5 Things Your Lawn’s Soil Wants You to Know

Your lawn’s health is rooted in the soil in which it grows. Literally and pun intended. If you can get good soil, you have a great opportunity to have a healthy, green lawn.

So what is your lawn trying to tell you? The best way to find out is by looking at the symptoms and working backwards from there. Here are some common symptoms and the associated soil problems that may be causing them.
 

5 Symptoms and Soil Problems
 

1. Brown Spots and Acidic SoilIf your lawn has ugly brown patches, there’s a chance your soil is too acidic (low pH level). You can test your soil’s acidity using a pH test kit purchased from a local hardware or garden store.Adding lime to your lawn can help return your soil’s pH balance to a healthy level and make nutrients more accessible to the roots of your grass.
    
2. Poor Water Drainage and Compacted SoilIf water pools in your lawn for days at a time, it could be a sign that your soil is too compacted for the water to travel deeper into the soil, causing your soil to miss out on water and nutrients. Standing water can also become a breeding ground for bacteria.Check the moisture content of the soil by sticking a screwdriver or pencil into the soil. If it’s difficult to push into the soil, your soil is most likely compacted and should be aerated. Aeration creates small holes in your soil, forming pockets that boost the growth of grass roots, allowing moisture and nutrients to pass through the lawn soil and to the root system.
    
3. Clumps of Grass and GrubsAnother symptom you may notice during the summer months is loose clumps of grass. During the heat of summer, lawns are most vulnerable to grub infestation which may be the culprit. Grubs are white worms that live a few inches from the surface and live by feeding on grass roots.Most commercially available grub control products are for prevention, not removal. We recommend hiring a professional to apply a fast-acting insecticide to mitigate these lawn-destroying pests.
    
4. Brown Circles and Fungus in SoilHave you noticed brown circles (also known as “Fairy Rings”) in your lawn? Fairy Rings often appear first as dark green grass, eventually turning brown as the soil fungus infestation starves the roots of your grass of water and nutrients.Avoid watering your lawn at night and make sure you clean and sharpen your mower blade regularly as a first remedy. Should the problem continue, purchase and apply a fungicide only in the affected areas.
    
5. Wilting Grass and Dry SoilHeat stress and drought, both common in Middle Tennessee in summer, cause blades of grass to wilt. Deep, infrequent watering is especially important in the summer.Lawns need about 1″ to 1 1/2″ of water per week, with 1 1/2″ recommended during the harshest of summer conditions. It’s also recommended that watering occurs during the early morning hours which helps avoid evaporation and spread of fungal disease.

Your lawn is speaking to you…are you listening? If you’re experiencing these problems or others, we can help. Contact Pure Green now to chart a path to Great Green Grass!