Turfgrass & the Environment - Holding your Ground

Turfgrass has a very important benefit to the environment, your wallet, and your property.  Areas of well maintained lawns have dense, intricate systems of roots that literally will keep your land from washing down the drain. 

When a lawn is taken care of properly by fertilizing, mowing, irrigating, and other cultural practices, it will perform at it’s best.  Lawn fertilizer companies provide required nutrients through a good lawn care programs that will encourage the turfgrass plants to grow strong root systems.  These roots will then bind to soil particles and prevent soil erosion and soak up excessive amounts of rain water.  Weakly established an maintained areas of turf are often subject to weak root systems and can allow soil to slowly erode during periods of rain and snow fall.  Weak stands of turf are also subject to weed infestation which is another topic of discussion.

Testing Your Soil - The Free Checkup Your Lawn Needs

Providing your lawn with just the right amount of nutrients is best done by soil testing.  A basic soil test can give you an idea of how much of any nutrient your lawn will need to grow strong root systems.  Soil is a very valuable asset that many people over look because, well it is underground!  Soil test should be done once every 1-2 years.  When done correctly, a soil test will help to keep your fertilizing cost down, keep your lawn looking its best, maximize environmental benefits, and help the environment.

Author: Andrew Muntz received his Master’s of Science in Turfgrass science and his Bachelors of Science in Landscape Horticulture at The Ohio State University, Columbus OH.