Healthy soil is the foundation for a beautiful lawn. Therefore, it’s important for your soil to be monitored regularly, that way if there are any issues, they can be dealt with correctly. 

Need some more information about the importance of a healthy soil pH? Check out the following from our Waynes Service Professionals.

For Reference:

• A lower pH = more hydrogen ions to absorb nutrients = acidic soil
• A higher pH = fewer hydrogen ions to absorb nutrients = alkaline soil

Our Turfgrass professionals at Waynes said that most soils in Alabama and Tennessee are acidic, which means a lower pH, and generally ranges from 5.7 to 6.3. These numbers tell us our native soil is generally too acidic to reach its optimal growth. In the areas that Waynes services, it is likely your lawn will range in the acidic level with a lower pH.

So, how do we fix this? With lime. No, we are not talking about the fruit that grows on trees that we use in food or drinks, but the lime that comes from limestone or chalk. The main component of this lime is calcium carbonate and its purpose is to raise the pH level in soils. 

Lime reduces hydrogen ions and allows other nutrient absorption which defends against the weedy, patchy, and yellowish looking lawn. Think of this, lime to your lawns soil is basically the equivalence of heartburn medicine for an upset stomach.

Through our Envirolawn Solution at Waynes, we check pH regularly during round 6. This is important because seemingly small changes in pH readings can mean BIG changes for turfgrass plants.You might think a jump from a pH reading of 6 to a pH reading of 5 is not a big deal, but a jump like this means the soil is ten times more acidic than the pH reading of 6.

When the pH falls below 6, the availability of the most common macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) decreases. If a lawn professional notices this, they will add lime to your lawn. The lime will provide calcium and magnesium to the soil, ensuring your lawn has the proper nutrition for optimal growth.

Get Your Lawn Barefoot Good by Waynes

We know this is a lot to take in and there is so much more than adding lime or maintaining the proper pH for a Lush Lawn. 

At Waynes, our Service Professionals are trained to notice signs of an ailing lawn and they ultimately want the best for you and your lawn . We can identify any problems you may have as well as the treatments needed to improve the health of your soil through our Envirolawn Solution. Call us at 866.WAYNES1 or contact us today!