How to Improve Soil for Grass Growing

Use shovels and tillers to work amendments into soil.

Grass, like any plant, requires certain soil conditions in order to grow to its full potential. Different grass types need soils of different pH levels, and the amount of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can mean the difference between a thriving lawn and a dead lawn. The physical characteristics of a soil affect growing grass as much as the chemical characteristics; compacted soil or a soil with an abundance of sand or clay particles can result in irrigation and drainage issues. Fortunately, homeowners can add amendments to the soil to improve these issues prior to planting grass. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Soil test kit
• Soil amendments
• Starter grass fertilizer
• Organic materials
• Tiller
• Aerator

Instructions

1. Test the soil to identify which components need improvement at least two months prior to planting the grass. Purchase a commercial testing kit at a garden supply store or submit a soil sample to your local university cooperative extension following the directions on its website. Send the sample to the tester's laboratory for analysis.

2. Perform a physical test on the soil to roughly determine its texture. Lightly moisten the soil and form it into a small ball. Pinch the ball between your thumb and fingers and watch how the soil reacts. Sandy soil falls apart into particles, loam soil crumbles and clay soil forms a ribbon rather than falls apart.

3. Study the results of the soil test to determine what types of amendments to add to the soil. Check the notes on the test, as many laboratories offer suggestions as to what types of amendments to use, as well as the recommended amount to use.

4. Till the soil to a depth of 6 to 12 inches. Tilling the soil loosens the soil and prepares it for the added soil amendments.

5. Layer the amendments and a starter grass fertilizer evenly over the soil. Spread an additional 1 to 3 inch layer of organic materials, such as compost or peat, over the soil if the tests showed that the organic matter in the soil is lacking, or if the physical test showed the soil to be sandy or clay-based.

6. Till the amendments into the top 6 to 12 inches of tilled soil. Make two passes to fully mix the amendments into the ground.

7. Improve the soil without tilling if the grass is already established. Aerify compacted soil with an aerator, making two passes to penetrate the ground in several locations. Conduct a soil test to determine what nutrients are lacking, then apply fertilizers and nutrient blends to improve the chemical conditions in the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid amending the soil without performing a soil test. Adding an abundance of chemicals to the ground can be as disastrous as soil lacking in nutrients. Always amend the soil using the test results and product labeling as guides.

References

• North Dakota State University: Evaluation, Preparation and Amending Lawn and Garden Soil
• Ohio State University Extension: Lawn Establishment - Soil Modification
• University of Missouri Extension: Improving Lawn and Landscape Soils
• Rain: Soil Types and Testing
• University of Minnesota Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series: Modifying Soil pH

Resources

• Read this Article in UK English