Page 32 - Discover Summer 2022
P. 32
Weeder’s Digest CONTINUED
W eeder ’ s Digest CONTINUED
have moss growing on the ground you have this done professionally for
where you are trying to grow grass, accuracy. The Virginia Cooperative
you'll be fighting an up hill battle for Extension is a great resource, and
grass to establish there. Moss thrives the minimal cost is but pennies when
in shady locations, and grass does compared to the cost of maintaining a
not. In that case, it’s best to seek healthy lawn.
a different ground cover. On a side • Another factor aside from our native
note, the height at which you cut soil PH levels is how compacted it
your grass will help to determine the tends to be. In order to make the
length to which your roots will grow. ground more conducive for grass
If you cut it short, your roots will be roots to achieve maximum depth
shallow. This will lessen the plant’s for plant strength, you will want to
ability for nutrient uptake, so keep aerate on a consistent basis. The use
your blade height at 3" or higher.
of a core aerator, which lifts out a
• Perhaps the most important factor plug, is best, as a spike aerator simply
of all is the PH of your soil. The soil mashes the soil to re-envelope the
in our region typically is made up of same space. When you core aerate, it
red clay, which can average about 5.5 allows the soil to stretch and breathe,
to 5.8 on the PH scale. In order for and this allows the roots to achieve
grass to effectively up take nutrients, optimal depth more easily.
you’ll need to raise the PH level to • Lastly, once the above factors have
about 6.5 to 6.8 with the use of lime. been adequately addressed, remember
Pelletized lime is preferred, for ease that grass does respond well to
of application as well as efficiency. fertilizer. Depending on how much
Because lime comes in different you like to mow, and how much you
formulations, be sure to take note of like to spend, all plants, shrubs, trees,
square footage coverage and the time and grass will respond well to proper
that each individual option takes to fertilization. You will no doubt be
affect the soils chemistry. The best gratified if you give them the proper
place to start is by taking a soil test. amount. A fall application is best, as
The results will help you to know it is stored in the plants’ roots for
what you'll have to do, and potentially the spring growth resurgence. A mid-
how long it will take to achieve the spring kicker can only add to your
“goldielocks” zone. I recommend that
mowing enjoyment.
30 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SUMMER 2022
