There is an assumption that lawn problems can be solved by applying fertilisers alone, but this is not the case. If a lawn has become acidic – a lawn with a pH below 5.5 - some of the essential nutrients become locked up in the soil and become unavailable to the grass plant.
This is not just confined to areas which are naturally acidic. These can be identified by the plants which naturally thrive in the area. If, for instance, rhododendrons thrive on your soil it is a sure sign that the soil is acidic. Lawns also become acidic through natural means like acid rain or leaving clippings to mulch down of their own accord. Robot mowers are doing this all the time.
When a lawn has a pH of below 5.5 the grass starts to find it difficult to take up nitrogen which will affect the appearance of the grass leaf. Phosphorus will also start to be locked up. Phosphorus is essential for healthy root growth and aids germination of grass seed. Potassium will also be locked up. Potassium seems to be a catalyst in the formation of plant cells which contain a large amount of potassium, especially in the case of grass. It is closely associated with the opening of the small pores in the outer surface of leaves which control water loss from the leaf surface, but its primary function would appear to be dealing with stress within the plant.
The ideal pH is 6.5
Traditionally the way to adjust pH has been to apply lime but this is a messy job, and the dose is very variable. BIO-Lime – from organic experts, Vivano and exclusively distributed in the UK by DJ Turfcare - is dust free and comes in pellet form. It can be spread using a normal spreader. It also contains bacteria called Bacillus which is found naturally in the soil and eats thatch, converting it into plant food. BIO-Lime also contains magnesium which helps to maintain the green colour during the winter months.
BIO-Lime is endorsed by the RHS and comes in 20kg bags which treats up to 400m2 or 5kg boxes which treat up to 100m2. It can be used throughout the year, but the best time is during the winter - just the time when the keen gardener has time to attend to their lawn care.
Find out more
To find out more about DJ Turfcare please visit www.djturfcare.co.uk or call 01483 200976.
