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Jessica Schwartz
Turf Specialist Recommends Natural Approach To Growing Fall Grasses
Whether you’re a turf specialist or an enthusiastic gardener, most of us already know that renovating and growing sustainable grass can be tricky, even downright frustrating. Using compost and a natural water conservation agent like H2OExcel while seeding, sodding and growing lawns this fall is the key to a positive end result, according to James Rafferty, horticulturalist and owner of Lawn Wranglers of Belleville, IL. It’s all about making the soil healthier, to aid in the growing process of the lawn, according to Rafferty. Adding organic products to the soil will help the lawn better sustain itself over the long term. “No matter what type of soil you have, whether it’s full of clay or rock, I recommend using a natural compost, along with a natural water conservation agent such as H2OExcel from Brookside Agra, when seeding or sodding in the fall. The compost is a super seed germinator and will make the turf more sustainable over the long-term, instead of using a starter fertilizer, which is only a short-term solution,” he said. “The pH of my compost is typically within the optimal range for turfgrass growth, so it isn’t always necessary for me to test the pH of the soil, knowing that if there are any variations between the soil and the compost, over time, the compost will help bring out a more desirable pH.” Although still a relatively new science, the use of a natural water conservation agent when seeding or sodding a lawn can help to significantly ...
Apply H2O Excel In Late Fall To Protect Against Winter Desiccation
Winter desiccation, also known as winter burn, is a common type of winter injury that occurs in vegetation when the amount of water lost by chilly winter winds exceeds the amount of water the plant can draw up through the frozen soil. The results are slow-to-green lawns or dead patches, perennial plants that are slow to emerge in spring, and browning/yellowing leaves and needles in evergreens and broad leaf trees. However, winter desiccation can be deterred by maintaining proper vegetation precipitation during the late fall and early winter months and by using natural water conservation agent and soil amendment H2OExcel from Brookside Agra. One of the primary ways to deter winter desiccation is to provide adequate water and nutrients to vegetation for as long as the ground is not frozen. Experts suggest one inch per week of water or saturation to a depth of 12-18 inches. H2OExcel can help to reduce soil surface tension and allow hardened soils to absorb water and nutrients 3-5 times faster. Made from a proprietary blend of desert plant extracts, H2OExcel will not harm plants, animals, or humans. It has been proven to boost plant strength and yield, as well as increase root mass and length, all while using less water and fertilizer. “Increasing any plant’s winter hardiness should include a good nutrient upload going into dormancy. H2OExcel can help to increase the amount of plant-available forms of nutrients that are delivered to vegetation prior to winter dormancy. In addition to reducing water surface tension, ...
