(ARA) - Great gardeners know that
the key to lush green lawns and
spectacular gardens is to go underground.
"If we spent a fraction of our
gardening time caring for the
underground soil,we'd spend a lot less
time working on our lawns and gardens
above the ground," says soil remediation
scientist, Bob Richardson.
The ground does rule and ultimately
determine the beauty of our outdoor
landscapes.You can fertilize,water, buy
superior seeds, plants, and products, but
your lawn and garden will never have
that envied "golf course" look until you
begin at the beginning and fortify the
soil.
"You might be doing everything else
right, but bad soil will wreak havoc on
all of your efforts." says Richardson.
One of the most common solutions
for good, healthy soil is aeration. "Most
of us know what aeration is, but don't
do it," says Richardson. "Old-fashioned
aeration is back breaking work and no
one wants to spend the time, money or
energy to do it."
Ground Rules for Healthy Soil
Richardson offers the following
"ground rules" for healthy soil that will
enable you to create that golf course look
we all envy and long for:
1. Dig It. Try digging a small patch of
earth with a trowel. If the tool does
not penetrate the ground easily, the
soil is compacted. Compaction is
caused by the retention of salt, which
strips the soil of beneficial, essential
nutrients. Healthy soil is loose like
cake mix.
2. Pull It. If you pull up a small patch
of grass and the roots come up easily,
your soil's in trouble. Healthy soil
allows roots to penetrate down deep
into the ground and hold on tightly.
A storage "pantry" is created
underground allowing the roots to
easily draw water, nutrients and
vitamins on demand.
3. Test It. Do the "Earthworm Test."
Dig up a scoop of earth; if you don't
see any worms, your soil needs help.
Healthy soil is full of earthworms,
bugs and other beneficial organisms
that work the soil and deliver water
and food to plants.
4. Work It. Work with Mother Nature.
Use products like LazyMan Liquid Soil
Aerator monthly until poor soil is
restored.Then use it regularly in
spring and fall to maintain healthy
soil.
"Now there's no reason not to aerate
and create a lawn and garden that is the
envy of the neighborhood without any of
the hard work," says Richardson. "This
season sit back, relax, and just spray on
beautiful lawns and gardens.And
remember, the 'ground rules' the health
and beauty of your lawn and garden."
For a detailed analysis of your soil, call
your local Agricultural Extension agent.
For tips, advice and products to help you
maintain healthy soil, visit
www.OutsidePride.com, or call (877)
255-8470. From serious do-it yourself
landscapers to the novice homeowner,
you'll find a wide variety of garden
products that are easy to use and provide
substantial, proven results.