Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of your lawn? It turns out that microorganisms, which are invisible to the naked eye, play a key role in maintaining a healthy, green lawn. They are a real arsenal of beneficial fungi, bacteria and even viruses. They work constantly to support the flow of essential nutrients from the soil to the lawn vegetation.
The main/the most important player in this microscopic world is humus – the organic material derived from decaying roots, leaves and branches, which provides a natural food for the microorganisms in the soil. That is way in order to maintain a healthy plant growth it is essential to regularly enrich the lawn in compost.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the main characters of this microscopic show. Beneficial bacteria play an important role in breaking down humus and natural components in the lawn, making nutrients available to plants. In addition, they can produce the so-called chelating compounds, which bind some of the nutrients available in the soil, thereby helping plants to absorb them.
Representatives of the protozoa have another important function in the soil microbial community. They eat bacteria, thus contributing to the release of nitrogen in the form of ammonia into the soil. Although plants are not capable of consuming it as it is, this process is a key step in the life cycle of soil microorganisms. The ammonia left behind by the protozoa is then converted by nitrifying bacteria into nitrate, which can be directly used by plants.
This invisible cycle of microorganism dependences is invariably important for the proper development of lawns. For this reason, it is important to ensure the right conditions for the optimal functioning of this friendly group of microorganisms. Avoiding chemical fertilizers in favor of natural composts is a key step in maintaining the balance of this microscopic ecosystem. Let’s give these little helpers a chance so we can enjoy a beautiful green lawn for a long time!
Based on: How Healthy Soil Microbes Can Benefit Your Lawn and Landscape | (yourgreenpal.com)