A well-maintained lawn is the highlight of every garden. No wonder that every gardener here wants to do his best and meticulously plans and monitors everything from sowing to mowing the lawn. But a he althy and beautiful lawn doesn't just require good seeds. Rather, it is the soil that serves as the basis and determines whether the lawn is attractive or not.
Opinions differ
If you ask different experts about lawn soil, you will most likely get a wide variety of answers on this topic. Opinions regarding the right lawn soil vary widely. The fact is, however, that the lawn soil is always based on the type of lawn. As we all know, not all lawns are the same. There is the playing lawn, which has to be particularly robust, and the decorative lawn, which simply has to look beautiful. Therefore, some basic characteristics that speak for a well-maintained lawn and that relate to the lawn soil should be put together here.
Features
Lawn soil must always be durable in the first step. Regardless of whether it is a play lawn or an ornamental lawn, if the composition of the soil is not right, the lawn will not thrive. In addition, lawn soil must be permeable to water. It must therefore not be too heavy, otherwise the roots of the lawn cannot be adequately supplied with water and nutrients. If it is balanced enough so that the lawn can grow well, many of the requirements for a beautiful lawn are met.
Tip:
If you decide on rolled turf, then it comes with a small amount of ideal lawn soil. The soil in your own garden therefore only needs to be adjusted superficially.
Composition of the Earth
In order to obtain good lawn soil, the composition must be right. Experts recommend using a high compost content of at least 50%. The compost is so nutrient-rich that the lawn is well supplied for years to come. The rest of the lawn soil should consist of around 35% humus and 15% sand. When everything is mixed well, you get the ideal lawn soil. This composition guarantees good drainage, which prevents water from stagnating, but still provides the roots with sufficient water.
This composition also makes the soil rich in nitrogen, phosphate and potassium oxide. Substances that young lawns in particular urgently need to grow. The PH value of the lawn soil you prepare yourself should be between 5.5 and 6.0. Corresponding tests can be carried out quite easily. Fertilizer, on the other hand, should only be added when the lawn has been growing for some time and the prepared lawn soil has lost its own nutrients.
Tip:
Soil can never contain enough nutrients. For this reason, you don't have to worry that too much "good" soil could harm the lawn. Quite the opposite.
Mix it yourself
Of course it would be easy to buy ready-made lawn soil from stores. Specialist retailers in particular have sufficient products available in this regard. However, this is not tailored to the existing soil and, in the worst case, could not serve as well as one might imagine. For this reason, it is advisable to mix the right lawn soil yourself.
Tip:
The substances required for the right mixture can be obtained from your own garden or from specialist retailers. In addition, you should always think about the required working materials, which make mixing easier and are essential for soil preparation.
The Underground
But it's not just the right lawn soil that determines good growth. The surface also has to be right. It is important that the existing soil is loosened and straightened well. A lawn should always be as straight as possible to make watering easier.
The self-made lawn soil can then be applied to the existing soil in a layer of around 0.5 to 1.5 cm. Here too, a flat surface should be created so that the lawn is nice to look at in the end. After sowing the lawn seeds, it is important that they are pressed down well. The final watering provides the required moisture and allows the seed to germinate quickly.
Required work materials
It is impossible to create a perfect lawn without suitable working materials. Because the soil can be so good. If it is not prepared properly, the conditions for the lawn are not optimal.
To be able to create good soil as a basis for the lawn. A roller is required. It attaches the seeds to the lawn after sowing. The lawn soil can be applied and distributed with a bucket. The rake helps with distribution and creates a smooth surface free of larger clods of soil. It is also advisable to mark out the lawn area with a ribbon and various posts. If it is very windy or the birds keep pecking at the seeds, it can also be helpful to place an old curtain over the area until the seeds have sprouted and the birds are no longer interested in them.
Frequently asked questions
Why should you mix lawn soil yourself?
Every soil is different. For this reason, self-mixed soil can be used to more closely match existing soil than soil purchased from stores. Even if there is special lawn soil.
What substances should be included?
When it comes to the substances required, compost is the focus. It makes up about half of the lawn soil. In addition, 35% humus and 15% sand are required. The sand loosens the soil properly and ensures that a lot of water can reach the lawn. In addition, it acts like a drainage and thus prevents waterlogging.
How thick should the layer of special lawn soil be?
Since lawns only have shallow roots, the lawn soil only needs to be applied as a thin layer. 0.5 to 1.5 cm is sufficient. However, care should be taken to ensure that the layer is evenly distributed and that there are no unevenness.
