fertilizing a lawn because it allows you to accurately determine the existing nutrient levels in your soil, ensuring you apply the correct amount of fertilizer and avoid over-fertilizing, which can be harmful to the grass and the environment; a soil test also reveals the soil pH level, allowing you to adjust it if necessary to optimize grass growth and nutrient absorption.
Key points about soil testing before fertilizing:
- Identify nutrient deficiencies:
A soil test reveals which nutrients are lacking in your soil, so you can target those specific needs with fertilizer.
- Prevent over-fertilizing:
Applying too much fertilizer can be wasteful and potentially damage your lawn.
- Optimize fertilizer use:
By knowing your soil composition, you can apply the right amount of fertilizer for optimal grass growth.
- Adjust soil pH:
A soil test indicates if your soil is too acidic or alkaline, allowing you to add slow-release lime or other amendments to correct the pH level.
- Prevent environmental impact:
Over-fertilizing can lead to nutrient runoff, polluting waterways, so a soil test helps you use fertilizer responsibly.
DID YOU KNOW? Foliar feeding, and that includes turfgrass, has proven to be more effective than root feeding!! You may want to try MICROBE LIFE PHOTOSYNTHESIS PLUS, which can be applied by spraying.
