For the lawn to grow healthily, regular mowing and balanced fertilization is not enough - instead, a good basis for growth must be created with an optimally composed lawn soil. From which components the substrate should be mixed and what you should pay attention to when buying.

Lawn soil consists of compost, sand and humus

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. What is lawn soil?
  3. What do you need lawn soil for?
  4. Where can you buy lawn soil?
  5. Can you mix lawn soil yourself?
  6. Apply lawn soil correctly
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • Lawn soil is a special, industrially produced substrate mixture that is intended to provide optimal growth conditions for different types of lawn.
    • They apply the lawn soil directly to the topsoil, creating a loose, permeable and nutrient-rich base.
    • Ideally, lawn soil consists of 50 percent compost, 40 percent humus and 10 percent sand. The addition of peat is not necessary.
    • Good lawn soil can also be mixed by yourself as required.

    What is lawn soil?

    Lawn soil is ideal for growing lawns

    Lawn soil is nothing more than a special substrate mixture that is intended to enable the optimal growth of lawn grass. You apply the mixture evenly to the prepared topsoil, level it and then sow the lawn - or lay ready-made turf if you need it to be quick. Depending on the product and manufacturer, lawn soil has a very different composition. However, this is not only due to the different philosophy of the manufacturers - there are quite different opinions about the ideal composition of lawn soil - but also depends on the condition of the garden soil.

    For example, sandy soil needs a lawn soil that has a higher proportion of compost and humus and a rather low sand content. A loamy subsoil, on the other hand, tolerates a balancing substrate mixture with an equally high proportion of compost and sand - this ensures the necessary permeability of the soil, because waterlogging must not form. You will find the right lawn soil for every soil composition, especially since the substrate must also be adapted to the type of lawn - after all, lawns for play and ornamental lawns have completely different needs.

    properties

    Lawn soil ideally fulfills several properties that enable healthy growth of the grass:

    • loose composition
    • water permeable
    • both enable the best possible root growth
    • nutritious, rich in humus
    • durable

    The composition of the lawn soil not only has to meet the requirements of the grass growing on it, but above all it has to be hard-wearing. This means that the subsoil padded with it can withstand any stress and does not become compacted. This point is mainly relevant for commercial and play lawns, but must not be neglected for ornamental lawns either.

    Optimal composition of lawn soil

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    In order for the lawn soil to fulfill all of these properties, it needs a special composition. In order to provide the hungry grasses with sufficient nutrients and also to create a good basis that will last for years, a high compost content of at least 50 percent makes sense. The second most important component of the substrate is humus, which should make up about 30 to 40 percent. Finally, sand provides the necessary permeability and looseness; a proportion of around 10 to 15 percent is ideal here.

    This composition also ensures exactly the right mix of important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. In addition, the pH value should be between 5.5 and 6, as this is where grass grows best. An addition of extra fertilizer is not necessary. Only fertilize later, when the lawn has already grown vigorously for a while.

    digression

    Why you should give preference to peat-free lawn soil

    Peat was and is still used in many ready-made plant substrates and also as pure garden soil. However, the material has now fallen into disrepute for ecological reasons, which is why you are better off avoiding it. Peat is mined in bogs, with the result that valuable habitats for rare plant and animal species are irrevocably lost. In addition, moors are important CO2 stores, but their storage effect also decreases due to peat extraction - with serious consequences for the climate. Peat is not a recommended ingredient for lawn soil anyway, since the same effect can also be achieved with compost and humus.

    What do you need lawn soil for?

    Lawn soil also makes it easier for turf to take root

    Lawn soil - regardless of whether it is a bought or your own mixture - forms a good growth basis for every lawn. In this way, the young grasses remain healthy from the start and can develop strong roots. Above all, however, the use of lawn soil levels uneven ground so that the surface appears even and without unsightly bumps and bumps. Lawn soil is suitable for sowing as well as for rolled turf, lawn tiles or other ready-made lawns, for new plants as well as for repairing individual spots.

    Where can you buy lawn soil?

    If you want to buy ready-made lawn soil for the garden, you will find different mixtures from all common manufacturers and brands. Corresponding offers can be found at these locations:

    • Garden stores or hardware stores with a garden department
    • Discounters and supermarkets (not in the permanent range, but occasionally as a special offer)
    • various online dealers for garden and plant mail order
    • various trading platforms on the Internet (e.g. Amazon, eBay etc.)
    • directly on the websites of the preferred brand/manufacturer (e.g. Neudorff, Compo, Floragard etc.)

    If you prefer to mix the lawn soil yourself, you can either find the components you need in your own garden or you can also buy the missing ingredients from the places mentioned. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the composition of the selected substrate, because not every lawn soil is suitable for every soil. In addition, discounter offers in particular are often of low quality or contain a large proportion of peat.

    Which lawn soil is the right one?

    "The best lawn soil consists of 50 percent compost, 40 percent humus and 10 percent sand."

    Lawn soil is not always the same as lawn soil. There are various mixtures with different compositions. But which one is the right one? These criteria will help you in your decision:

    • Type and composition of the subsoil: Since the most important functions of lawn soil are the balance to a composition of the topsoil that is rather unfavorable for grasses, the subsoil type is one of the most important decision-making factors. Sandy soil needs lawn soil that is particularly rich in humus and nutrients, while loamy soil needs a mixture with a high proportion of sand. Soil that is too acidic tolerates calcareous lawn soil, while alkaline soil tolerates a mixture with rock dust rich in silicon.(14.13€)
    • lawn type: A basic distinction is made between playing and sports turf (utility turf), decorative turf and shaded turf. All of these species have different needs for their substrate, which is why you choose the lawn soil according to these special needs. Shady lawn tolerates a somewhat lean substrate, which should also be particularly permeable and, if necessary, balance out an acidic pH value. Commercial turf, on the other hand, must be very hard-wearing and must not compact under load - here, too, permeability and looseness are the top priority.
    • application form: The desired application of the lawn soil is also relevant for the choice of variety. Depending on whether you want to create a new lawn or repair it, regenerate or repair a stressed and damaged lawn, different substrate mixtures make sense. Which should be your first choice here also depends on the subsoil.
    • Special compositions: You can buy lawn soil complete with grass seed, you only have to spread it over the lawn and do not need to sow it separately. Extra fertilized lawn soil, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for lean soils or rather demanding lawn mixtures.

    What does lawn soil cost?

    How deep you have to dig into your wallet for lawn soil depends entirely on the brand you choose and the composition of the product. There is

    • pure lawn soil
    • Lawn soil with fertilizer
    • Lawn soil with grass seeds already mixed in
    • Lawn soil with sand / quartz sand

    Depending on the manufacturer and the ingredients, the prices range from around 20 cents to around EUR 1.30 per liter. Since you usually need a lot of lawn soil, depending on the intended area, there are packs with 20, 40, 60, 70 or even 100 liters on the market.

    Can you mix lawn soil yourself?

    If you want to mix lawn soil yourself, you only need three basic substances:

    • compost
    • humus
    • sand

    With a share of about 50 percent, nutrient-rich compost makes up the largest and most important part of the self-assembled lawn soil. For this you use mature garden compost, which consists of mixed garden and kitchen waste and has a neutral pH value.

    If a strongly alkaline substrate is to be balanced, mix in a proportion of acidic leaf humus - the desired pH value should ultimately result. Alternatively, you can also use bark humus or rhododendron soil. Bought humus soil is very suitable for the humus content - or you can remove the valuable soil from molehills and sieve it through. Quartz sand is suitable as sand (15.85 €) but also play sand.

    Depending on the substrate and nutrient requirements, you can also mix in primary rock flour or rock flour rich in silicon, horn flour or horn shavings (32.93€) or a mineral long-term fertilizer. The stone flour provides an extra portion of minerals and helps to improve the soil structure, while the fertilizers supply the growing lawn with nitrogen. This nutrient is particularly important for the growth of grasses.

    digression

    Before mixing comes the soil analysis

    But be careful: Before adding these substances, first have a soil analysis carried out so that you do not accidentally risk over-fertilization or undersupply. You take several samples of the topsoil (not the lawn soil you mixed yourself!) and send them to a specialist laboratory for soil analysis. You will then receive a detailed list of the nutrients contained and tips for optimal fertilization.

    Use lawn soil correctly

    Before and after sowing or laying the lawn, the lawn soil is rolled

    Whether you buy it or mix it yourself, use the finished lawn soil as follows:

    1. Preparation of the subsoil
    2. Digging and loosening the topsoil
    3. Removing weeds and other organic materials, as well as stones
    4. Level the surface and rake smooth
    5. Finely crumble larger chunks of earth
    6. Apply lawn soil evenly to the subsoil
    7. Level and roll the surface
    8. No bumps should remain.
    9. Sow lawn seeds or lay ready-made lawn
    10. Roll the surface again
    11. Water the area vigorously

    Rolling the seed is important so that the seeds are pressed down and not blown away by the next breeze. The seeds also germinate very unevenly on uneven lawns, which later results in an inconsistent overall picture. Newly laid lawns may not be walked on at first, but you should definitely water them regularly and vigorously. This supports germination and later root development. The surfaces must never dry out!

    digression

    Sow the lawn or lay out the turf?

    Instead of sowing the lawn, you can simply lay turf on the prepared area. This has the advantage that you do not have to wait long for germination and grass growth, but have a finished lawn immediately. However, rolled turf is not cheap and is therefore particularly suitable for smaller areas.

    frequently asked Questions

    What else do I have to do before applying lawn soil and lawn seed?

    Of course, it is not enough to simply spread lawn soil on the intended lawn area and then sow it. A little more preparation is necessary, because the subsoil must also be loosened well, freed from weeds and stones and then straightened. Only then do you apply the lawn soil.

    When do you sow a lawn?

    Spring is the ideal time to sow lawns. If the weather is suitable - temperatures above 12 degrees Celsius - you can start sowing between March and April. However, the ground should be frost-free, and a few warm days are also an advantage - the earth should already have warmed up a bit. If there is a threat of late frost or wintry weather, do not sow. In this case, just wait a little longer until the temperatures are more stable and the sun is stronger.

    Do I have to fertilize the lawn before sowing?

    If you apply lawn soil with a high proportion of compost and humus before sowing, additional fertilization is not necessary. The substrate is pre-fertilized anyway, if bought ready-made, and contains all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities and in an optimal composition. Even lawn soil that you have mixed yourself is rich in nutrients with the recipes we have given and no longer needs to be fertilized. However, you must ensure that freshly sown lawns are always kept slightly moist - this will help them to germinate better.

    How thick does the layer of lawn soil have to be?

    Since the types of grass mixed for common lawns all have shallow roots, the layer of lawn soil can be applied very thinly. A thickness of about one to one and a half centimeters is sufficient. However, make sure that you distribute the substrate evenly and level any unevenness before sowing.

    tips

    Lawns should be watered less frequently, but vigorously and thoroughly. Avoid giving less water at short intervals. Here the water does not get deep enough into the soil, so that the roots grow very shallow instead of deeper. In the long run, this makes the lawn more susceptible to dry damage, as the shallow roots cannot absorb sufficient moisture over time.

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Garden design