Go Beyond the Blade for a Healthier Lawn
Whether you are a homeowner or a landscaping pro, the soil you are working with is going to play a key role in helping you achieve that lush, healthy lawn that will make you the envy of the neighborhood.
From nourishing new growth to regulating and filtering air and water, soil serves a number of key functions in supporting the overall health of your lawn. Changes to the soil will inevitably impact the growth of your spring lawn – for better or worse.
Before we dig into what you can do to prepare your soil for spring, it is important to understand the type of soil you are dealing with and how you can overcome common obstacles to achieve optimum soil health.
Western Washington is home to a wide variety of soil types and conditions thanks to the work of volcanic mudflows and ash, along with glacial activity and other factors in the area. The most common types of soil in the region are: clay, silt, sand, and loam. Each type of soil has its own characteristics and challenges.
Clay Soils
Clay soils are characterized by their high clay content, which gives them a heavy, sticky texture. Clay soils can be difficult to work with, as they tend to be slow to drain and can be easily damaged by over-tilling. They also tend to be high in nutrients yet low in organic matter, which means you have to fertilize with caution. A little can go a long way!
Silt Soils
Silt soils are made up of finer particles than clay soils, and are often found in wetter parts of Western Washington. They tend to be very nutrient-rich, but can be prone to compaction. When this happens, the amount of space between soil particles (also referred to as “pore space”) is reduced, slowing both water infiltration and drainage. Additionally, the exchange of gasses that takes place during organic processes gets hindered, leading to anaerobic conditions in the soil which can be problematic. Lastly, soil compaction increases soil strength but makes it more difficult for roots to penetrate the layers, in turn making it more difficult for plants to access the nutrients they need.
Sandy Soils
Sandy soils are composed of larger particles, making them light and well-draining. They can be acidic and are often low in organic matter and nutrients, so they can also be difficult to fertilize.
Loams
Loams are a mix of sand, silt, and clay and are the most popular type of soil in Western Washington. They are generally well-draining and high in organic matter, avoiding the extremes that are found in each of the previously discussed types of soils.
How Do You Know What Type of Soil You Have?
The good news is there are numerous ways to get an idea of the type of soil you are working with, and you don’t need any special equipment!
For a simple textural analysis, scoop up some soil in your hand and examine it. If the soil feels gritty, like sand, then it is likely sandy soil. If it feels slimy or sticky, it is likely clay or loam soil. If it feels smooth, then it is likely silt soil.
There is another test known as the ribbon test that can help you get an idea of the structure/texture of your soil, and you can find a guide to performing this test (as well as instructions for a few other popular testing methods) from WSU here.
How to Achieve Healthy Soil?
Clay soils can be amended with organic matter (like mulch, compost, etc.) and fertilizers to add nutrients and aerated to help improve drainage.
Silt soils should be aerated to reduce compaction, and organic matter should be added to the soil to help increase pore space.
Sandy soils can be amended with organic matter and fertilizers to help retain moisture and add nutrients. They don’t typically require aeration as frequently as other types of soil, but when you do aerate, use a machine that pierces the soil with a spike as opposed to pulling out plugs.
The density of sand/silt/clay found in loam will determine the best practices for preparing your soil for spring. Heavier mixtures like clay loam and silty loam should still be aerated annually to help improve drainage and amended with organic matter to help retain moisture and add nutrients, while sandy loam can be aerated less frequently.
Besides the type of soil you’re working with, understanding the pH of your soil is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. If the pH level of your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, your grass won’t be able to absorb the necessary nutrients for proper growth. Having an acidic soil can also damage the roots of the grass. It’s important to test your soil to ensure that it is within the ideal pH range for grass growth.
There are many soil test kits that you can purchase online or at a gardening store (and even some DIY tricks that can at least give you an idea of what side of the scale you’re currently leaning towards). After testing your soil, you can use a fertilizer or soil amendment specifically designed for your soil’s pH to help balance it out and make sure you’re setting your lawn up for success.
Lawn Care Starts with Soil Care
If you’re ready to help reduce compaction and improve drainage for your spring lawn, stop by Carl’s Mower & Saw! Whether you’re looking to rent a RYAN Lawnaire® Aerator to whip your soil into shape or you are a gardener who wants to prep your garden beds with a Honda FG 110 Tiller, we’ve got you covered!
About
Since 1990, Carl’s Mower & Saw has been working to provide homeowners and professionals with the very best in outdoor power equipment and service. From expert repair services and equipment rentals to the latest releases from top brands like Exmark, Gravely, Honda, Husqvarna, STIHL, and Ariens, Carl’s Mower & Saw is your friendly, family-owned source for outdoor power equipment and maintenance.
Stop in and consult with one of our experts about the best lawn and landscaping equipment for your property.
Learn more online by visiting www.CarlsMower.com or give us a call at 360-384-0799.
