What are signs of unhealthy soil?
- Category: Commercial
- Date: 05-09-2017
If you’re wondering how to improve your soil and what the best soil improver is, then this blog post will help! We’ll go over how to improve clay and sandy soils as well as identify which products are right for your lawn.
What are signs of unhealthy soil?
There are a few things that you will want to look out for to see if there is something going wrong with your soil. If it’s hard and dry, lacking nutrients or too wet – these could be signs of unhealthy soil.
Yellowing of the grass or dead patches are also signs of poor soil conditions
Nothing will grow in my soil, what can I do?
If you have a soil that is clay-like and difficult to grow anything in, or very sandy and dry, it may be best to look into some organic products. Organic products add humus to the soil, which will loosen it up and make it easier for roots to spread.
It will also provide food for thousands of microorganisms living in the soil. These organisms create healthy growing conditions for plants to thrive in.
How to improve your clay soil
The best way to improve your soil is by adding anything organic. Adding manure, compost or liquid fertilisers will make the best impact on loosening up clay-like dirt or making it more nutrient rich for grass roots to spread through.
The best part about these products is that they can be added anytime of year! You don’t have to wait until winter, although autumn can be a great time to encourage worm activity.
How do you enrich poor soil naturally?
Top dressing with compost or topsoil and adding organic matter is best for an area that has poor soil and needs a nutrient boost.
You can also leave grass clippings or leaves on the surface which will provide food for worms , and in turn help the lawn to develop deep roots, making it more drought tolerant in future seasons.
Do worms in soil help plants grow?
Yes! Worms are great helpers in the soil and can help lawn care enthusiasts get a better looking lawn.. Earthworms aerate your soil and leave behind nutrient-rich castings that plants will be able to take advantage of.
Worms convert organic matter such as leaves into fertilizer, rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. They bring oxygen into the soil and their tunnels allow roots to spread easily through loosened clay or sand.
How to increase worms in soil
Leaving leaves on the surface of the soil will attract earthworms. Leaving grass clippings on your lawn after you mow can also encourage worms and help with fertilizing efforts.
Be careful not to leave too many leaves or grass clippings on the lawn or you could end up smothering your grass if you do not collect them, which will kill the grass and undo all of your hard work.
You can collect the clippings and leaves throughout the season and add them to a compost heap and then apply the following year as a compost top dressing once they are well rotted.
What can I add to my garden soil to make it better?
Adding a top dressing of compost, leaf mould or other organic matter will provide much needed nutrients to your soil and encourage worms.
It is also possible to buy earthworm farms that can be put into the ground that are made from recycled plastic which encourages more worms in the garden as well as providing an endless supply of food for them!
What are good things to use?
Bone Meal – this natural fertiliser can be used on both clay and sandy soil as it will release nutrients slowly over time, helping your lawn become greener.
Gypsum/ humic acid – if you have a sandy garden, then these products will help the soil retain moisture.
How do you apply?
Apply Bone Meal in the spring and autumn and spread evenly across your lawn. Spread lightly and water heavily to prevent scorch.
Gypsum/ humic acid should be applied at least twice a year, preferably before rain. After applying these products, water the soil to get it down into the root zone.
How can we improve soil cheaply?
The cheapest way to improve soil cheaply is by adding organic matter such as grass clippings, leaves or compost. This will encourage worms and help the grass have a deeper root system which can be beneficial for future seasons.
Adding top dressing with soil or even simply applying some fertilizer will also make an impact on your lawn without costing you too much money
An organic fertiliser liquid such as compost tea is also an inexpensive way to get your soil in good shape.
Compost tea is an effective, natural way to fertilize your lawn.
It can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizer and it’s safe for everyone around the garden because it doesn’t contain any chemicals or additives.
Compost tea also has the added bonus of stimulating plant growth and helping to break down organic matter in your soil. You don’t need a garden compost heap either: you can make your own easily
Can I put topsoil over an existing lawn?
If you want to improve it, adding topsoil is best. This will give the grass a nutrient boost which can help with greening up and reducing any thatch and moss that could be growing in your lawn. Be careful not to add too much soil and smother the lawn, but adding about an inch of soil all over will make a huge difference.
Can I spread topsoil with a spreader?
You can spread topsoil with a spreader. This is best to help get an even distribution of the soil, but be careful not to add too much! Add about an inch all over your lawn.
The soil will need to be dry beforehand so that it flows easily through the spreader.
Can I put top soil on my lawn without a spreader?
Yes. All you’ll need is some elbow grease. Spreading the soil by hand may take longer than using a fertiliser/soil spreader but may also be a lot simpler.
Grab a shovel and broadcast the soil evenly over the lawn. Working it into the surface with a brush will help the soil break down and reach the soil surface, which will be easier for your lawn to absorb.
How much topsoil should I add to my soil?
Adding about an inch of soil all over your lawn, or 1 tonne per 100 square metres, but it’s best to not go overboard! Adding too much can smother or kill off grass so be careful. Ensure the tips of the grass are still showing before you stop adding soil.
What is the best topsoil for grass?
The best topsoil will be a 70/30 sand to soil mix. This will ensure that the soil has enough nutrients to feed your grass, but isn’t too rich. It also provides a nice balance of water retention and drainage.
The sand will also help to level out any dips or bumps in your lawn and provide a nice level surface for the grass to grow on making it easier to mow.
Should I aerate before top dressing?
Aerating your soil before top dressing is a great idea because the holes in the ground will provide an easier way for the soil to get into the grass’ root system and mix in with the existing soil.
It also provides holes which allow water and air to reach the roots, which will help the grass grow stronger and healthier.
Organic fertilisers and top dressings are a great way to add nutrients back into your lawn that have been lost over the years. If you’re looking for help with this process or just want someone to do it for you contact us today.