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Every property owner has an ideal of a beautiful lawn. Therefore, special attention is paid to optimal lawn seed. Watering after sowing is also done conscientiously. But another success factor is often underestimated and neglected: the potting soil for lawns. The grasses draw water from it and are supplied with the necessary nutrients. But hardly any soil offers ideal conditions for lawns from the outset. It must be upgraded with the correct components before seeding.
soil for lawn
It doesn't matter whether the lawn should be lush green and dense, or whether a colorful meadow is desired. The soil in which the grass seeds germinate always decides whether the lawn will continue to grow. The grasses have requirements that must be satisfactorily met in order for them to thrive. On the one hand, there is the elixir of life for all plants: water. And the indispensable basis for growth: nutrients. The floor should therefore have the following properties:
- Ability to absorb and store water
- Rich in nutrients in the required concentration
- a pH of 5.5 to 6
So that the grass roots well and there is a good oxygen supply 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 amounts of precipitation and the time intervals vary and cannot be planned. In the heat, the garden owner can and must help with the water hose. But beyond that, the lawn should be able to cope without additional care. It is therefore important that the earth can absorb and store water well. But the grass roots must not stand in the water for too long.
- Clay parts store water
- However, too much clay makes the soil too wet
- However, waterlogging damages the grass roots
- Sand allows the water to flow through well and prevents wetness
- the soil is loose and well aerated
- however, if the sand content is too high, hardly any water is stored
notice: Clay parts also hold the nutrients, while these are easily washed out in a sandy soil.
Supply of sewing materials
The seed must fall on fertile soil so that the young grass can start optimally. The elements potassium, phosphate and nitrogen should be present in sufficient quantities and in the correct composition. Because they are important for every type of grass. But the type of lawn determines the necessary concentration. A colorful meadow, for example, requires poor soil. While ornamental lawns have the highest nutrient requirements. Before you sow, you should therefore clarify two points:
- the needs of the chosen seed mix
- 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 starting position
So-called loamy sandy soil or sandy loam soil is ideal for sowing. But they are not always given. Pure clay soils or sandy soils must therefore be enriched with the missing component. The top layer of approx. 25 cm is decisive.
tip: A soil analysis before sowing is strongly recommended. It provides exact values for 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 potting soil for lawns
According to experts, a layer of so-called lawn soil should also be spread over the topsoil. It promotes rapid germination of the seed and ensures good growth. The soil for sowing a lawn, whether for a new lawn or for reseeding, consists of the following three components:
- compost 50%
- Hummus 30-40%
- Sand 10-20%
You can mix the potting soil yourself before sowing. Of course, it is much more convenient to buy the soil for the lawn in a specialist shop. This is usually enriched with fertilizer. But this special earth has its price. 40 l costs about 10 euros.
fresh patch of grass
tip: The more loamy the soil is, the higher the proportion of sand in the potting soil should be.
soil preparation
The best potting soil is only useful when it meets well-prepared soil.
- Loosen, level and, if necessary, dehumidify the soil
- Let the soil settle and recompact
Just before you sow the lawn, you should prepare the seedbed. This includes pulling out weeds that have grown in the meantime. Roots, stones and large clods of earth must also be removed. 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 floor again. Then you can spread the seeds.