The condition of the soil in lawns and landscaping determines how well the plants and grass will thrive. Factors such as soil porosity, pH, nutrient levels and amount of air throughout the soil play an important role in plant health and growth. There are treatments available to correct soils that are lacking in nutrients, have an unbalanced pH, and have problems with porosity and available oxygen. First identify what the soil is lacking and then correct it with the corresponding treatments.
Nutrient Treatments
The organic matter of soil only makes up a small fraction of the soil, but is critical for providing nutrients to plants. Organic matter consists of decomposed animals and plant life. The amount of organic matter in the soil can be raised by adding compost, animal manure, mulch or peat moss.
pH Treatments
The proper, neutral, pH for soil should be between 6.5 and 6.8. This pH level allows the nutrients that are critical for plant growth to be absorbed most efficiently. To treat acidic soil (soil with a pH below 6.5), powdered limestone should be added to the soil. The limestone takes several months to affect the soil, so it should be added in the fall. Wood ash also helps to raise pH and acts more quickly than limestone. The wood ash treatment should be applied in the winter. If the soil's pH is alkaline (above 6.8), sulfur should be added to lower the pH. For a more natural treatment, acidic organic materiel, such as sawdust, peat moss and oak leaves, can be added to the soil.
Porosity Treatments
Heavy soils that contain large amounts of clay are very difficult for growing plants. The heavy clay does not allow for water to drain down and can cause plants to become too wet. The treatment for a soil that is not porous enough is to add additional organic matter into the top 8 inches of the soil. This can be done using a tractor or a garden tiller. Soil can also be too porous, such as sandy soils, and cause nutrients and water to just run off. Sandy soil can be corrected by adding well-rotted manure, wood chips and 2 inches of organic matter every year.
Aerating Treatments
Aerating is most often performed on lawns. When soil remains in the same place, it can become too compact; this reduces the amount of water and nutrients that are able to reach the plants roots. Aeration treatments can be done with a core aerating machine and should be performed in the summer or early fall. The aerating should be completed every 3 years.
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