Your lawn’s root system plays a major role in providing anchorage for the lawn against heavy usage and provides support to recover the turf whenever that time may be. In the event where your lawn has been allowed to dry out excessively for whatever reason (i.e. water shortage problems) a good root system will keep your lawn going until the next application off irrigation or rainfall comes along.
The root system has two main jobs – to provide the turf foliage with all the nutrients it needs and to source the water your lawn requires to survive. It is important to note that the root hairs are predominantly what allows the root system to be able to take up nutrient from the soil for the lawn to survive well, and it is both the root hairs and ‘tap roots’ that find water for the lawn.
Good irrigation practices are also very important – deep infrequent irrigation results in roots growing deep into the soil looking for moisture.
Influences on developing a better lawn root system
Plant species – some species have ability to grow a deeper and more vigorous root system than other grass types
Soil type – The make up of your lawn’s soil type will have an influence on how your lawn’s root system develops. The heavier the soil the less the air space and often can be waterlogged in nature this will restrict root growth.
Thatch levels – Lawns with high levels of thatch are very restrictive in their ability to produce a deep root system. Thatch is said to hold around 33% moisture, many lawn soils will have less moisture that what holds. This basically means lawns with an excessive thatch layer will result in a short root system as roots will choose to mainly lives in the thatch as the thatch layer has a higher moisture retention than the soil below meaning the roots will have no reason to grow deep as they are being well accommodated in the thatch layer.
Climate & Soil temperatures – The growing conditions and general temperatures have a major influence on our ability to grow a good root system. As a general rule the more the turf is growing the better the chance the root system will be too. Good growing conditions coupled up with good maintenance are a major influencing factor on your lawn growing a deep root system. It’s also worth noting soil temperatures will always be a few degrees lower than regular air temperatures. Cool season grasses develop their root systems best when soil temperatures are around 16-17 degrees
Insect and disease – Insect and disease activity has potential to restrict the development of the root system.
Above all, the stronger the lawn is, the better the root system is and the higher the threshold will be for wear & tear on the lawn, and the faster the recovery will be when wear & tear does take place.
Developing a better root system
To develop a deep and vigorous root system, the following rules need to be adhered to;
- Ensure your lawn is irrigated deep and infrequently – this will ensure the roots will grow deep looking for moisture for the plant. This is most important throughout spring as this is when the root activity is at its greatest for cool season grass and it also helps your lawn to harden up leading into summer.
- Minimise thatch at all costs. Thatch reduction should be undertaken at least once per year through scarifying.
- Aerate your lawn at least once per year – this will reduce the compaction, provide a good amount of air into the lawn profile, reduce thatch, and provide an easy avenue for roots to grow deep chasing water.
- Don’t over fertilise – Avoid excessive applications of Nitrogen – not only does this lead to excessive thatch accumulation, excessive applications of N also leads to carbohydrate exhaustion. This exhausts the carbohydrate reserves and the root system ultimately suffers as its the lowest priority of the plant. Nitrogen is required in measured amounts in order to help the root system to develop, but it must be carried out in a measured way, following the ‘little & often’ rule.
- Apply Phosphorus and Potassium. Both these nutrients are closely associated to root growth.
- Apply seaweed base products to your lawn – seaweed products contain the plant hormone Auxin that can assist in the development & maintenance of the root system
- Avoid scalping from mowing. Observing the 1/3 rule is important. That is to never remove any more than 1/3 of the height of your lawn in any one mowing as this requires energy from the root system to repair the damage to the surface of the lawn when its scalped.
- Avoid stressing your lawn if your lawn is sick – any stressful inputs or over usage all stress the root system further.
- Avoid stressing your lawn unnecessarily during spring, especially for cool season grasses as this is when root growth is at its greatest, especially avoiding using herbicides during this time.
Based on above, a simple conclusion can be made;
“Any lawn that has a deep and vigorous root system will have very little problems”
