Soil preparation is not an art but rather a science. You need to take care of the dosage of everything your soil needs. Whether it’s water, fertilizers or pesticides, a careful preparation can make all the difference between a green, healthy lawn and a poorly grown one. All the landscaping companies insist on the right nutrition at the right time to get the best results.
- Weeding – Removing weeds is essential. Whether you use mowing, hand picking, or weed spray depends on the severity of infestation. If you have a big infestation of weeds, you should always spray them out first and then start other tasks two weeks later. Try to opt for low chemical or chemical free weed killers.
- Aeration – Check if the soil of your lawn is hard and compact. If yes, use a pitchfork or spade to turn over the soil to a depth of 12 inches. If the lawn is vast use an aerator for the task. Landscaping companies also offer different aeration services.
- Levelling – Levelling is important for lawns. This helps to fill and fix potholes and depressions in your lawn. Fill the holes and level with a spade or back of a rake. Once the soil has been leveled, it should be lightly firmed down to knock out large air pockets and prevent the soil level from dropping too much.
- pH testing – Before adding any fertilizers or pesticides, we suggest soil testing. Soil testing reveals the oil pH and amount of available nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). If major modifications are needed, it is easier to make these prior to establishing the lawn.
- Fertilizers and manure – Starter fertilizers should be mixed into the soil surface prior to lawn establishment. These are typically high in phosphorous. Balanced fertilizers have a balanced ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, K). Manure is a natural fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. You can use it as a fertilizer, mix it with other ingredients to create your own lawn food, or layer it on grass as a thin mulch. Manure helps in keeping your lawn healthy with its high nitrogen and phosphorus content.
- Watering – Every lawn has specific water needs depending on the climate, fertilizers and manure used, and the soil. Get the right instructions from a lawn care company about the water requirement of your lawn for proper nutrition absorption and moisture regulation.
Now your lawn is ready to grow anything you want. Go out and experiment!
