Healthy grass is what every lawn fan desires. But it’s not an easy dream. It takes time, effort, and money before you can turn that green turf into a reality. It’s a long process that won’t happen overnight.
A healthy lawn requires fertile soil. For established turf, improving and maintaining the soil quality can be a challenge. The good news is that there are things to keep in mind.
Dethatching: Use Enough Thatch
Improving the lawn soil starts from removing excess thatch. As a layer of organic debris, thatch can build up on any soil. While it plays a vital role in a shiny lawn, an excessive amount can be risky. Not only can it block the sunlight and water, but it can also inhibit the grass growth.
Aside from inhibiting growth, thatch can make your lawn susceptible to insect infestation and disease. For successful dethatching, use a rake to get rid of any debris. A mulching lawn mower is also helpful. You can use it to trim the grass and avoid unnecessary thatch.
Aeration: Fast Lawn Growth
Another tested tip to improve lawn soil is core aeration. For every lawn enthusiast, regular aeration is necessary. Unlike other maintenance solutions, it’s not on a monthly basis. Yearly core aeration is advisable.
As with other methods, this solution has been gaining in popularity because it can reduce soil compaction. As it transforms compact soil into a healthy one, proper water and nutrient absorption will be possible. But wait, there’s more! Aerating also leads to deeper root growth. This makes the lawn less vulnerable to insects and drought.
But when can you aerate the lawn? Early fall is a perfect time. During this season, the soil is likely moist and the grass is growing. To aerate your turf, let a specialist handle the job for you. An expert has the experience and tools to get the job done right the first time.
Soil Fertilization: Healthy Turf
Last but not the least is soil fertilization. Called as a top-dressing, a fertilization method increases the soil fertility. Early autumn is the right season to top-dress your lawn. This allows the grass to grow before the long, cold season hits.
When looking for a perfect fertilizer, it’s not as easy as you think and testing the soil should be a top priority. After that, you can make top-dressing with a mixture of sharp sand, loam, and compost.
For newbies, figuring out the right amount of ingredients can be a burden. Don’t worry! Just determine the kind of soil you have. Is it loamy soil? Then, an equal amount of all components is awesome. Do you have clay soil? A little amount of loam is good.
Low-quality lawn? Or pest-damaged turf? Whatever the case may be, the soil is what’s to blame. Get rid of the extra thatch, aerate yearly, and apply organic fertilizer. That’s it! Green and thick grasses will be a reality.