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The founding theory of the Select Program is that “Healthy Soil creates a Healthy Lawn”. But what is “healthy soil”? Let’s look at the factors that go into producing a healthy soil that benefits your grass and lets nature feed and protect your lawn. Note: The science of soil chemistry and makeup is complex. This is a very simple overview of the process. ORGANIC MATTER: THE RAW MATERIAL A compost pile shows the transformation of raw organic material into dark rich soil. A compost pile shows the transformation of raw organic material into dark rich soil. Organic matter is the raw material of good soil structure: grass clippings, leaf clippings, twigs, things that have died (plant or animal); essentially whatever is laying on top of the soil that isn’t alive but once was. It’s also anything that’s died below ground: plant roots, microorganisms, animals and insects. When you consider that … Continued

The founding theory of the Select Program is that “Healthy Soil creates a Healthy Lawn”. But what is “healthy soil”? Let’s look at the factors that go into producing a healthy soil that benefits your grass and lets nature feed and protect your lawn. EARTHWORMS: NATURE’S AERATORS One of the first things you’ll notice if you dig in healthy soil is that is full of living things: beetles, sowbugs, ants, centipedes, grubs and other small animals populate the soil. In a healthy acre of land it is estimated the weight of the organisms in the top 6” of soil is between 2500 and 5000 pounds! The most iconic and important of these soil-dwellers may be earthworms. Earthworms perform multiple functions that enrich and improve the soil. Their feeding activity pulls dead organic material from the soil surface into the soil. They also ingest soil particles that are used to grind … Continued

The founding theory of the Select Program is that “Healthy Soil creates a Healthy Lawn”. But what is “healthy soil”? Let’s look at the factors that go into producing a healthy soil that benefits your grass and lets nature feed and protect your lawn. MICROORGANISMS: A WORLD BENEATH YOUR FEET! Healthy soil is alive. It has distinct properties that are plain even without lab tests. It is dark in color, crumbly in texture, and smells pleasant and “earthy”. If your soil does not have these three characteristics, it is probably not as healthy as it can be. The most important and least appreciated aspect of healthy, living soil are the microorganisms in it. The bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa, and nematodes that live in the soil are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye. Invisible or not, they are present in astonishing numbers-a teaspoon of soil contains more microorganisms than … Continued

Everyone at Nature’s Select congratulates Fred Crater, the Winner of the Dash Team & Stadium contest of our “One Year Free Lawn Care Program”. Nature’s Select has been a proud sponsor of the Dash since its inception.

Tired of looking out over a patchy, weedy, not-very-green lawn all winter? Dreading the thought of looking at the same problems all summer too? The key to a great lawn in summer is to start on lawn care now before grass growth begins with warmer weather. A soil test is the best way to get started. It’s a good idea to test the soil at least every two or three years for established lawns. You can find basic home soil testing kits at many garden centers that will tell you pH (how acidic your soil is). If you suspect nutrient imbalances, more advanced testing can reveal specific nutrient deficiencies or excesses. Ask at your local garden center or check your local county extension office for information on testing services, many are free or low-cost and come with recommendations for correcting any problems discovered. Most soils in the Piedmont are acidic, … Continued