To Build the Perfect Home Lawn, here’s what you need to Know
There’s a lot that goes into soil preparation when it comes to building a successful home lawn. How well the soil and site are prepped for the installation of a home lawn plays a key role into how well a lawn takes to its surroundings.
The first step to any soil preparation begins with eliminating weeds across the site. Prior to seeding, perennial weeds need to be handled. Among the options homeowners use to keep weeds under control include digging them up by hand or using systemic herbicide. Be it chemical in nature or organic, it is important to follow label directions when applying a weed control product.
Though some believe weed control to be the sole preparation to installing a lawn, prior to seeding, work the soil. For soils that are not top quality, adding organic matter is required. Consider compose, peat, and quality topsoil. Please note that sand is not a recommended material to improve low quality soil. Adding organic material comes with a wealth of different benefits, not just associated with improving soil structure. With it, there comes micro-organisms that help to absorb nutrients in the soil and that build life. Also, instead of layering organic material on the surface of the soil, mix it. Ideally, lawns should have a minimum of six inches of thoroughly prepared soil.
Soil testing is an aspect of building the perfect lawn that some may skip over but it does warrant attention. By testing the soil when you are planning your lawn project, you can see the oil pH and the nutrients in the soil. If nutrients need to be added or changes made, soil testing in the planning stages can help save money on implementing those modifications. When soil is being prepped, the mixing of fertilizer high in phosphorous is recommended. If a ‘starter fertilizer’ is not available, selecting a ‘balanced fertilizer’ (i.e. rich in balanced nutrients) can be used. Any fertilizer requirements should become evident at the soil testing stage.
Among the final points we want to make when it comes to building the perfect home lawn, identifying the final grade is something that requires discussion. Removing rock and other debris is a necessity. Any construction debris that is allowed to remain in the soil may cause problems down the line, in terms of the grass growing overtop. Any depressions or raised areas should be carefully flattened.
There is definitely an art to building the right lawn that goes beyond the basics of lawn care. Ideally, one wants to complete all of this work when it’s not too wet or dry. That way, the soil will perform the way you expect it to and should not provide much issue.
Invest the time to prepare the soil and site appropriately. By ignoring what it takes to create the perfect lawn, it can lead to an assortment of problems down the line that could very well destroy the look of your property. Remember, before doing any seeding or sodding, always soil test, make any nutrient or soil amendments as needed, ensure there is uniformity to the subsoil, and complete final grading. By following through on these steps, you set yourself up for success and maximize the opportunities on your property to have the best lawn possible.
