You can throw down all the fertilizer, seed, and chemicals you want—but if your soil pH is off, you’re wasting time and money. In Charlotte’s loamy clay soils, pH tends to drift acidic over time, and tall fescue won’t perform its best unless you correct it.
Why Soil pH Matters
- Grass roots can’t absorb nutrients properly if the pH is too low or too high.
- For tall fescue, the sweet spot is 6.0 to 6.5. Below 6.0, nutrients get “locked up” in the soil.
- Acidic soil favors weeds, moss, and disease, while balanced soil gives grass the conditions to thrive.
Think of it like the water temperature in your shower. It’s not a pleasant experience if it’s too low or too high. Soil pH is the same concept.