OCTOBER 2024

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ENHANCED CALCITIC LIME

Acidic soil pH conditions are a common challenge in the Maritimes. These acidic soil conditions have a major effect on the chemistry of the soil which makes it more difficult to grow healthy grass. Many important essential lawn nutrients are unavailable under these acidic soil conditions, unless otherwise corrected.

 The climate and vegetation contribute to these soil pH conditions, and, in most cases, lime applications are required to help neutralize acidic soil. As the soil conditions are neutralized, the lawn can begin to "take up" these important nutrients making it much easier to maintain a healthy lawn.

At Nutri-Lawn we use a premium enhanced calcitic lime product that is 4 times more effective than regular dolomitic limestone applications. Our enhanced calcitic lime is specially designed to work very quickly to neutralize soil conditions and free up essential nutrients. In comparison, regular limestone applications can take up to 4 years to fully breakdown and start working.

When soil becomes too acidic, nutrients that grass needs to thrive become unavailable, resulting in unhealthy turf. Regular lime applications will improve fertilizer performance, and reduce potential weed and moss problems.

BENEFITS OF FALL FERTILIZER

Both early fall and late fall fertilizer applications provide direct benefits for the lawn including the following:

• Promotes deep rooting in late fall and early spring.
• Prolongs dark green turf color into early winter.
• Ensures good winter survival.
• Enhances the storage of carbohydrates.
• Increased shoot density.
• Provides early spring green up.

The nutrients will be used to encourage deep root growth instead of shoot growth as the roots remain active in cooler temperatures.

THATCH

Thatch is undecomposed or partially decomposed layer of organic matter situated above the soil surface.

• Thatch is a combination of living and dead matter including crowns, stolons, rhizomes, and roots.
• Grass clippings do not generally contribute to thatch buildup, and they can easily be broken down by soil microorganisms.
• Thatch accumulates when the rate of shoot growth exceeds the rate at which the above ground parts of the plant decompose.
• Increases insect and disease presence. Many turf insects live and feed in the thatch. Thatch also harbors disease causing organisms.
• Thatch decreases heat, drought, and cold tolerance.
• Thatch reduces the movement of air, water, and fertilizers.

Power Raking is great a way to reduce thatch accumulation. It is also a gentle way to remove thatch from the lawn without causing the significant damage often associated with dethatching.

MOSS

Moss is a shallow-rooted plant that spreads by spores and root-like structures called rhizoids. It loves to grow during the gray, wet days of late fall and early spring. Moss will not overtake or kill your lawn, but instead will fill in any spaces where the lawn is thin.

For light to moderate moss, raking is best done by hand, using a leaf-type "fan" rake. Rake briskly to remove as much moss as possible, while minimizing damage to the turf grasses. Any bare areas should be re-seeded to fill in properly. For heavy moss or larger lawns, a power rake may be more effective.

Proper feeding, annual liquid aeration and enhanced calcitic lime applications will help minimize the amount of moss in a lawn. If heavy moss recurs year after year, consider these factors:

SHADE / LOW LIGHT

All grasses need 4 hours minimum of direct sunlight. Trees & shrubs may have grown to create shade. Can you prune to allow for more light? In areas of permanent shade, (north of the house, hedge, or fence) the answer may be to eliminate turf and plant a ground cover that does better in shaded areas.

POOR DRAINAGE

Soggy conditions will persist in areas of poor drainage. Moss absorbs water and nutrients directly from the surrounding environment and from the air. Core aeration helps but cannot solve a lack of drainage.

LACK OF AIR MOVEMENT

When yards are closed in by mature trees, shrubs, and fencing, airflow can constrict causing damp conditions to persist. Again, could selective pruning help?

Addressing these three conditions can help to minimize the amount of moss you face each year.

Nutri-Lawn

Bridgewater: 902.527.0007

Halifax: 902.468.8101

Kentville: 902.681.2654

Moncton: 506.857.9111

New Glasgow: 902.601.5046

Truro: 902.893.2099

1-888-688-7452