…And how organic fertilizer will help.
Common lawn problems: Shade
Kingston neighborhoods are home to an abundance of trees, improving the aesthetic value of our neighborhoods and providing a cooling effect. Unfortunately, these trees shade lawns depriving them of their needed energy source.
Because grass grown in the partial shade can create less food than in the full sun, it is important NOT to apply synthetic fertilizers for more reasons than one. In the context of this post, synthetic fertilizer will deplete your shady lawn because of the rate it is released into the soil, when using these fertilizers, your grass will experience “surge growth” for a short period of time depleting the root system of stored energy. The shaded grass is unable to keep photosynthesis up with the demand and becomes weak, shallow-rooted, and vulnerable to drought & disease.
The fix?
Fertilize partially shaded lawns only with organic fertilizer and prevent surge growth from thinning your lawn down the road.
TIP:
Although some grasses can be tolerant to partial shade, it is important to avoid trying to maintain grass in fully shaded environments as there are no grasses that will thrive in full shade.
Common lawn problems: Poor soil
Newer neighborhoods in Kingston are plagued with soil problems for two reasons. The first reason is that newly built homes are made to a different standard than in the good ol’ days, the result is very poor soil being put under the sod, and in some cases, straight sand.
The second reason newly built homes have poor soil is because rich fertile soil takes time to build, and plants are the heavy lifters. Grasses with their fibrous root systems are amazing soil builders, topsoil you find in your garden center almost certainly came from a grassland somewhere.
The fix?
Fertilize your grass annually, if you fertilize properly during your lawn’s active period of growth then you are helping your grass build itself better soil. Organic fertilizer is a two-in-one, it fertilizes your grass and benefits your soil.
TIP:
Fall is the most important time to fertilize your lawn and is highly recommended for homeowners looking to improve their property.
Common lawn problems: Drought
July is Kingston’s driest month on average and temperatures easily reach the high twenties. Kingston is often very windy, adding to the drying effect of the temperature. This spells trouble for your plants and especially grass.
Lawns are plants purposely grown very short and therefore have a shallow root system as compared to your trees, shrubs, and even your lawn weeds. When your soil becomes too dry your lawn will become dormant in self-preservation and will appear brown, no longer able to purify our air, cool our neighborhoods or provide shelter to your soil ecosystem.
The fix?
Water management, yes there is no substitution for H2O, but there are ways you can improve its efficiency. Organic fertilizer and compost will add organic matter to your soil, improving the water holding capacity and therefore, water availability to your lawn. Paired with deep and infrequent watering, your organic lawn can stay lush all summer.
TIP:
Mow your lawn 4″ or higher in the summer to encourage deeper roots for better water scavenging.
Wrapping up
Kingston lawns often experience at least one of these challenges if not more, by being informed, you can have a lush lawn for years to come. Seasonal lawn care is the primary way to overcome poor lawns and by choosing organic fertilizer, your lawn will benefit in the three categories mentioned above while synthetic lawns will be in reverse.