Common Issues

The pH level of soil is a key factor in the health of your lawn. If soil is too acidic or too alkaline, your grass will not absorb nutrients or grow verdantly. pH is measured on a scale of 0-14 with a pH of 7 being neutral, 0-7 acidic and 7-14 alkaline. pH for your lawn should ideally be 6.5. You can purchase a simple and inexpensive pH testing kit from your local nursey or garden shop.

My Soil is too Acidic - How do I Raise my pH levels?
Lime is a common method of raising soil pH and decreasing acidity but always read the directions on the packet. Another alternative is using wood ash as an organic option to raise pH over the long-term.

My Soil is too Alkaline – How do I Lower my pH Levels?
There are a number of options for decreasing the pH of your soil to support a healthy lawn. Firstly, Sulfur is the easiest method as its cheap and safe. An organic solution is to use Sphagnum Peat which has the added benefit of adding organic matter to your soil and increases water retention. Acidifying fertilizer containing ammonia or urea can also have an acidifying effect over time. Finally, mulches and compost tend to make soil more acidic as they break down and regular use will bring the soil pH closer to the desired neutral to slightly acidic level over time.