| A basic understanding of soils allows the
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| | specific site. Regular aeration, vertical
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| gardener to work with natural processes
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| | mowing, top dressing with compost or rich
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| to enhance plant root growth and overall
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| | soil, proper fertility management and
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| vigor.Soil is an amazingly complex,
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| | applications of foliar and soil
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| living ecosystem requiring a balance of
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| | biostimulants are all proven techniques
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| organic, inorganic, living and nonliving
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| | for rejuvenating a poor lawn.A properly
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| components. Recent soil science research
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| | balanced soil will support deep,
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| has demonstrated that the most productive
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| | extensive root systems, allowing plants
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| soils are loaded with a variety of
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| | to assimilate all available food and
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| microbial life; beneficial fungi,
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| | moisture. The result is a thick turf
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| bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms
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| | which resists drought, weeds and
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| work to decompose organic matter into
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| | disease.For basic physical soil analysis,
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| humus. Humus directly influences both the
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| | use a soil probe or large, strong knife
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| assimilation of nutrients and plant
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| | to cut samples at least six inches deep.
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| resistance to disease, insects, drought
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| | Examine for thatch layer thickness,
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| and other stresses.Physically, soil
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| | particle size and distribution,
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| should be composed of fifty percent
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| | compaction and topsoil depth. A minimum
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| solids and twenty five percent each of
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| | of six inches of properly balanced soil
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| liquid and air, with an organic matter
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| | is required to grow a healthy lawn. A
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| content of three to five percent. This
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| | thatch layer thicker than one-half inch
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| side of Iowa, the "ideal" soil is seldom
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| | will act like a sponge to limit the
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| found in the native habitat. In many
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| | penetration of water and nutrients to the
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| regions of the country, we are required
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| | root system.If necessary, consult with a
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| to amend the soil to provide the optimal
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| | qualified landscape professional for help
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| growth environment.The various
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| | with soil testing. Basic chemical soil
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| fine-particle clays and silts of benefit
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| | tests (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
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| greatly from the addition of organic
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| | and pH) can be handled through the county
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| matter. Alkaline clays (high pH) should
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| | extension service. For very thorough soil
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| also be amended with gypsum. The addition
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| | analysis with written interpretation and
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| of organic matter to sandy and gravely
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| | recommendations, contact Integrated
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| soils is also beneficial, increasing
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| | Fertility Management at (800)
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| water retention and providing essential
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| | 332-3179.What occurs below ground,
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| nutrients. Initial expense for organic
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| | unseen, largely determines what we see
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| matter and other amendments pays for the
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| | above ground. The knowledge of basic soil
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| continued beauty and health of the
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| | conditions is essential to proper
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| planting.New lawn installations should
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| | cultural decisions and practices. Again,
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| start with basic soil considerations;
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| | healthy soil grows healthy plants.Visit
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| physical and chemical soil analyses may
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| | Our Website for Interactive Landscape
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| be desired. Marginal soil conditions in
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| | Design Online, Earth-Friendly Garden
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| existing lawns can be improved with
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| | Products and Free Landscaping Tips for
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| cultural programs designed for the
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| | the Do-It-Yourself Homeowner.
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