grass seed selection

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 ...