St Augustine Turf is a Rain Water Filter

by Rick Orr

The turf/soil complex is like a water filter –when it rains, the fertilizer is filtered out by the turf and rain water is purified. Now, I admit, that is a simplification but simple or complex explanation aside, the results are the same – fertilizer does not “run off in rain water” – it is trapped and held by stems, roots, microbes and other organic matter.

How Does Turf Filter Water?

The turf/soil complex is a living breathing biological filter. The turf above the soil is matt of leaves and stems that shatters rain drops into a mist and turns streams of flowing water into standing water. The standing water gently soaks into the soil passing over countless surfaces that scrub and filter the water. The fertilizer that is filtered out remains in the root zone - feeding the turf for months.

So no need worry about fertilizer run off during a heavy rain. Rain is good for your turf and your turf was created to take full advantage of the rain and fertilizer.