Soil conditioner for your lawn - do it now

Spring lawn tip : Don't forget to use a soil conditioner on your lawn. Soil conditioner softens the clay which allows deeper root growth and improves water utilization. Soil conditioners also add beneficial micronutrients to promote maximum plant and root growth. This will also improve your lawn’s appearance. EarthRite is what I use.

Transplanting perennials such as day lilies

“Transplant shock” can occur when transplanting any type of plant. To minimize the shock for day lilies and other perennials that have already emerged, do the following:

• Leave a small ball of soil around the plant when removing it from the ground
• Keep the soil ball a little moist
• Transport it in a container that will allow the ball to stay intact

The new bed where the lilies will be transplanted should be filled with good fertile dirt or a type of premixed bedding soil.

The next step is very important and will greatly increase your lilies chances of becoming well established in their new bed: only use root starter at the time of planting. Root starter is a type of liquid fertilizer that promotes quick and robust root development and at the same time provides nutrients for good top growth. Continue to use root starter once a week for six weeks, thereafter use a granular bulb food (I like Johnson’s Bulb Food) at a rate of one cup per ten square feet of bedding. Repeat the granular bulb food again in eight weeks.

See my blog entry about Fertilizer for bulbs and tubers for more information on caring for established perennials

Good idea to use a soil conditioner

Generally the soil in eastern Kansas is full of clay. Clay in the soil inhibits water absorption which can cause water to stand or pool, can restrict nutrients getting to plant roots, and is just plain hard for digging!

Soil conditioner softens the clay which allows deeper root growth and improves water utilization. Soil conditioners also add beneficial micronutrients to promote maximum plant and root growth. This, in turn, will improve your lawn’s appearance.

It is easy to apply - just attach your garden hose to the spray applicator on the bottle of conditioner and water. For optimal results apply three times a year - spring, summer, and fall. If you elect to apply it only twice a year, do so in the spring and the beginning of summer.
Check with a lawn and garden center for this product. Read and follow the product instructions carefully. This stuff is really well worth the cost and time involved to use it!