Lawn maintenance: there are so many things to consider! When keeping up your lawn maintenance, it's always handy to keep your soil's ph levels in check. With this guide, lawn maintenance is only a TruGreen call away!

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A GUIDE TO LAWN MAINTENANCE
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR SOIL’S pH LEVELS

2. SOIL pH
A measure of acidity and alkalinity in soils. Depending on the types of soil and plants, an ideal range for lawn maintenance is usually between 5.5 and 7.0.
<3.5 – 6.5 6.6 - 7.3 7.4 - >9.0
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
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3. IS MY SOIL TOO ACIDIC?
High-acid soils tend to be in places with more rainfall.
In acidic soil, nutrients are absorbed too fast and plants are overloaded, potentially leading to their death.
Lime is applied to soil to raise its pH.

4. IS MY SOIL TOO ALKALINE?
Alkaline soil can occur naturally in drier areas or can often be found near construction, especially around building foundation.
When soil is too alkaline, plants can have difficulty absorbing iron.
Sulphur is applied in order to lower soil pH.

5. SIGNS OF UNBALANCED pH LEVELS: LAWNS
If your lawn’s soil pH is off, you might notice it in your lawn.
Moss and Algae:
•Greenish or brown growth on soil surface.
•Can turn into tough crust that makes it difficult for turfgrass to grow.
•Highly acidic soil, along with other factors like excessive shade, poor soil drainage, and thin and weak turf help moss and algae thrive.
Iron Chlorosis:
•Yellowing of leaf blades
•Can be caused by high-alkaline soil that makes iron unavailable to plants.

6. SIGNS OF UNBALANCED pH LEVELS: TREES & SHRUBS
The most common effects of having the wrong pH are micronutrient deficiencies. These usually occur in high-alkaline soil.
Iron Deficiency:
•Leaves start browning around edges.
•New leaves turn yellow with green veins.
•New growth stunted.
Manganese Deficiency:
•New leaves are yellow with green bands along veins.
•Browning of the veins occurs.
•Palms develop small leaves, “frizzle top”.
Magnesium Deficiency:
•Thin, brittle leaves.
•Leaf browning.
•Early leaf drop.

7. BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Did you know? There’s a great deal of science behind balancing your lawn’s soil pH. Here’s why hiring professionals is great for lawn maintenance:
•Professionals can determine which nutrients your grass needs most to reach it’s full potential.
•Your lawn will be analyzed to determine exactly what it needs at exactly the right time- taking into consideration your type of grass, soil conditions and climate.
•After lawn analysis, TruGreen professionals will be able to determine just how much your soil’s pH needs to change in order to be optimal for plant growth.
•Professionals have the knowledge and expertise to identify other lawn threats that may require special lawn treatment, such as lawn damaging insects and disease.
•Professionals are trained to identify ways in which you can be pro- active in prevention and protect your lawn from harm before it happens.

8. For info on what else you can expect from the TruComplete plan in addition to lawn analysis and balancing your soil, check out this video.

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For more info on what TruGreen, America’s #1 lawn care company, can do for your lawn, visit TruGreen.com or call 866.688.6722 to start working with a PhD-certified specialist today!
Find out more about TruGreen’s TruComplete℠ lawn plan, which includes the sulphur soil amendment for balancing pH.