We apply concentrated doses of fertilizer to our lawns because it is more convenient for us, as people, to apply a month or more of fertilizer instead of doing it more frequently.  We generally do it in the middle of the day when we generally work.  This makes the plants dependent upon our schedules for food so they absorb as much of this as possible creating [succulent fat] growth only to be cut down to half size my the mower.  In the process they not only loose all that plant matter, their root structures shrink because less is required to feed the tall plant. The grass is less capable of pulling water from the soil and now must survive through a famine period.  We are told that we just need to increase the amount of water we use which keeps the grass roots shallow.

The concentrated doses of nitrogen leach down into the soil which kills the microbial activity.  [need source] Any weeds that were emerging are killed, only to make way for a new crop that feed on the excess nitrogen and increased water.  The thriving weeds get the upper hand on the grass and somehow we begin to believe that taking care of grass is difficult.

Concentrated fertilizer and heavy watering make our modern, vigorous-growing grasses produce a thick thatch layer, particularly if clippings are not raked up.  We now have another reason to bring-on the gardener with their power raking equipment.

This spiral of dependence upon concentrated shots of fertilizer with herbicide to maintain a portrait of health with an immediate result can only be maintained with regular (and often increasing) treatments of various chemicals and lawn care products.

Create a cycle in sync with nature

Grass was meant to grow slow.  Sitting there watch the grass grow was never supposed to be exciting.  That is exactly how we want our grass.  Not exciting.  Imagine if grass only grew 1/2” per month and still stay lush, cool and inviting.  We wouldn’t have to cut it, trim it or edge it but once every few months.  That would be a great product!

That is a worthy goal but in the mean time, Virid promotes the slow, steady growth of grass.  It is the way grass grows naturally.  It is accustomed to water and nutrients in the mornings.  Airborne particles cling to dew in the mornings or anytime when rain lowers temperatures and pull particles from the air.  The stomates, or pores, on the leaves are open in these cooler temperatures so they do not dehydrate the plant.  They facilitate the photosynthesis process with the efficient entry of water and nutrients directly to the leaves.  Nutrients applied this way are up to 90% absorbed directly into the leaves.  The remainder percolates into the soil, promoting strong microbial populations that in turn help feed the plants through the roots.  The deep, healthy root structures increase the tolerance of hot and dry periods.  We can reduce the amount of water necessary to keep a lawn looking green and we can feel good about doing it.