Soil & Feeding
Lime for Northern Lawns: When and How Much
Lime fixes acid soil. It doesn't fix every thin lawn. How to tell if your lawn needs it, calcitic vs. dolomitic, how much to put down at once, and why fall is…
Soil & Feeding
6 articles
Soil & Feeding
Fall Soil Testing: Why Now Beats Spring
A soil test is the cheapest way to stop guessing on lime and fertilizer. Why fall is the best time to test, how to take a good sample, and what to do…
Soil & Feeding
pH Management for Northern Lawns: Lime, Sulfur, and Long-Term Strategy
pH affects every nutrient your grass can or cannot access. Many northern soils run acidic, so lime is often needed (some, especially in the Plains and mountain West, run alkaline, so test…
Soil & Feeding
How to Read and Act on a Professional Soil Test Report for Your Lawn
Most homeowners fertilize blind. A professional soil test from a lab like the University of Illinois or a private service removes the guesswork and saves money while protecting the environment. Follow the…
Soil & Feeding
Compost Topdressing: Rates, Timing, and Benefits for Clay Soils
Topdressing with compost is one of the best things you can do for the heavy clay soils so many northern yards sit on. It improves structure, adds biology, and slowly builds thatch…
Soil & Feeding
Building a Professional-Grade Fertility Program for Home Lawns: The Spoon-Feeding Method
Most homeowners fertilize too much, too little, or at the wrong times. On golf courses we apply nitrogen in small, frequent doses timed to growth cycles. This is called spoon-feeding, and it…