Choosing the best lawn soil is vital if you are looking to grow lush greenery in your front or backyard gardens. It pays off in the long run.
This guide will fill you in on everything you need to know about choosing the type of lawn soil for your garden.
Related: How To Prepare Organic Garden Soil To Boost Plant Growth
Ultimate Guide in Choosing the Best Lawn Soil for Your Garden
Why It Is Important to Choose the Best Lawn Soil for Your Garden
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Contrary to what many people think, the secret to a healthy and beautiful lawn has more to do with the type of lawn soil you have than how well you take care of your garden.
Nutrients aside, a healthy lawn also calls for the right amount of moisture retention and drainage. The wrong soil type will retain too much water or dry out your garden, both of which will lead to an unhealthy lawn.
When to Start Looking for the Best Soil for Your Lawn
Summer is coming to an end, but the heatwave might have caused some damages to your topsoil. This transition to the fall might be excellent timing to renovate your lawn with new soil.
Another indicator is dead grass. If you have been dealing with brown grass throughout summer, it might be time to start looking into changing your lawn’s topsoil.
Recent construction is also an indicator. During ground levelling, the soil is turned and tossed, causing the topsoil and the subsoil to mix.
Lastly, if nothing flourishes in your garden even with the best care, there is a high chance you have poor lawn soil.
Where to Get Your Lawn Soil Tested
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A simple soil test can confirm whether you need to upgrade your lawn soil. With a soil test kit sold in garden stores, you can test your lawn soil for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, as well as the pH level.
However, more detailed soil tests are conducted in private, corporate, or university laboratories in your area. These tests inform you of:
- The test will determine the type of soil based on texture which is the relative composition of silt, sand, and clay.
- The soil test will also state the exact pH level of your lawn soil.
- Lastly, the test results will indicate the nutrient content alongside the soil type.
It is advisable to regularly test your soil to know its condition and how to improve it.
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RELATED: 5 Tips to Achieve A Picture-Perfect Lawn
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Lawn Soil
- pH Level
First, you need to decide the acidic or alkaline level of the soul you want for your lawn. In most cases, this is dictated by the plants you are growing, but most plants will thrive in a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. There are some exceptions like strawberries and blueberries that prefer lower than 5.5 pH.
- Nutrient Levels
Nitrogen is the most vital nutrient for plant growth, but plants also need calcium, potassium, and phosphorous, among other nutrients. While these nutrients can be added to the soil through fertilizer application, it’s better if you have them already in your soil.
- Type of Plant
The plants or vegetation you are looking to grow will heavily dictate the kind of soil you should go for. After all, composition affects drainage, moisture retention, tilth, aeration, nutrients holding capacity, and compaction, all of which are vital for plant survival.
- Topsoil Depth
Topsoil depth is another overlooked yet vital factor in growing a healthy lawn. The active topsoil needs to be between four to six inches to accommodate the full length of the roots.
What Is the Best Soil Type for Your Lawn
There are four main types of soil:
- Sand
Sand has the largest particles and spaces, which makes it drain water too fast, leaving no window to retain some moisture. Growing grass on sand soil will deprive it of water.
- Clay
Clay, on the other hand, has the finest particles that are tightly packed together, which makes it deficient in drainage. Vegetation growing on clay soil will suffer from too much water which eventually leads to rotting.
- Silt
Silt soil particle consistency is between clay and sand, hence has excellent drainage and moisture retention properties.
- Loam
A mixture of these three, however, is ideal for most plants. Aside from excellent drainage and moisture retention, loamy soil is less compact which allows aeration, natural root growth, and tillage.
Other soil types can be amended with organic matter to achieve a loamy texture. This article here will guide you on everything you need to know about how to enhance your lawn soil.
Watch this video from Lowe’s Product Guides on how to choose the right soil:
There you go, fellow green thumbs. Selecting the best lawn soil can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. With these tips, you are equipped with the right knowledge to find the best soil for your lawn, and I bet you will choose the right one.
Aside from soil, what other factors do you think are vital in keeping your lawn healthy? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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