Is your home lacking some curb-appeal that could be improved by adding a splash of green? While we would typically recommend planting a garden, some homeowners prefer the manicured look of a lush green lawn. If you have not heard about the benefits of humic acid for lawns, keep reading as we go over how this natural amendment can ensure the grass is greener on your side of the fence.
What Makes a Lawn Healthy?
While many homeowners will happily keep up with regular maintenance by cutting and watering their lawns, they likely are not thinking much about other factors that can negatively impact the grass. Weather changes like frost or drought and damage done by kids and pets, can turn this regular maintenance into a time-consuming chore. Most don’t think beyond the surface of the grass and ignore the potential of using a quality soil conditioner for lawns that can help keep them green and thriving.
As with anything that grows, the key to keeping grass healthy lies below the surface - and depends on the array of organisms found in the soil. If you want your lawn to be lush and green, treating the soil it grows in will give you the best possible chance for success.
Before heading out to pick up a popular summer lawn fertilizer, it is essential to understand the risks of using synthetic chemicals, even just for grass-growing. While some dangers are apparent, such as the health risk that chemicals can pose to children and pets who play in the grass, other harmful effects may not immediately cross your mind. Chemical inputs can harm growth over time - as grass becomes dependent on them and requires more frequent applications.
Because these chemical inputs typically have high levels of specific nutrients, they can cause an imbalance in the soil, resulting in plant roots no longer being able to uptake the nutrients as the soil becomes oversaturated. This can cause chemicals to get washed away with rain and irrigation, leaching into surrounding waterways. An imbalance in your lawn soil’s pH levels can also lead to an influx of weeds or grass that appears yellow instead of green.
While maintaining a manicured lawn isn’t typically synonymous with sustainability, ensuring that the soil is healthy allows you to enjoy this luxury with the added peace of mind of knowing you are not engaging in practices that compromise the environment's health (or your own).
Humic Acid for Lawns
While the name may raise some eyebrows at the mention of the word “acid”, this safe and entirely natural substance is already present in the soil. It is created through the natural breakdown and decay of plant and animal matter over a long period of time. While not all humic acid is derived from the same sources, they all have a similar effect on the soil by adding structure that benefits the soil in various ways.
Our Humic Acid products derived from peat have the added benefit of being sustainably sourced and produced without heating or chemical fillers. This process of cavitation and find grinding not only keeps the microbial life in the product intact but results in a product that is also high in organic matter and will benefit your soil from the very first application.
The increase in soil structure will allow the soil to hold more water, which is especially beneficial if you have watering restrictions in your area - this will reduce the amount of water your lawn will need in general. Improved structure and aeration in the soil will encourage soil microbes to thrive and engage in symbiotic relationships with the grass roots, improving nutrient uptake and overall health of the grass (as well as any other trees and shrubs that may be growing on your property).
Conservation Meets Convenience
While adding another step and extra expense to your lawn maintenance may not excite you, humic acid is extremely easy to use and very affordable, as a little bit goes a long way. Whether tending to a small patch of grass or a more extensive suburban lawn - you can easily add humic acid to your regular watering routine as it is entirely water-soluble. It can also run directly through your irrigation system for larger properties without clogging.
Because humic acid benefits all types of soil and vegetation, you may find yourself with more than just green grass as a result. Shrubs, trees, and other perennials will show signs of new growth and increased vigor. Your lawn will be more resistant to environmental stress, pest problems, and disease.
Humic acid can be applied at the beginning of the growing season and again every 3-4 weeks or so for a total of 3-4 applications. Another final application before the first frost will help to protect your grass over winter.
You do not need to worry about applying too much - overapplication will not harm the soil or vegetation. However, just a small amount is enough to reap the benefits - so there is no need to over-use it as that would be wasteful.
A Start Toward Sustainability
Once you see how easy humic acid is to use and the results it can bring to your lawn, you may be tempted to start cultivating a green thumb. Consider adding some perennials or some native flowers to attract pollinators. Carve out a small space in your front or backyard for a few herbs or vegetables - all of which will surely benefit from the healthier soil.
The best part about using natural soil amendments for lawn maintenance is being able to reap the benefits they bring while knowing that you are not causing any harm or long-term damage to the environment - and that peace of mind alone is worth the switch to more sustainable options.
For a small property below 2 acres, check out Kaytonik™ - a blend of humic and fulvic acid that can also be used on houseplants to boost their health and reduce their watering needs.
If you are tending to a much larger span of turf, contact us for more information about Humic Land™, which may be better suited to your needs.
