Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, and Healthy Grass

Many people perceive the landscape as separate parts that must be taken care of individually to stay healthy. The lawn must be mowed, and plant material must be pruned, but these two services are not connected, right? This is a common misconception in the world of lawn care as every aspect of your landscape truly is interlinked. If you were wondering, the place where it is most interconnected is the soil. This is where all the root systems reside, for your turf, plant material, and trees. The more nutrient-rich this soil is, the smoother the growth processes will be for your plant material of all types. In this blog, we will show you how healthy soil leads to healthy plants and healthy grass.

What is Soil Health?

To many, all soil is the same. This could not be further from the truth and is why different types of crops grow better in different places when it comes to agriculture. It really all comes down to the type and fertility of the soil in a particular area. Soil health really breaks down to the biodiversity of the soil, the pool of organic matter, and the soil’s acidity. Biodiversity refers to the diversity of the biological material present in the soil. Compost is a great example of improving biodiversity. Because the organic matter being broken down comes from different sources, the overall soil makeup will be more well-rounded. The pool of organic matter refers to the quantity of that organic matter within the soil. This is why you need routine treatments that ensure the addition of these materials. Acidity is all about the pH level of the soil. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 14, with 7 being a neutral level of acidity. There are specific treatments that will level out this number. 

Threats to Soil Health

There is opposition in all things, even the landscape. In Texas, they go by lawn disease, lawn pests, and weeds. We beat on the importance of preventing these predators constantly, but that is precisely because they threaten the health of your soil. When pests infest the soil, burrowing around and chewing on the roots, your soil is not safe for your plant material. The same goes for weeds that spread via underground rhizomes. One final threat to your soil that you might not have thought of, is chemicals. This is why we use only organic fertilizer, as many lawns in our area have fallen victim to decay by excess chemical application. Doing what you can to prevent these threats to your soil health will only be positive for your soil. 

Prioritizing Soil Health with Higher Ground

First and foremost, the most significant way you can improve soil health is by prioritizing the biodiversity and organic matter of your soil. Organic fertilizer treatment will do exactly that, by adding a compost-based plethora of organic matter to the soil and feeding the soil biology already there. Furthermore, the pH level of your soil can be tested, and lime or sulfur treatments can be applied if necessary to adjust the pH up or down as needed. In our North Texas area, we are usually more alkaline in our soil profiles. If you learn how to get keep your soil healthy, then you will have healthy plants and healthy grass.

Higher Ground Lawn Care and Lighting is ready to take your property to a higher level. Experience why your neighbors and businesses in University Park, TX & surrounding areas trust Higher Ground Lawn Care & Lighting with their properties. Give us a call at (682) 206-3596 or check out our website today.