Improving your soil

• Aeration and topdressing at the right time of year can help the performance of most lawns
• Soil additives and conditioners can help bring your soil up to a better condition for your lawn to thrive
• For specialised local knowledge on your soil issues talk to your local Lawn Solutions Centre or closest Lawn Solutions Australia Turf Grower

Soils come in many types from sandy to clayey soils with all manner of ratios of these in between – and as well as the make-up – there’s the nutrient and organic content to consider also. Without calling in a soil scientist or agronomist to check out your soil issues there are a few simple things we can look at to help get a better growing medium for your lawn. One of the biggest soil problems in lawns is compaction and that occurs usually just under the grass on the surface of the soil layer where foot traffic – from people, kids and pets – gets packed down where the air is squeezed out and a hard layer remains. Water then tends to lay on top, the roots and microbes and worms that normally thrive in this area find it hard to survive and the lawn struggles as well. This can even happen on sandy soils where either the soil that came with your turf originally is causing a problem or the thatch build-up over time is causing an issue. Aeration in these cases is usually the best option and the addition of a sand-rich topdressing-mix can help to work into the aeration holes and provide better drainage and airflow. Depending on what stage you are at with your lawn, there are a number of soil additives and conditioners that can assist in bringing your soil up to a better condition for your lawn to thrive. A few additives and conditioners are listed below but for the best advice talk to your local Lawn Solutions Centre or closest Lawn Solutions Australia Turf Grower for specialised knowledge.

• Wetting agents attract water to the soil and lawn to help it penetrate rather than run off.

They are a type of detergent that attracts water to the soil particles and come in liquid and granular form. They are particularly useful for sandy soils that are prone to becoming hydrophobic, repelling water, especially after dry periods, but can be used on any soil to help make the most of our precious water.

• Water storage crystals absorb and store water available to roots.

For new lawns, the crystals need to be incorporated into the soil prior to laying the turf, in the same way you use a starter fertiliser, another highly recommended procedure.

• Starter Fertiliser provides essential nutrients and trace elements for your lawn.

Lawn Solutions Australia’s Lawn Launcher is a starter fertiliser with a balanced combination of nutrients, elements and moisture magnets to help establish a new lawn.

• Lime (calcium carbonate) helps raise pH and neutralise acidic soil.
• Gypsum is calcium sulfate dihydrate and helps break down clay soils.
• Lime and gypsum are ideal additives prior to installing new turf however can be added as a topdress and when worked down into the soil help with breaking up clay and taking up of nutrients by your lawn.
• Leave the clippings on your lawn to act as a natural fertiliser as it breaks down. Aerate and topdress in the warmer months to help alleviate any compaction.
• Apply organic or synthetic fertilisers a few times a year to keep your soil and lawn in peak condition.