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A quick search online may recommend that you give your dog apple cider vinegar to help decrease the pH level of your dog’s urine. This method won’t help your yard, though. Most turf grasses thrive on slightly acidic soil, so apple cider vinegar won’t make much of a difference. 

The main cause of grass death by dog urine isn’t the pH level anyway—it’s usually the excessive amount of nitrogen that kills your grass.

If you notice your grass is growing quickly and it’s hard to keep up, cut down on how much you water and fertilize it. Another helpful method is to mow the grass at the highest setting your mower will allow. Mowing at a higher setting slows grass growth since the blades won’t need to repair themselves as quickly if they’re kept at a longer length.

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 decision of whether or not to let moss grow in your yard depends on your preference. Moss is a lower-maintenance alternative to grass that looks green and lush but doesn’t require irrigation, fertilization, or mowing. Unlike grass, moss doesn’t attract pests, so it can keep your yard free from bugs as well. However, moss won’t stand up to heavy foot traffic as well as turfgrass.