TL;DR
Using sulfur on your lawn can be highly beneficial: it functions as a secondary nutrient and can help lower overly alkaline soil so your grass can absorb nutrients more effectively. However, it’s not a one‑size‑fits‑all solution — you must perform a soil test first, correct drainage issues, and apply the right amount for your specific soil conditions.
Lawn Sulfur has many benefits for your grass. We’ll tell you more, and how it works.
You’ve heard lawn sulfur application is a great way to promote a healthy lawn, but how does it work and what do you need to consider? We will unlock the ABCs of sulfur for you here.
A beautiful lawn is a lot of work, but with a lawn care professional’s help, you can have one of the best Bergen County lawns on the block! A great lawn takes preparation, care, and proper treatment in order to fight off weeds, pests, and weather conditions. Partnering with Borst Landscape & Design means you can have confidence that your lawn is in great hands.
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Sulfur: a secondary nutrient for lawn health
Sulfur is among the secondary nutrients that help promote healthy grass growth. The three primary nutrients for a healthy lawn are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but secondary nutrients like sulfur are also essential.
If the grass in your lawn has a sulfur deficiency, you may see signs of:
- Yellowing
- Slowed growth
- Thin blades
Grasses planted in sandy soils are most likely to show signs of sulfur deficiency.
On the other hand, lawns with a good amount of sulfur have strong grass with dense blades and good growth. Lawn sulfur encourages lush green grass with healthy roots, which is more successful at fighting weeds and disease.
Lawn sulfur for pH adjustment
Lawn sulfur is often used in lawn care for adjusting soil pH. High-pH, overly alkaline soil affects the availability of many nutrients that grasses need to be healthy and lush.
If the soil pH is too alkaline, the roots of the grass will not be able to absorb nutrients, even if there are good amounts present in the soil. When lawn sulfur lowers pH to bring grass into the acidic pH it prefers, the sulfur also works to unlock inaccessible nutrients from the soil, making them available so grass roots can absorb them.
How does it work? When sulfur is added to soil, soil bacteria convert the sulfur to sulfuric acid. This is a slow, natural biological process. Think of it as working with nature.
Things to consider about lawn sulfur application
Before attempting to lower the soil pH or correct nutrient deficiencies with lawn sulfur, there are considerations to take so you don’t do any serious damage to the grass.
Firstly, make sure you are following the guidance from a soil test. Don’t assume that a lawn sulfur deficiency is a problem without having all the information. The nutrients in your soil can change over the year. An inexpensive soil test can take all the guesswork out of applying the correct nutrients your lawn will need.
The amount of lawn sulfur needed for your grass depends on factors including your soil type and pH, so follow your soil test results.
Also, correct any drainage problems in your yard before using lawn sulfur. This will help you avoid salt buildup from the lawn sulfur application, which can burn grass roots.
Work with Borst for grass health
Applying lawn sulfur activates a slow-working, natural biological process. It takes time but works to support your grass in the long term by promoting robust, healthy growth. Lawn sulfur is an excellent element of a comprehensive lawn care program.
Borst Landscape & Design specializes in providing Bergen County, NJ residents with lawn maintenance and lawn care services that are safer, natural, and dependable. From regular lawn mowing to fertilization, pruning, and spring & fall clean-ups, we can do it all.
Call(201) 785-9400 or get in touch online!
FAQs
Q1: What role does sulfur play in lawn health?
A1: Sulfur is a secondary nutrient for lawns (after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). If your grass shows signs like yellowing, slow growth, or thin blades, a sulfur deficiency might be part of the problem.
Q2: Can sulfur help with soil pH issues?
A2: Yes. If your soil is too alkaline (a high pH), nutrients may be present but unavailable to your grass roots. Applying sulfur helps lower pH (via biological conversion to sulfuric acid) and unlock nutrients for uptake.
Q3: When should I test my soil before applying sulfur?
A3: Always before applying sulfur—or any major nutrient/fertilizer change. A simple soil test will tell you soil type, pH, and sulfur levels so you can apply the correct rate.
Q4: Are there any risks or things to watch out for when applying sulfur?
A4: Yes. Key considerations:
Make sure soil drainage is good so salts don’t build up and burn roots.
Use application rates based on soil test and conditions—over‑application can damage grass.
Realize that sulfur’s effect is gradual—it activates via soil biology, so it takes time.
Q5: Which lawns benefit most from sulfur treatment?
A5: Lawns on sandy soils or soils that have become overly alkaline often show signs of sulfur deficiency (yellowing, thin blades) and benefit most from sulfur application.
Q6: How should homeowners in our Bergen/Morris/Essex County service area proceed?
A6: First, schedule a soil test to check pH and sulfur status. If results show high pH or low sulfur, consider working with an experienced full‑service landscaping team like Borst Landscape & Design to apply sulfur correctly and integrate it into your broader lawn care program (including mowing, fertilizing, aeration, etc.).