If you’ve spent all summer gazing at your grass, wondering why it’s thin, patchy, and yellow, while your neighbors in Eastham boast vibrant green lawns, it might be time to delve into the world of soil pH and its effects on grass.
Take a trip down memory lane to your high school chemistry lessons. Recall being taught that water is a neutral substance, whereas items like vinegar lean more toward the acidic side. On the flip side, there are base (or alkaline) substances, such as soap. Most students are introduced to pH using litmus paper, which turns red for acids and blue for bases.
A fact often overlooked by many homeowners is that soil too has a pH level, reminiscent of those liquid tests in chemistry. For the flourishing growth of most grass types, balanced soil is ideal. However, it’s quite prevalent, especially around Eastham, for homeowners to have soil with low pH levels.
Wondering if your lawn suffers from a low pH?
It’s not as simple as placing litmus paper on your lawn to ascertain its pH level. For a precise assessment, you’d want to engage an Eastham lawn care professional to test the soil. However, for a general overview, check for these signs indicating low soil pH:
Yellow patches in the lawn – especially if pets aren’t the culprits!
Limited and stunted grass growth
Leaf blight – a fungal condition that prospers in low pH environments
Grass wilting, despite adequate rainfall
Presence of pine needles – Pine trees favor acidic soil, and oaks are another telltale sign.
An abundance of weeds.
Wondering about the remedy for low pH soil?
Autumn is the prime season to have your Eastham lawn care expert inspect and address soil concerns. The course of action usually begins with soil testing, followed by treatment with the right soil balancing supplements. A well-balanced soil pH makes fertilization more effective, leading to enhanced grass growth.
