Westford Water Conservation
Roots and Soil
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All About Roots
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Over-watering is bad! It promotes shorter root depth
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Soil compaction (excessive pressure on the soil causes densification as air goes in between the soil grains) can occur due to overwatering as well
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Close mowing also does not promote root depth
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Avoid excess Nitrogen fertilization as it promotes leaf growth and reduces root depth
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Minimize herbicide use as it impacts your roots - Click here to Learn about Using Pre-emergent Herbicides
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The deeper your grassroots are, the more they will be able to withstand environmental stress such as drought
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Deep root grass increases the soils capability to hold water and nutrients - therefore decreasing the need for irrigation
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Acidic soil can inhibit root growth
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Excessive Thatch (living and dead plant matter growing around the grass)
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Not enough or poor quality topsoil
Get to the Root
SOIL
Sandy Soils
Heavy Soils
Compacted Soils
Compacted soils tend to have more run-off and less water entering the soils surface. This makes them less deal for a healthy lawn.
Sandy soils tend to hold less water. They cannot keep a consistent moisture for the grass to flourish. This makes them less ideal for a healthy lawn.
Heavier soils (containing organic material) hold water consistently. They require less fertilizer and less irrigation. Therefore, making this soil type ideal for a healthy lawn
More on Water and Roots
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Increase soil infiltration when low (ways to do that: reduced tillage, avoid soil compaction, crop rotation, and keeping the soil covered with residue and cover crops)
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Low soil infiltration caused by: soil compaction, thatch, hydrophobic soils
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Irrigate using short cycles (instead of applying all at once)
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Water during calm periods for uniform application