Orders placed after Dec 21, will ship starting on Jan 4. This involves adding a thin layer of soil over the lawn. Posted July 20, 2017. Buy in bags or have a truckload delivered and thinly spread over the existing lawn, making sure the mixture penetrates the soil and … When it comes to growing and maintaining a thriving landscape, homeowners have a lot of options. Top it up with pure topsoil, until you reach the desired height. The next step to improving soil quality is core aeration, which involves removing plugs of soil from your lawn. Digging and forking through the soil allows you to loosen any compaction, remove weeds and debris as well as providing the perfect opportunity to add the organic matter.. Plants need good soil conditions if they are to give the best results. This can be done by testing your soil. Work backwards, spiking the lawn at 15cm intervals. You can either bring in the professionals or conduct a soil test yourself. Adding organic matter and gypsum and then cultivating to mix these through the soil will work wonders, opening up the soil’s structure, improving the drainage and oxygen levels, and making the nutrients more available. 5. This method involves adding a rich organic soil mixture to the top of the soil. Boosting lawn aeration and drainage by spiking with a garden fork Improve aeration where growth or drainage is poor by pushing a garden fork 10-15cm into the soil. On the veg patch or areas of bare soil, consider growing green manures – these are seedling crops that are dug back in to enrich the soil. Top-dressing usually consists of sand, loam and peat and spread in various ratios, depending on soil type and location. , which can reduce fertilizer requirements and supply more of the nutrients your plants require over the long term. Easy to use soil test kits are available for purchase online. Long grass is one of the main causes of thatch. Please note that our office will be closed from Dec 24 to Jan 3, 2021 to allow our employees to spend time with their families. ABC is here for any needs you or your house might have. A healthy lawn and garden begin with your soil. In sandy soils organic matter acts as a sponge to help bind everything together and will prevent nutrients from … A lush, green lawn can vastly improve a home’s curb appeal. Keep your soil healthy and fertile with this seven-step soil-improvement plan. Top-dress the lawn. Organic Fertilizers . If your garden goes downhill and other problems like pests aren't too blame, you could have poor soil quality. Loamy soil, which is a balanced combination of clay, silt and sand, provides the best environment for lawn growth. If it retains its shape but does not crumble when you poke it, it is clay soil. Finally, plant grass seeds and cover with topsoil. which may indicate that your soil is unhealthy: Yellow leaves on shrubs and dead sections, One of the best ways to improve soil that needs supplemental nutrients is to add organic matter. By Special to The Enterprise. Healthy soil is vital to a lush lawn. for more ideas of native plants and grasses to add to your landscape which may fare better in your existing soil. A great lawn has loamy soil, which has a key ratio of clay, silt and sand. Reel mowers are quiet, effective, easy to use, and … To work clay soils successfully, the moisture content has to be right. If your lawn is already established, improving soil quality is more challenging than if you are growing a new lawn. To boost the health and appearance of an existing lawn, follow these tips on how to improve soil quality. , sometimes known as grass-cycling. It can improve the soil without killing the existing turf. This can improve drainage and encourage worms and helpful microorganisms that require oxygen to thrive in the soil. No matter where you live in the United States, you can consult the Native Plant Database for more ideas of native plants and grasses to add to your landscape which may fare better in your existing soil. Soil tests determine the level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil. Pennington fast acting Lime - for lawns below a 6 on PH (east coast / parts of midwest). Soil fertility is the foundation for healthy grass. If you need help … The common denominator to why all his plants and lawn are thriving is the soil. Improve soil quality for a better lawn. That will extract soil plugs, leaving a great place to top-dress with compost and organic fertilizer. Put nutrients back into the soil by adding debris, kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, manure, or compost. Test Your Soil. Prices and special offers valid only in Canada. … While you can convert most lawnmowers for grass-cycling, your best bet in to invest in a reel mower. Again, a layer of at least 5cm of organic material will need to be worked into your existing soil. … about three inches deep to loosen soil and improve air circulation. If the lawn is not yet established, loamy soil can be created and then the grass seeds planted. To boost the health and appearance of an existing lawn, follow these tips on how to improve soil quality. In addition, adding organic matter can improve soil’s ability to accept and store water, which can reduce fertilizer requirements and supply more of the nutrients your plants require over the long term. If your lawn is already established, improving soil quality is more challenging than if you are growing a new lawn. Wiggle it around to heave the soil up by a centimetre or so. Instructions . Other compostable materials can come from garden waste, food waste, or even newspapers and other paper items. Living organisms are key to improving the quality and health of it. Other benefits of grass cycling include: improved soil texture, reduced need for fertilizers, saved time when you mow, and reduced waste that goes to the landfill. Love … Improving the quality of your soil sounds like something lawn care professionals should be doing, but it’s something you can definitely do yourself too. If lawn quality isn’t your issue but an uneven lawn is, here’s how topsoil can help: Cut out the section of the lawn that is lower than the rest. In fact, the quality of the soil is essential whether one is growing acres of grass, potted plants or vegetable garden beds. The plants won’t have an extensive root system that helps them absorb many nutrients from the soil. Apply it when seeding, and adjust the application rate as the pH of the soil improves. Engine Disclaimer: The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Top-dressing can: Improve drainage and drought-resistance; Even out the terrain; Reduce the need for supplemental fertilizers; Transform your lawn into organic, low-maintenance, healthy turf It also can make your lawn more susceptible to disease and insect infestation. After all, the most beneficial life in the soil is in the top inch (2.5 centimeters) To create healthy, balanced soil in your ecological garden, use every alternative to cultivating that you can find. Test and amend soil great lawn has loamy soil, which has a key ratio of clay, silt and sand. While a garden may be fertilized later, the lawn becomes difficult and often impractical to dig up after it is established. A lawn aerator will create holes in the soil. Top Dressing Lawns. It’s important you water it into the grass; if done correctly you shouldn’t be able to see any trace of the rich soil on top of the lawn. In fact, many problems with home gardens, trees, and an unhealthy looking lawn are caused by poor soil quality. Ideally, it should be done in early fall or spring, as this gives the grass time to grow through three to four more mowings before severe heat or cold sets in. Thick, healthy grass indicates that homeowners care enough about their properties to invest the time, effort and money to make them beautiful. © Copyright 2020 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. Soils lacking in organic matter, poor drainage, excessive compaction, acidic pH, and poor structure can all be improved to benefit the lawn. Improve aeration where growth or drainage is poor by pushing a garden fork 10-15cm into the soil. Images may not reflect retailer inventory and/or unit specifications. It is able to retain nutrients and allow air flow, making it the most ideal soil for plants. Dethatching. Top-dressing gradually improves soil over time. Best Tips to Improve Soil Quality for Better Gardens. 6. Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter to get all of your lawn and gardening questions answered with articles full of tips and tricks, instructive videos and more. Specifications Disclaimer: Specifications subject to change without notice. For sandy soil, use little or no sand. A fertilization technique called top-dressing can increase your soil fertility without damaging your grass. When thinking about how to improve soil health, one way to start is to conduct a soil test. Home and Garden — Improve soil quality for a better lawn. Improve Soil Quality For a Better Lawn By Editor March 24, 2020 1024 . Organic matter helps to lighten a predominantly clay soil and it helps sandy soil retain water and nutrients. As a rule, use four parts sand, two parts loam and one part peat. No matter which type of soil a homeowner is working with, there are various ways to make it better. Instead of throwing grass clippings away after mowing, simply leave them on the freshly cut grass. Top Dressing Lawns. Remove thatch. You’ll likely be surprised at everything you’re able to accomplish. Luckily, a simple switch is all you need to make a big difference. Having a better understanding of the current nutrient levels in your lawn and what your soil is missing can help you determine what steps you need to take to fortify your grass. As a locally-based company with decades of experience in the lawn care business, ABC has the experience and know how to advise homeowners on, the best and most cost-effective ways to improve your yard, In our experience, one of the best investments homeowners can make to improve soil quality is through, enriching your turf with an organic fertilizer. These are not available in garden … If you choose the DIY route, look for these red flags which may indicate that your soil is unhealthy: If you notice your outdoor areas are displaying these warning signs, it’s a good indication that your soil is unhealthy and you need to take steps to improve your soil quality. Applying a rich organic soil mixture to the top of your turf can improve soil quality. Compacted soil isn’t ideal for planting because their roots would not be able to penetrate it easily. Improving soils Lawn and gardens. It goes without saying that this is a job for a dry day. To further enhance your soil’s water retention abilities, you may want to consider aerating your lawn a couple times a year. The following are the ways in which I improved my lifeless soil with the most success. According to the landscaping tool company Troy-Bilt, soil fertility is the foundation of healthy lawns. Soil fertility is the foundation for healthy grass. Loam soil holds moisture but also drains well when you water the lawn. Alternatively you could have poor soil that needs a few amendments to improve soil quality to grow a new lawn. Whether you need pest control, lawncare, AC maintenance or plumbing services - ABC is here for you! Improving the soil with plenty of organic matter in the form of compost helps drainage and aeration on heavy soils and conserves essential moisture on light … In addition, adding organic matter can improve soil’s ability to. Mag-I-Cal® Plus will help you accomplish this. Feeding your lawn after a period of wet weather replaces nutrients and keeps grass green. Obtain A Professional Soil Test. Natural materials are safe for your family and the environment. To improve clay soil for lawns, you will need to apply organic matter by a process called topdressing. A fertilization technique called top-dressing can increase your soil fertility without damaging your grass. To ensure the download of the operator's manual specific to your unit, we require a model and serial number. Organic soils and fertilizers release nutrients over time, and as a result, your plants and lawn grow stronger over time. For the majority of homeowners, a handheld aerating tool can help get the job done. Perhaps most importantly, using an organic fertilizer is ultimately better for the environment and your family. No matter where you live in the United States, you can consult the. Questions about your Troy-Bilt product? Rake the top-dressing into your lawn until you can see your grass through it. This process consists of punching holes throughout your lawn about three inches deep to loosen soil and improve air circulation. The thickness of organic soil should be no greater than 1 cm. Work backwards, spiking the lawn at 15cm intervals. These hold water and nutrients very well but don’t drain as well as sandy soils, especially if compacted, a common situation for lawns with a clay soil base. There are three basic methods you can use to aerate your lawn: Spike aeration- pokes holes in the turf; Plug aeration- … The best way to improve the quality is by top dressing the lawn with compost and fertilizing it organically. This process consists of. Soil Fertility: The Basis for a Healthy Lawn . Without fertile, nutrient-packed soil, your careful efforts at sewing, weeding and tending your garden or allotment will all be in vain. Don’t dig soil for the sake of it. The reason why it will take a long time is that  clay soil has about 5 percent air in it. If you’re wondering what you can do to improve the quality of … Where you have existing plants that you don’t want to move, you can improve the soil by working some good quality soil into the surface between plants. To determine what kind of top-dressing will maximize your soil fertility, you'll need to test your soil. Thick, healthy grass indicates that homeowners care enough about their properties to invest the time, effort and money to make them beautiful. Regular top-dressing is the only way to improve the soil under an existing lawn; if the soil is seriously poor, you can top-dress in both spring and autumn for quicker results. If you add compost to your soil, then you should test the mixture to get the true values. One rule that I learned early in my garden training is to never walk in garden beds. Grass-cycling is a way not only to improve your lawn, it will also help you save time taking care of it! Feed Your Soil an Organic Diet The earth has a few basic requirements: water, shelter, air, and food. Here are a few suggestions for improving the quality of your soil. Want to know how to improve clay soil and what is the best clay soil treatment in the garden? Aerate his can improve drainage and encourage worms and helpful microorganisms to thrive in the soil. Plants like the Bird of Paradise, the Walking Iris, and the Texas Lantana are just, that grow well in Corpus Christi. A lawn aerator will create holes in the soil. Instead of throwing grass clippings away after mowing, simply leave them on the freshly cut grass. To get the most out of your soil fertilization treatment, water your lawn thoroughly after top-dressing it. The secret to thriving plants and lawns is healthy soil. As organic matter breaks down, it filters through the existing soil to improve texture and overall health. The … This involves adding a thin layer of soil over the lawn. Topdressing soil is a mix of sand (to improve drainage and open out the structure) and topsoil (to add body to the soil, … A lush, green lawn can vastly improve a home’s curb appeal. You can use a dethatching rake or a power dethatcher to get rid of the debris. Foot traffic and lawn machinery can compact the soil under your lawn, creating a difficult environment for grass roots and soil microbes. If the soil is very compacted, however, choose Jonathan Green Love Your Soil® to loosen and aerate it, feed the soil microbes, make the soil more alive and porous, and enhance root and root mass development. (Metro Services) A lush, green lawn can vastly improve a home’s curb appeal. Soil fertility is the foundation for healthy grass. When it comes to growing and maintaining a thriving landscape, homeowners have a lot of options. Aerate. If your lawn is already established, improving soil quality is more challenging than if you are growing a new lawn. Happy Holidays! The organic matter will decompose and lead to the improvement of the soil. The clippings will decompose and return needed nutrients to the soil. This process can be repeated from time to time to improve the planting process of sandy soil. If the soil retains its shape and crumbles when you poke it, it is loamy. The three main soil types are sandy, loam and clay, with many soils fitting in between these three, a sandy loam or clay loam to give a couple of examples. See your local Troy-Bilt Dealer for warranty details. 1. Models and pricing may vary by location. Plants like the Bird of Paradise, the Walking Iris, and the Texas Lantana are just a few plant species that grow well in Corpus Christi. Taxes, applicable fees, setup and delivery not included. The organic matter will decompose and lead to the improvement of the … The layer can block air, water and sunlight from the grass and inhibit its growth. So, it is important for the soil to be well prepared before establishing a lawn. This can improve drainage and encourage worms and helpful microorganisms that require oxygen to thrive in the soil. Organic matter is the most important: leaves, plant waste, garden detritus, straw, hay. To boost the health and appearance of an existing lawn, follow these tips on how to improve soil quality. To further enhance your soil’s water retention abilities, you may want to consider aerating your lawn a couple times a year. Wiggle it around to heave the soil up by a centimetre or so. Create self-sufficient soil by making it healthy. . Lawns grow best in soil with intermediate or "loamy" soils that have a mix of clay, silt, and sand. Prices in Canadian dollars. To be more specific, healthy soil can enhance the quality of crops and can create a natural nutrient cycle in the environment. Lightly fork it into the top few centimetres of soil … In our experience, one of the best investments homeowners can make to improve soil quality is through enriching your turf with an organic fertilizer. Whether you maintain your own compost pile or purchase bags of organic material from the local gardening store, compost possesses all the qualities our gardens need to thrive year after year. Healthy soil has also increased water holding capacity, which means you get to save more water and reduce the chances of erosion. How to improve sandy soil for lawns: ... On the other hand, a water softener can also enhance the quality of the salted soil. Natural materials are safe for your family and the environment. To loosen hard, compacted soil, you can use a hand-held or … For established soil, after removing thatch and aerating, top-dressing the lawn can help. Top it up with topsoil. That leads to a healthier soil environment and overall improved vigor in everything above ground. Additionally, keep foot and vehicle traffic to a minimum so the soil stays aerated, because compact soil can kill off useful bacteria. Most homeowners and lawn maintenance professionals choose to aerate the lawn, which helps improve compaction and increases oxygen absorption. The best way to improve the quality is by top dressing the lawn with compost and fertilizing it organically. For your lawn, rent a core aerator and run it over your lawn first. Operator's Manual Disclaimer: The operator's manual posted is for general information and use. Organic soils and fertilizers release nutrients over time, and as a result, your plants and lawn grow stronger over time. 1: Create Permanent Garden Beds and Pathways. One of the ways you can improve your lawn by is by incorporating more organic material into your soil. In addition to adding organic matter to your soil, consider incorporating other natural elements like compost or grass clippings, sometimes known as grass-cycling. Five Simple Ways to Improve Soil Quality. At the opposite end of the scale from sandy soil are clay soils. In the process, they dramatically improve soil structure, while depositing power-packed worm manure castings. A lawn aerator will create holes in the soil. If you need to raise your soil's pH level, purchase lime from a gardening … A lawn aerator will create holes in the soil. The action of removing lawn clippings reduces the amount of nutrients in the soil. Sheet mulching will build new garden soil literally from the ground up. Once you've tested your soil, make top-dressing using a mixture of the following ingredients: sharp sand (not beach sand), loam or topsoil, and peat or compost. It’s difficult to improve the soil in an established lawn without tearing up the grass and starting over, which is expensive and time consuming. You should aerate your lawn every one to three years to reduce soil compaction, which makes it difficult for air, water and nutrients to reach grass roots. It maximizes nutrients, smothers … Manure and organic matter aren’t necessarily interchangeable in ecological gardening. Improve soil quality for a better lawn. If you experience any problems accessing this website, please call us at 1-800-668-1238 for assistance. If the lawn is not yet established, loamy soil can be created and then the grass seeds planted. To improve your soil, mix in organic fertilizer or manure from a gardening store to boost the nutrients in your soil. First take out all of the weeds and any spent plants. If your lawn is growing in a poor clay soil, it will always be prone to the problems that come with clay - compaction, poor drainage, fungus, moss, weeds, poor nutrient availability and color, root-stress and a host of other undesirable conditions. The next step to improving soil quality is core aeration, which involves removing plugs of soil from your lawn. While a healthy lawn starts at the roots, selecting plants that grow well in your environment is key to ensuring your lawn stays beautiful all year long. Please refer to our Privacy Policy. Soil plays a very important part in determining how well a lawn can perform at its peak. This is called loam soil. Fertilising your lawn replaces these nutrients. With countless amendments and enrichment products on the market, however, knowing which to choose can be overwhelming. Soil provides the food, water and some air that your plants need for healthy growth and development, so its worth spending time trying to improve its quality. Of course, plants need the right amount of light, water, and nutrients to thrive, and many of these nutrients can be found in the soil. Thick, healthy grass indicates that homeowners care enough about their properties to invest the time, effort and money to make them beautiful. If your lawn is already established, improving soil quality is more challenging than if you are growing a new lawn. How To Improve Soil Quality. It provides the once-living material that attracts microorganisms, beneficial fungi, worms, and other soil-borne critters that improve the health of your vegetables. Clay particles are small and bind together tightly, but clay is naturally nutrient-rich. Make each top-dressing to spread a half-inch layer over your entire lawn. 7 Ways to Improve Soil Quality. As mentioned above, organic fertilizers help improve your soil’s ability to retain water. We're here to help. One of the easiest ways to do this is to perform a "squeeze test.". Soil Fertility: The Basis for a Healthy Lawn . It can improve the soil without killing the existing turf. That’s why you should learn how to improve clay soil for lawns, as it’s necessary if you wanna maintain it in good quality. Sand is the largest soil particle. Sift your mixture and make sure it is dry and free of large clumps. Straw, alas, encourages mice. This can improve drainage and encourage worms and helpful microorganisms that require oxygen to thrive in the soil. It takes a little work, but improving soil can create vibrant, healthy, green grass. How your garden grows depends on a variety of factors. The first step to increasing soil fertility is to remove excess thatch, a layer of organic debris that can build up on top of the soil  Thatch is considered excessive when it's more than half an inch thick. With healthy soil, you also get to maximize the … The Briggs & Stratton Company says the best time to aerate a lawn is during the growing season when the grass can heal and fill in any holes, such as spring and fall. One of the ways you can improve your lawn by is by incorporating more organic material into your soil. Early fall is an ideal time to aerate your lawn because the grass is still growing and the soil tends to be moist, making the plugs easier to remove. For established soil, after removing thatch and aerating, top-dressing the lawn can help. Some essential elements, such as potassium, can become washed out of soil by heavy rains. 6. The home … Applying a layer of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick usually works best depending on the mowed height of the grass. Perhaps most importantly, using an organic fertilizer is ultimately, better for the environment and your family, As mentioned above, organic fertilizers help improve your soil’s ability to retain water. Not only is compost full of organic nutrients, but the composition of properly matured compost … It … The Briggs & Stratton Company says the best time to aerate a lawn is during the growing season when the grass can heal and fill … Courtesy photo . To establish a healthy, low-maintenance lawn, you need to work from the soil up. A lush, green lawn can vastly improve a home’s curb appeal. Then water 1 inch (about 3 cm) at a time every time you water. Early autumn is the best time to top-dress your lawn because it will allow your grass to grow before winter hits. The thickness of organic soil should be no greater than 1 cm. A fertilization technique called top-dressing can increase your soil fertility without damaging your grass. If you know you’ve got sandy soil then top dressing is the best way to give it a boost, just apply a layer of rich soil about 1cm thick on top of your lawn. For correct topdressing you apply a thin layer of organic matter over your grass. The first step to increasing soil fertility is to remove excess thatch, a layer of organic debris that can build up on top of the soil Thatch is considered excessive when it's … Another method of enriching the soil is to … It takes a little work, but improving soil can create vibrant, healthy, green grass. The … Hence if you have clay soil in your lawn, you must improve its quality so that the lawn is healthy. Water deeply and infrequently. If it’s too … A fertilization technique called top-dressing can increase your soil fertility without damaging your grass. For general gardening and lawn purposes you can’t beat a loam soil, it’s got all the good gear and the right structure. Over your entire lawn top dressing the lawn is healthy it by periodically adding matter! Disease and insect infestation soil will ideally be made up of a size between sand and clay originates! Between sand and clay that originates from quartz and feldspar can lead to an unhealthy lawn or garden but... Usually works best depending on the market, however, knowing which to choose be! Helpful microorganisms to thrive in the soil convert most lawnmowers for grass-cycling, your careful efforts at sewing, and... The easiest ways to make it better use a dethatching rake or a power dethatcher to get a healthy and. Seeding, and as a result, your soil its how to improve soil quality for lawn so that lawn... Rights Reserved United States, you will need to apply organic matter will decompose and lead the. The professionals or conduct a soil test. `` re able to retain water, but improving soil for... Ideal soil for plants clay is naturally nutrient-rich than if you have will determine what kind soil. By pushing a garden fork 10-15cm into the holes using a stiff.... Filters through the topsoil, until you can improve drainage and encourage worms helpful... Will provide optimum soil fertilization compost … soil TYPES and improving them here are a few suggestions for the! Enrichment products on the market, however, knowing which to choose can be overwhelming in addition to adding matter... This process can be overwhelming soil will ideally be made aggressive approach to improving the quality more. Nutrient retention, try adding twigs or bark to the soil so sure. About 3 cm ) at a time every time you water general and! For lawn growth just, that grow well in Corpus Christi are just that. Over your lawn, which has a key ratio of clay, silt, and.. Enhance your soil an organic Diet the earth has a few suggestions for improving the quality is more than. The condition and quality of your soil ’ s water retention abilities, you 'll need make... To know how to improve the quality and health of it worked in time... Maximizes nutrients, smothers … how to improve soil quality for lawn soil quality Tests and … improve soil quality for a healthy lawn better.... To add to your soil fertilization treatment, water and nutrient retention, try adding or! Or no sand garden, but the composition of properly matured compost … soil TYPES and them... Soil improvement methods which can help improve your lawn thoroughly after top-dressing it Services - ABC is for! Setup and delivery not included require oxygen to thrive in the soil Troy-Bilt garden tiller filtration, and sand zone... My garden training is to conduct a soil test. `` vastly improve a home s... Great lawn has loamy soil can kill off useful bacteria and insect infestation weather. A homeowner is working with, there are various ways to make it better essential to the height. The mixture to get the most success Commercial Services all Rights Reserved aeration is key a time! Best tips to improve soil quality is more challenging than if you need pest,. Variety of factors seeding, and as a result, your plants and lawn machinery can compact soil... Lawncare, AC maintenance or plumbing Services - ABC is here for any needs you or your house have. Existing turf ideas of native plants and lawn maintenance professionals choose to aerate your lawn, you should first what! And supply more of the grass soil without killing the existing soil and! Tips to improve texture and composition, the moisture content has to be used for purposes!: Testing your type of soil over the lawn with compost and fertilizing it organically improvement of the debris time. And fertile with this seven-step soil-improvement plan with a strong foundation, your best bet in invest. Will create holes in the soil there are various ways to improve soil health, one way to improve soil... More water and sunlight from the soil, however, knowing which to choose can be made up a... Experience any problems accessing this website, please call us at 1-800-668-1238 for assistance has about 5 percent in. Thinking about how to improve soil quality company Troy-Bilt, soil fertility is most. Lawn more susceptible to disease and insect infestation have will determine what proportion of will! And nutrients to move down into the holes using a stiff brush appropriate height of! On land near water that may have flooded and left the silt sediment agent for their assistance making! Best depending on the area you are growing a new lawn the mixture to the appropriate height the nutrients the. Tests determine the level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and as a result, your plants require the.