Every property owner has an ideal image of a beautiful lawn. Therefore, special attention is paid to the optimal seeding of the lawn. Watering after sowing is also done conscientiously. But another success factor is often underestimated and neglected: the planting soil for lawns. From it, the grasses draw water and are supplied with the necessary nutrients. But hardly any soil offers ideal conditions for turf from the outset. It must be enhanced with the right components before sowing.
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Soil for lawn
It does not matter whether the lawn should become lush green and dense, or a colorful meadow is desired. The soil in which the grass seeds germinate always determines the further success of the lawn. The grasses have requirements that must be met satisfactorily in order for them to thrive. On the one hand, there is the elixir of life of all plants: water. And the indispensable basis for growth: nutrients. The soil should therefore have the following properties:
- Ability to absorb and store water
- nutrient richness in the required concentration
- a pH value of 5.5 to 6
In order for the grass to root well and for there to be a good supply of oxygen in the soil, the soil should also be loose and permeable.
Ability to store water
The natural water supply from rain is uneven. Both the amount and timing of rainfall vary and cannot be planned. In hot weather, the garden owner can and must help out with a water hose. But beyond that, the lawn should be able to cope without additional care. That is why it is important that the soil can absorb and store water well. But the grass roots must not stand in the water for too long either.
- Loamy soil stores water
- too high a clay content, however, makes the soil too wet
- waterlogging, however, damages the grass roots
- sand allows water to flow through well and prevents wetness
- the soil is loose and well aerated
- with too high sand portion however hardly water is stored
Note: Loamy soil also holds nutrients, while in a sandy soil they are easily washed out.
Supply of nutrients
Seeds must fall on fertile soil for the young grass to get off to an optimal start. The elements potassium, phosphate and nitrogen should be present in sufficient quantities and in the right composition. Because they are important for any type of grass. But the type of lawn determines the necessary concentration. A variegated lawn, for example, requires a lean soil. While ornamental lawn has the highest nutrient requirements. Therefore, before you sow, you should clarify two points:
- the needs of the chosen seed mixture
- the current nutrient composition in the soil
Before sowing, you should ensure an optimal supply of nutrients. If necessary, by adding fertilizer to the soil.
Analyze the initial situation
A so-called loamy sandy soil or a sandy loamy soil are ideal for sowing. But they are not always given. Pure clay soil or sandy soil must therefore be enriched with the missing component. The top layer of approx. 25 cm is decisive.
Tip: A soil analysis before sowing is highly recommended. It provides exact values on the actual situation. You will learn the soil type and the current nutrient concentration. You should use this as a guide when preparing or improving the soil.
The best planting soil for lawns
According to experts, a layer of so-called lawn soil should also be spread on top of the topsoil. It promotes rapid germination of the seed and ensures good growth. The soil for sowing lawn, whether for a new lawn or reseeding, consists of the following three components:
- Compost 50 %
- humus 30-40 %
- sand 10-20 %.
You can mix the planting soil yourself before sowing. Of course, it is much more convenient to buy the soil for the lawn in specialized stores. This is usually still enriched with fertilizer. But this special soil has its price. 40 liters cost about 10 euros.
Tip: The more clayey the soil, the higher the sand content of the planting soil should be.
Soil preparation
The best planting soil is only useful when it meets a well-prepared soil.
- Loosen, level and, if necessary, dehumidify soil.
- Allow soil to settle and recompact
Just before you seed the lawn, you should prepare the seedbed. This includes plucking out any weeds that have grown in the meantime. You must also remove root systems, stones and coarse clods of soil. Only then can you spread the special lawn soil about 0.5 to 1.5 cm thick. Then remove the last bumps and level the ground again. After that, you may sow the seeds.