Benefits of organic nutrients in turf grasses:
The main goal of organic fertilizers is to feed the soil, which in turn, feeds the plant. This means creating an environment where naturally occurring beneficial bacteria and fungi can thrive. Our nutrient programs bolster the symbiotic relationship these microbes have shared with the vast majority of terrestrial plant species for ages. Maintaining a healthy microbiological environment is important, here is why.
1.) Beneficial microbes are a key component of organic material’s decomposition process. These microbes help recycle nutrients and decomposing plant matter back into the soil. The recycled nutrients and plant matter feed the plant, making your grass green and healthy. In addition to feeding the plant it reduces thatch buildup and helps prevent harmful anaerobic soil conditions caused by soil compaction by encouraging natural aeration of the soil.
2.) Good Microbes help prevent soil compaction, increase soil’s water retention, and as a result of increased soil aeration, promote a healthier overall root zone. Your grass is able to build a stronger, sturdier root structure, which improves drought resistance and helps the grass crowd out weeds. These microbes exist in both conventional and organic nutrient regimens but are more prevalent in soils that are organically fertilized.
“How can more fungi and bacteria in my soil possibly be a good thing?” There are two main types of bacteria and fungi, Aerobic and Anaerobic. Beneficial fungi and bacteria are Aerobic, meaning they operate in the presence of oxygen, which roots also need to be healthy.
However, anaerobic fungi, which operate in the absence of oxygen, are bad for plant growth. Plants may ‘breathe’ carbon dioxide with their above ground tissues, but their roots need oxygen to be present in the soil to best perform photosynthesis and keep away harmful fungi such as Pythium, commonly referred to as ‘root rot’, from destroying their root systems.
3.) Over time, water retention is increased, reducing heat stress and water use in the summer months. Beneficial fungi help aerate the soil and improve its general structure due to the way they propagate as long thin strands called ‘Hyphae’. These structures push their way through the soil and break down compacted soil particles, recycling nutrients, as well as suppressing diseases to the plant along the way.
Naturally occurring beneficial fungi not only play an important role in preventing harmful soil pathogens, such as root rot, they increase the soil’s water holding capacity. This makes water and nutrients more available to the root zone during the summer months, which reduces heat stress and the infiltration of weeds.
4.) Organic nutrients can help reduce the prevalence of weeds. Weeds tend to favor soils where grass cannot develop an extensive root system due to oxygen deprivation, lack of water, and low microbiological activity. This is partly to do with the differences in their root systems. Grasses have fibrous root systems that, when healthy can help choke out weeds because they spread out in many directions. Weeds typically have a tap root system, which originates from a central location and grows straight down. This is why they can be very difficult to pull. The tap root system is very effective when it comes to finding water deep below the surface. Grasses with thick root systems make it more difficult for weeds to germinate, but not impossible.
5.) Consistent plant growth in a variety of situations:
A common issue we see every season on chemically fertilized lawns is the explosive, and stressful growth rate of grass during times of heavy rainfall, particularly in the spring.
This is a common occurrence with chemical fertilizers, no matter the quality. The reason for this is because chemical based fertilizers don’t utilize the soil’s naturally occurring microbes to feed the grass as organic fertilizers do. As a result, they must be water soluble in order to feed the plant. Some more expensive chemical fertilizers do have a limited means of releasing nutrients over a more extended period of time, but the process by which they feed plants still relies on water solubility. This is an issue for a few reasons:
1.) Since they are water soluble, these nutrients get absorbed by the grass very quickly causing unnatural growth spurts that wouldn’t otherwise occur in nature.
2.) They are made of salts which, over time, can be detrimental to the soil’s microbiological activity in a similar way as pouring salt on a slug.
3.) Once the soil becomes saturated with water in a rainfall, the water runs off into sewers and streams flushing them away with the rain. This costs you money and harms the environment at the same time.
4.) Soil can be more easily compacted as a result of “dead” soils with low microbiological activity, which necessitates more aerating to correct the issue.
5.) Because of the need to water more often due to less water retention, and the fact that the nutrient salts are water soluble, grass doesn’t have to work very hard to seek out water or to obtain nutrition. As a result, root systems can be shallower and less extensive. This can make the plant more susceptible to environmental stresses such as drought. It also reduces root zone competition making it easier for weeds to propagate.
6.) Why do so many companies use chemical based fertilizers? Cost and added revenue streams are the primary reasons. Chemical based fertilizers are cheaper and easier to use and they provide an opportunity to sell added services such as added mowings or charges for double cutting in the rainy season due to the grass’s higher growth rate, yearly aeration due to the higher levels of soil compaction and added soil treatments to make up for any nutrient shortfalls.
Our customers have the healthiest and most beautiful lawns in their neighborhoods, all without breaking the bank. Call us today for a free grounds evaluation and maintenance bid.