leaching occurs when rainfall or irrigation water flushes substances and nutrients through soil. Leaching is primarily performed to remove the buildup of harmful nutrients, including salt. After leaching, it's important to fertilize your lawn with nutrients that promote growth, such as nitrogen. This can be done by applying high quality lawn f [..]

the essential plant nutrients needed in small quantities, also known as trace elements. Micronutrients such as iron, manganese and zinc often become unavailable in high-pH soil, and nutrient deficiencies result. See also: nutrient deficiency.

A

the state when a substance, such as soil, measures between 0.0 and 7.0 on the pH scale, where 0.0 is the most acidic. When soil is too acidic, many plants can't thrive. Soil amendments

the state when a substance, such as soil, measures between 7.0 and 14.0 on the pH scale, where 14.0 is the most alkaline. Many plants suffer nutrient deficiencies in high-alkaline soil. Amendments

a substance added on or incorporated into soil

a plant that naturally completes its life cycle within one year. Annuals grow from seed, flower, produce seed and then die — from root to tip — each year, regardless of climate. Some annuals self-seed and new plants grow from the seeds the next year. See also: biennial, perennial. B

a plant that takes two years to complete its natural life cycle. The first year, it starts from seed and grows leaves only. The second year, it grows larger and flowers, sets seed, and then dies. Biennials often establish a cycle of self-sowing that gives the illusion of longer life. See also: annual, perennial. blight

 this term invites an obvious question: Is there an incomplete fertilizer? The answer is yes. Complete fertilizers contain all of these major nutrients required for turf growth: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and possibly various minor nutrients. But, at times, a single-ingredient fertilizer, such as Ironite® Plus Lawn & Plant Food

the soil-like substance formed when organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings and vegetable scraps, decompose.