The most effective ways to loosen hard soil for grass seed are to till or core aerate the planting area. After this initial aeration, you should then add amendments that will ensure the longevity of the softened soil; suitable substances to amend hard soil include compost, sand, lime, and humic acid. The planting area will…
Sandy soil can be a challenging soil type to grow grass in. The structure of this soil type means that it struggles to hold onto water and nutrients well, which is a crucial requirement when trying to grow grass or maintain a mature lawn. However, with the right maintenance, seed type, and planting method, it’s…
Clay soil is notoriously one of the most difficult soil types to work with, especially when it comes to growing grass. Although this soil type has good water and nutrient retention properties, it is highly prone to compaction and has other characteristics that make it more difficult to grow a thick, healthy lawn. To improve…
When you break it down, there’s much more to soil than meets the eye. Being composed of small particles of rocks, minerals, humus, water, and air, soil is a self-sustaining concoction of both living and dead materials. Determined by the natural landscape of the area, this composition varies from yard to yard, and therefore so…
Being the literal foundation of the plant life in your lawn and garden, your soil type has a huge impact on how your grass, shrubs, and crops grow. Different types of soils are composed of different types of solid matter. Therefore, they all hold differing properties when it comes to water retention, nutrient availability, and…
You could be forgiven for assuming that soil and dirt are the same things. While many consider the two terms interchangeable, there are several features of soil that differentiate it from dirt. As a gardener, it’s important for you to know the differences between soil and dirt to ensure you’re using the best planting matter…
When maintaining your garden, any minor change to your regular equipment can lead to unwanted effects throughout the rest of your garden. As a gardener, you should know how sensitive certain plants and produce can be to any changes. Topsoil and garden soil may seem like different names for the same product, but they are…
Planting and growing grass in hard dirt isn’t a job without its challenges, but it is completely doable with the right tools and preparation. Planting grass seed into hard dirt poses such a challenge as the packed soil lacks empty spaces necessary for the circulation of water, air, and nutrients, cutting off their availability to…
You might dream of a rolling green lawn outside your door, but is it possible with sandy soil? The good news is that soil of 50-80% sand is excellent for growing certain grass species. Sandy soil is quick draining and well aerated, and conducive to proper root establishment. The caveat is that you might have…
If you have clay soil, you’re likely to be wondering what the best kind of grass to put in your garden is – because certain kinds of grass will do a lot better growing in clay than other kinds, which will struggle and may not give you good coverage or durability. So, what is the…
