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At its core, soil pH is a measure of how many hydrogen ions are present in your soil. In highly acidic soil (low pH), plant growth is difficult due to reduced microbial availability in the dirt.

In highly alkaline soil, plants may struggle to grow due to iron deficiencies. In either case, a lack of balance deprives grass or plants of some key nutrients they need to grow.

A pH reading of 6 to 7.5 is ideal for most plants. Slight acidity is, generally speaking, less of an issue than slight alkalinity. Many plants can still thrive in slightly acidic soil.

Yes, it can be cheaper to fertilize your own lawn. DIY lawn fertilization saves the cost of hiring a lawn care company or a company that specializes in lawn fertilization. It’s important to handle fertilizer carefully to avoid the potential dangers of getting fertilizing chemicals on your skin. Also, using the wrong type of fertilizer or misapplying it can permanently damage your lawn. On average, the cost to fertilize your lawn using a professional lawn care service is about $250 and may be worth checking into as professionals tend to have the equipment and knowledge to apply the most effective blend of fertilizer to your lawn for the best results. 

Whether you’re putting down fresh seed or reseeding, there are a few things to keep in mind when seeding your lawn. Be sure to choose the correct seed for your climate, seed at the right time of year, and water two to three times a day for the first week. Generally, Dudley recommends seeding in spring and fall as it is usually cooler and rainier.

You should water your lawn two or three days before putting down fertilizer to ensure it can properly absorb it. It's good to apply fertilizer if the ground is moist, but you want to avoid overwatering or flooding the area because it can prevent the grass from absorbing the nutrients. Consider weather conditions when scheduling your fertilizer treatment and read the instructions to see how long you should wait to water after application.