Biological Turf and Shrub Treatment Improves City Hall Landscaping Project

Turf and Landscaping Case Study: 2 Acres

Improving Turf Establishment and Root-Zone Development

A growing city along Colorado’s Front Range used BioLynceus® products as part of a 2-acre municipal landscaping project in front of City Hall.

The treatment program was designed to support:

  • Turf root development

  • Soil water retention

  • Nutrient availability

  • Plant establishment

  • Overall turf and shrub health

The project followed a successful residential application of BioLynceus® microbial products during local drought conditions.

Residential Turf Performance During Water Restrictions

A local resident had been using BioLynceus® microbial solutions to support lawn health while reducing irrigation during periods of restricted water use.

Despite limited watering, the treated lawn remained green and healthy throughout the summer.

A neighboring lawn receiving a similar irrigation schedule became brown and patchy during the same period.

The difference in turf appearance attracted the attention of the city’s Public Works Director, who visited the property to see the results firsthand.

Bringing Biological Soil Management to City Hall

After observing the condition of the treated lawn, the Public Works Director decided to incorporate BioLynceus® products into the new City Hall landscaping project.

The goal was to improve the biological condition of the soil and support stronger establishment of newly planted turf and shrubs.

By focusing on the root zone and soil biology, the city aimed to improve water efficiency, nutrient uptake, and long-term landscape performance under challenging growing conditions.

Figure 1. Google Earth image of the treated area in front of the City Hall building. The turf area and most shrubs received applications of Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream®.

Establishing a Biological Turf and Landscaping Program

The Public Works Department planned to install approximately two acres of turf and numerous shrubs around the City Hall property.

To support healthy plant establishment, the city developed a landscaping program that combined conventional compost with BioLynceus® Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream®.

The goal was to improve soil biological activity, root-zone development, water retention, and overall plant health throughout the newly landscaped area.

Applying Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream®

During the first growing season, the city applied Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream® twice through the fertigation system used to irrigate the turf.

Newly planted shrubs received the products by hand at the time of planting.

Conventional compost was also incorporated into the topsoil throughout the landscaped areas to provide additional organic matter and support soil development.

Supporting Soil Biology with Lot 125®

Lot 125® was applied as a biological soil amendment to introduce beneficial soil microorganisms and support microbial activity within the root zone.

The treatment program was intended to help improve:

  • Soil structure

  • Nutrient cycling

  • Root-zone development

  • Water retention

  • Overall soil biological activity

Supporting Root Development with Seaweed Cream®

Seaweed Cream® was included in the program to support early turf and shrub root development.

Developing a stronger root system can help plants explore a larger volume of soil for available water and nutrients, supporting establishment during the growing season.

Healthy Turf After the First Growing Season

At the end of the first growing season, the turf appeared green, healthy, and well established.

The root zone also showed strong development.

In addition, the city reported using approximately 10% less irrigation water compared with previous municipal turf installations.

The city attributed the reduced irrigation requirement to improved soil structure and root development, which helped the soil retain water within the active root zone.

The use of Lot 125® throughout the growing season was considered an important part of the city's soil-management program and its observed water savings.

Treated and Untreated Shrubs Showed Visible Differences

An unexpected comparison occurred while the landscaping crew was planting shrubs near the City Hall parking lot.

The crew ran out of BioLynceus® products before planting was complete. Because additional product was not available that day, the remaining shrubs were planted without applications of Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream®.

This created an informal comparison between treated and untreated shrubs growing in the same landscaping project.

Over the growing season, the shrubs treated with Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream® were observed to:

  • Develop fuller above-ground growth

  • Produce more extensive root systems

  • Establish more vigorously

The untreated shrubs remained noticeably smaller and showed less root development during the same period.

Supporting Water-Efficient Municipal Landscaping

The City Hall project demonstrated how a soil-focused landscaping program combining compost, beneficial microorganisms, and root-supporting amendments can support turf and shrub establishment.

During the first growing season, the treated landscape showed healthy turf growth, strong root development, and an observed 10% reduction in irrigation water use compared with previous city turf installations.

Figure 2. The shrub on the left was treated with BioLynceus®. The shrub on the right was not treated.

Results: Healthy Turf, Stronger Roots, and Reduced Water Use

Overall, BioLynceus® products supported healthy turf and shrub establishment throughout the City Hall landscaping project.

Improved soil conditions and root-zone development contributed to better water retention in the turf area, helping the city reduce irrigation requirements and associated water costs.

The shrubs treated with Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream® were also observed to be fuller and more vigorous than the shrubs planted without treatment.

These results demonstrated the potential benefits of combining biological soil amendments with conventional landscaping practices to support:

  • Turf establishment

  • Root development

  • Soil structure

  • Water-use efficiency

  • Shrub growth

  • Long-term landscape health

Expanding the Program to More Than 100 Acres

Following the results of the City Hall landscaping project, the city chose to expand the BioLynceus® treatment program to approximately 100 additional acres of park turf and vegetation.

The expansion reflected the city's interest in using biological soil management to support healthier landscapes while improving water efficiency across larger municipal properties.

Supporting Turf, Soil, and Plant Health

BioLynceus® Lot 125® and Seaweed Cream® are designed to support soil biological activity, root-zone development, nutrient availability, and healthy plant growth in turf and landscaping applications.