 Spring is right around the corner! Are you and your lawn ready? Here are a few tips on how you can get your lawn in shape before spring arrives!
Prepare the soil- Late winter is a great time to prepare your flower and garden beds. Soil can become compacted during the winter months, so the first thing that should be done is to loosen the soil by tilling. This is also a good time to mix in compost or mulch. This is also a great time to test the pH and determine whether it is in a good spot for what you are planning to plant. Level Your Lawn- The biggest reason why you may need to level your lawn is because you have a drainage issue. This is a task that can be done during winter. You can level your lawn by adding a layer of topsoil. Adding topsoil improves the soil’s health, structure and the capacity in which it holds water. Look for Standing Water- Standing water is harmful in more ways than one. It can be harmful to your lawn because grass can’t handle being underwater. It can completely damage your lawn’s root structure. If the standing water gets really bad, it could even damage your home’s foundation. It’s important to get to the root of the problem and create a drainage system before it causes damage! Clean Out- Late winter & early spring is a great time to clean out your flower beds and gardens. Get rid of any weeds that have popped up, any dead plants and remove any debris! This will give you a nice clean slate to beginning planting for spring! Prune- Late winter & early spring is also the perfect time to prune because you can see the branch structure well and you can shape the plant before the buds break dormancy and the plant starts investing energy in its branches. However, make sure to do some research to make sure that the plant doesn’t bloom on old wood. Several plants bloom on old wood and shouldn’t be pruned until after blooming such as Camellia, Rhododendron, Forsythia, Hydrangea, Lilac, Magnolia, and Mountain Laurel. We are always here to help! Give us a call at (864) 777-8873! By: Hannah Raines Copyright Turf Boss 2022
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 Is your soil alkaline, acidic or neutral? In this case, let’s dig deeper into what it means for your soil to be alkaline.
Let’s start at the beginning, what is pH? pH is a gauge of the hydrogen concentration in a substance. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14 with 7 as the neutral mark. pHs of 1-6 are acidic, while pHs of 8-10 are alkaline. The pH of acidic soil is raised by adding lime and the pH of alkaline soil is lowered by adding sulfur. Sometimes alkaline soil can be referred to as sweet and has a pH of more than 7. Alkaline soil can typically be found in areas with little rain fall such as desert areas. Soil could also become more alkaline due to lime in hard water. Alkaline soil contains heavy amounts of sodium, calcium and magnesium. It can lead to stunted growth and nutrient deficiency in plants. pH can be lowered to create less alkaline soil by adding sulfur. pH can be raised to create more alkaline soil by adding lime. Several weeds thrive in alkaline soil. If certain weeds pop up, it could signal that the soil is alkaline. Weeds that grow in alkaline soil include Dandelions, Chickweed, Goosefoot & Queen Anne’s Lace. Some vegetables & flowers also thrive with slightly alkaline soil. These include Asparagus, Okra, Cucumbers, Zinnias, Hostas & Lavender. If you are curious about what your soil’s pH there are several DIY testing kits available at home & garden stores. You could also have a soil sample sent off to a lab for the most precise reading. We also offer free soil testing and yearly pH testing here at Turf Boss! Give us a call at (864) 777-8873 with any questions! By: Hannah Raines Copyright Turf Boss 2022  Is your soil alkaline, acidic or neutral? In this case, let’s dig deeper into what it means for your soil to be acidic.
Let’s start at the beginning, what is pH? pH is a gauge of the hydrogen concentration in a substance. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14 with 7 as the neutral mark. pHs of 1-6 are acidic, while pHs of 8-10 are alkaline. The pH of acidic soil is raised by adding lime and the pH of alkaline soil is lowered by adding sulfur. Sometimes acidic soil can be referred to as sour and has a pH of less than 7. Acidic soil can normally be found in wooded areas and is the reason why several woodland plants thrive in acidic soil. During decomposition, organic matter breaks down and makes the soil more acidic. Soil could also become acidic due to the use of chemical fertilizers or the leaching out of calcium & magnesium during a big rain. pH can be lowered to create acidic soil by adding fertilizers that contain ammonium-N. pH can be raised to create less acidic soil by adding lime. Several plants not only prefer, but thrive in acidic soil. Hydrangeas, Daffodils, Azaleas & Tomatoes are just a few plants that prefer acidic soil. If you are curious about what your soil’s pH there are several DIY testing kits available at home & garden stores. You could also have a soil sample sent off to a lab for the most precise reading. We also offer free soil testing and yearly pH testing here at Turf Boss! Give us a call at (864) 777-8873 with any questions! By: Hannah Raines Copyright Turf Boss 2022 |
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