Lawn care can be complicated. People tend to downplay what’s involved, but good turf care involves a combination of both biology and soil chemistry! A healthy lawn boils down to knowing about soil microorganisms and nutrients and so much more.
Truly understanding what’s going on with your lawn takes experience and knowledge. That’s why it’s important to work with science-based lawn care, where decisions are calculated and strategic.
In this article, we’ll talk more about the benefits of using lawn care that is backed by science.
Jump to:
What is Science-Based Lawn Care?
Benefits of Science-Based, Ecological Lawn Care
Soil Health and Lawn Success in New England
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Lawn Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
What is Science-Based Lawn Care?
Science-based lawn care is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of just making guesses about what your lawn needs, the decisions are rooted in science with attention being paid to details like soil health.
Take fertilization as an example.
While a lot of companies just come out and apply the same amount of fertilizer to every lawn, at Seacoast Turf Care, we are using lawn soil testing and knowledge of the soil in our region to make educated decisions about what and how much to apply to your lawn.
The success of any fertilization program comes down to applying the balanced nutrients that your lawn needs when it needs them. This also includes a customized winterization treatment based on a soil analysis.
Too often, companies are just dumping fertilizer down and hoping for the best. But we’re making expertly calculated application decisions. In other words, we’re not just guessing.
This is also where using a professional, science-backed program is different from DIY lawn care. When you’re grabbing bags of fertilizer on your own, you probably aren’t entirely clear on exactly what your lawn needs. Thanks to products being nationally-distributed to big box stores, the application instructions on the bag are great for a “standard” lawn, but might not fit where YOUR lawn is or what it needs. That can have a direct impact on your results.
At the end of the day, making data-driven decisions with information from soil testing and seasonal changes is the best way to get superior results.
Benefits of Science-Based, Ecological Lawn Care
Science-based lawn care is also ecological lawn care. That’s because when data-driven decisions are made in lawn care, it can lead to more eco-conscious choices. It’s about working with nature, not against it.
Let’s talk more about some of these benefits.
- Safer for kids, pets, and pollinators. When decisions are made based on what the lawn actually needs, it keeps kids, pets, and pollinators safer too.Your lawn care technician won’t be overapplying but will instead be making strategic decisions based on what your lawn actually needs for optimal health. In addition, at Seacoast Turf Care, we make a conscious decision to use pollinator-safe products that are backed by science.
- Long-term soil health and overall improvements. Science-backed, ecological lawn care also means long-term improvement to soil health and an overall healthy lawn. A huge contributor to this is healthy activity with soil microorganisms. For Southern NH, ME, and MA, we promote biologically active soil through balanced lawn fertilization to provide balanced nutrition.
- Better results. At the end of the day, all of this adds up to better results as well. If your goal is to have a great-looking lawn, then it’s important that you invest in the best lawn care services. That means working with a company that will help set you up for success.
Soil Health and Lawn Success in New England
When it comes to achieving amazing lawn care results, the true key to success lies beneath the surface. In other words, in order to have a healthy lawn, you need to have healthy soil.
While this is a scientific fact, it’s still not something that every lawn care company pays attention to. Not all lawn care services put thought into improving lawn soil health. Many companies are focused on quick-fix solutions that might look like they’re delivering.
But soil health is a longer term process that takes time and effort. In many cases, it’s why some lawn care companies get great results for the long term while others eventually fall short.
New England lawn soils tend to be highly acidic, which can be a reason for some homeowners’ lawn woes. If you remember back to chemistry in school, pH is a way to measure the amount of acidity or alkalinity that is present. Soil, at its midpoint, has a pH of 7. This is neutral territory, meaning it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Extreme acidity is at the low end of the scale while extreme alkalinity is at the high end.
The problem is when the soil falls too far into the acidic category, it can alter the chemistry and struggle with nutrient uptake. This can lead to deficiencies that cause your grass plants to struggle.
You can find out your soil pH with soil testing, a service that is often offered by lawn care professionals. Once you know the pH, you can take steps to make corrections as needed.
Soil testing will also provide valuable information about what soil nutrients are needed. This is all part of making data-driven decisions that help promote a healthy lawn.
As we’ve mentioned, we also use lawn fertilization products that help provide both soil nutrients and additional soil microorganisms. Balanced nutritional fertilizer with both macro and micronutrients will help your lawn to grow naturally healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap things up, let’s circle back to some of the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
What does "science-based lawn care" actually mean?
Science-based lawn care is data-driven lawn care in which decisions are made based on soil testing and a seasonal and regional understanding of soil health, as opposed to just taking a uniform approach to lawn care regardless of underlying factors.
Is science-backed lawn care really effective in New England's climate?
Yes, you can have an effective lawn care program for New England’s climate when you use a mix of organic lawn care products and traditional lawn care practices within a program backed by science and dictated by the needs of the soil and grass. One of the biggest keys is having a little bit of patience. It’s a matter of not always looking for the “quick fix,” but about doing what’s best for a healthy lawn.
Are science-based lawn treatments safe for kids and pets?
Yes, science-based lawn care is safe for kids and pets, particularly since it involves only applying what is actually needed to your lawn.
At Seacoast Turf Care, we use science-backed products in our programs as well.
This includes the use of kid and pet safe products. We only use products continuously and thoroughly tested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The key, of course, is that these products are applied properly.
How do I know if my soil is healthy?
Generally, you’ll know that you have strong soil health if you have a healthy lawn. That means one that is green, thick, and drains well. On the flip side, some of the signs of unhealthy soil include a lawn that is thin, yellow, brown, or water-logged.
Choosing Lawn Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
You have plenty of choices when it comes to finding lawn care. But it makes sense to choose a lawn care provider that focuses on science-based approaches. You might be surprised to learn that this is not the norm. Many companies opt for the quick fixes that are cheap and easy.
But at Seacoast Turf Care, we’re using a scientifically backed lawn care program that looks at what’s going on beneath the surface. Our investment in the health of your lawn’s soil will pay off for you in the long run.
You’ll start to see greener, thicker grass over time. Don’t let amazing lawn care results escape your grass. With your focus in the right place, you’ll finally get the amazing lawn you’ve been craving.
Want to learn more about what makes us a great choice for your lawn care needs? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get lawn care pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Ready to get the lawn you've been wishing for?
