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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.

The best time to fight crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide is when forsythias tend to bloom. In the mid-Atlantic region, this is usually between April and May. Even if you're late to apply the herbicide, it’s effective as long as the crabgrass plant has fewer than five leaves.

Powdery mildew tends to grow mostly on leafy plants. The mold itself isn’t particularly harmful, except for those who are allergic to mold. However, you should treat it like you’d treat the discovery of any other mold, and get rid of it immediately. Powdery mildew can spread to your home, which can cause expensive damage. 

Sugar water helps the microorganisms in the soil break down nutrients, thus helping certain plants grow. In other words, it is okay to water plants with sugar water, but exercise caution and never rely on sugar when fertilizing your grass. Sugar is not plant food and, if applied too liberally, kills the plants you intend to help.