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Rather
than taking a kill, kill, kill approach to weeds, at Natrulawn
we look at weeds
and what
they tell us about the soil the grass
is growing in. For example many weeds thrive when the
soil is compacted or due to excesses and deficiencies in
the soil. Ideally,
grass thrives within a ph of 6.3 to 6.8. Many common weeds
cannot thrive in this ph range, so by
simply altering the ph of the soil weed
problems are reduced. All weeds grow in a limited
window of
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permissible
soil conditions, once these conditions are
corrected you will grow healthy,
lush,
grass not weeds. When observing a lawn that has declined to the point of weed infestation,
many lawn care companies will tell you that weeds have caused the
problem. Actually, poor soil health is the cause. Soil that has improper
pH, high sodium, low calcium or other imbalances will cause grass
great difficulty in utilising nutrients, which results in poor root
and blade development. A lawn overrun with weeds is symptomatic of
deeper issues. The root cause of the grass decline should be investigated.
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Increased microbial
and bacterial activity in the
soil promotes the breakdown of thatch,
which reduces disease
and promotes new growth. Natrulawn’s proprietary
organic and natural
fertilisers work with nature by feeding
and
enhancing
the microbiology
in the
soil, enhancing the symbiotic relationship
of plant,
soil and micro-organisms. By optimising the soil condition
we encourage the maximum contribution from nature.
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There are millions of micro organisms that live
in the soil. The multitude of fertility and maintenance tasks these
micro organisms perform is complex and crucial to the health of
the soil. These organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, springtails,
protozoa and earthworms, to name but a few, play an essential role
in what is known as the soil food web. Worms and micro organisms present in healthy
soil will feed on grass clippings, thatch and other organic matter.
They in turn release nutrients and beneficial bacteria back into
the soil. This is all part of the decay and renewal process which
is vital for maintaining healthy soil and healthy lawns.
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In the long term synthetic
chemical fertilisers
are
actually detrimental to grass and
soil health. Synthetic chemical inputs temporarily
control your lawn and fertility is unnaturally enhanced
for a short
period of time, however, overall soil health and fertility
declines season after season. By accelerating the grass sward
the grass plant is working flat out, producing
green blade growth
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concurrent root development, thus the roots become shallow
and the plant
becomes weak. Short
roots cause your lawn to yellow in the summer heat as the top
layer of soil dries off. Because the underdeveloped roots can't
properly store and use the needed nutrients, weeds can gain
a foothold and diseases can spread.
Ultimately the soil becomes sterile and void of beneficial
microbes, bacteria and earthworms. With no natural source of
nutrients, the grass plants become too thin to compete with
weeds and the grass becomes chemically dependent. The need
for yet more herbicide and synthetic chemical fertiliser input
is inevitable. Chemical fertilisers, fungicides, insecticides
and herbicides treat symptoms in isolation with no concern
for the negative
impact they have on the plant and soil micro organisms, or
the environment. This is a amateur’s solution that doesn't
address the underlying cause of the problem. Using synthetic chemical herbicides,
high analysis synthetic nitrogen rich fertiliser’s,
synthetic chemical grub and worm control, offered by the
industry standard chemical lawn
care services, has a negative effect on the microbiology in
the soil. Over time the microbial life in the soil dies off,
the soil becomes deficient in vital nutrients, which are the
key to growing healthy grass plants the natural decay and renewal
process is no longer functioning, the soil becomes compacted
and the thatch layer increases. back
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