Gardening Tip 19: Lawn beautification starts with a simple test
2:57 p.m. Monday, September 22, 2008
Do you have more crab grass in your lawn than regular grass? Is your grass coming up and then dying?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may want to address your soil's pH.
Soil pH is a measure of whether the soil is sweet or sour.
PH level advice
Raking the leaves can help reduce acidity in your soil.
If the soil is too acidic, add lime, which you can purchase from any garden store.
If the soil is too sweet, add an acidic product, available at lawn and garden stores.
September is a popular time to plant seed. However, grass seed will properly grow only if the soil falls into a narrow range of pH spectrum, between 6.6 to 7.4, garden expert Dave Jackson said.
If the pH is out of whack, the crab grass takes over.
"We've had a lot of people call in wondering why in the world their soil, their lawn isn't growing even after it comes up, so I suggest that they bring in a little, small soil sample," he said.
Jacksons Greenhouse, 1933 NW Lower Silver Lake Road, offers a free pH testing, or you can ask your local extension agent. Only a small amount of soil is necessary.
Ask the 49 Garden Expert!
Whether you are an experienced gardener or a novice, KTKA and Jackson's Greenhouse wants to make it more fulfilling for you.
Gardening Advice
See other interviews with a representative from Jackson's Greenhouse for more advice on gardening.
- Gardening Tip 24: Arrival of fall means more yard maintenance (October 27, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 23: Attack broadleaf weeds before it's too late (October 20, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 22: Next spring's weeds are making plans for your yard (October 13, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 21: Put your green thumbs to use in October (October 6, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 20: Don't assume flower growing season is over (Sept. 29, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 19: Lawn beautification starts with a simple test (Sept. 22, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 18: Some pure seed bags are not that innocent (Sept. 15, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 17: Got rotting tomatoes? The problem may be more than meets the eye (Sept. 8, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 16: Don't waste your money on crab grass killer (Aug. 25, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 15: Protecting your tomatoes (July 21, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 14: Weeding out grass look-a-likes (July 14, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 13: Combating plant-damaging beetles, bugs (July 7, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 12: Freeze threat over; check for soggy ground before planting (May 10, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 11: Don't get too anxious to start gardening (March 9, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 10: Start caring for your plants before weather warms up (February 8, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 9: Bring outdoors inside during cold weather (Nov. 20, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 8: To preserve your blooms, cover perennials at night (Oct. 12, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 7: Put down lawn seed by second week in October (Sept. 14, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 6: Moisture, fertilizer critical to beautiful lawns (Aug. 24, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 5: Soak your plants weekly (July 13, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 4: Water, fertilizer crucial during summer months (June 9, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 3: Hold off on planting fruits (May 11, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 2: Sow your seeds on Mother's Day (April 13, 2006)
- Spring time is almost here; get your greenthumb out (March 9, 2006)
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)