- The main methods of soil analysis
- Which indicator plants grow on the ground?
- Measure the acidity of the soil
- Have the soil sample analyzed in the laboratory
- tips and tricks
If the lawn is not growing properly, there can be various reasons for this. The most common lawn problems come from the soil. It contains too little or too much of certain substances. A soil analysis shows what the lawn is suffering from.
The main methods of soil analysis
- Observe pointer plants
- measure acidity
- Have the soil sample tested in the laboratory
Which indicator plants grow on the ground?
Plants that grow particularly well on certain soils are referred to as indicator plants. Frequent occurrence of stinging nettles shows that the soil is very rich in nitrogen. Wild dandelion thrives on poor soil with a high lime content. Field clover indicates a nitrogen deficiency, while plantain is common on compacted soil.
Many problems can be solved just by observing. The supply of nitrogen, humus or loosening and drainage of the soil ensure that the soil in the lawn is significantly improved.
Measure the acidity of the soil
To find out if the soil is too acidic for a lawn, you can use a special pH meter that you can borrow from gardening stores.
The Neudorff company also offers a pH soil test in which small soil samples are placed in special solutions. The pH value can then be easily read off.
The sticks that are often offered for checking work rather unreliably. This also applies to household remedies such as baking powder and vinegar, which are used by some hobby gardeners.
Have the soil sample analyzed in the laboratory
If you want to know exactly what the soil is missing or has too much of, take a soil sample about four inches deep and put it in a clean plastic bag.
Send the tightly closed bag to a soil laboratory, which will carry out an examination. The cost of the test is between 10 and 50 euros. But it's worth the expense because after a few days you'll know exactly what's causing the lawn problems.
Together with the laboratory results, you will receive a recommendation as to which fertilizer compensates for the deficiencies found.
tips and tricks
When mowing the lawn, use a mulching mower. Then you can simply leave the cut, chopped grass. It decomposes, loosens it and supplies the lawn with important nutrients.