What should lawn ph be

Creating too much alkalinity will help weeds and weed grasses establish. Iron or Ferrous Sulphate will bring the pH down making the soil more acidic though this is usually only temporary.

If you need to use this read the label and be careful with quantities and application. Previous article What is Good Top Soil.

Next article Why Apply Top Dressing. Materials such as baking soda are alkaline. Alkalines have less hydrogen ion concentration than pure water, and much less than acidic items such as orange juice. You may have naturally acidic or alkaline soil. There are many localized exceptions, but as a general rule, soils in the Eastern and Southern United States tend to be acidic.

The Midwest tends to be more neutral, while soils in the Southwest and West tend toward alkalinity. The level of acidity originates from three main sources: rain, microbial activity, and nitrogen fertilizers.

As the soil pH increases above 7. A pH above 8. Most lawns and turf grasses thrive at a pH range of between 6. PH has an effect on plant growth, and important nutrients for plants tend to be available in soil when the pH is at those levels. Even if you ventured into the middle of the forest, you would find that the soil here in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina is too acidic for turfgrass. The same is true in residential areas. One way to ensure turfgrass success is by applying a chemical fertilizer, your typical blend of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus N-P-K.

While it provides nutrients to your lawn, this fertilizer blend actually makes your soil more acidic than it was naturally. We know N-P-K fertilizer contains excellent nutrients for your lawn, but lime contains some essential elements for growth, too.

Not only does it raise pH, but lime provides calcium and magnesium. As you can see, calcium ranks 3 rd in importance, while magnesium is just as important as phosphorus. Apply lime every year to keep the pH at a healthy level. This exists in lawns where there has been heavy rainfall and poor drainage.

Conversely, areas with dry climates tend to have alkaline soil. Your local Weed Man professionals can educate you on the natural acidity or alkalinity of your lawn and apply a treatment of either lime or sulfur to correct any imbalances.

Because soil types and their makeups can vary greatly, the amount of material needed will be dependent on your specific lawn.

Over-application of either treatment can have damaging results, as the pH level may shift drastically in the other direction. Brought to you by Weed Man: We care for your lawn. I'm very pleased with what this company has provided me. The quality of the work is well above other lawn care services around my area.