Understanding Soil

Soil is a natural resource which nourishes and nurtures varied living beings.  However, soil, because of constant cultivation, year over year, has reached a point of self destruction.

Soil does not remain constant and paralyzed in its composition.  It is constantly moving and recreating itself aided by minerals, water, oxygen and decomposing plant and animal matter. 

Healthy soil should consist of 93% minerals and the remaining percentage is dedicated for bio organic nutrients.

Through constant weather changes, i.e, snow, floods, arid spells, the soil gets robbed of its nutrients.  Also, a lot of nutrients are lost in harvesting.  By using bio organic material, the soil’s natural nutrient resource can be increased and protected.

Without understanding soil, establishing a lawn is like investing in the stocks of a company without a clue on how the company is actually performing in the stock exchange market.  Your money and effort will likely be lost. 

So What is Soil?

Soil is a combination of organic and inorganic materials which provide water and nutrients for plants.  Soil is not simply one thing, it also contains inorganic material such as sand, silt, clay and small stones.  Understanding the percentage of these components will help determine the texture or type of soil.

Soil provides food to the roots of grass, and thus, the soil needs to be rich in certain organic material that is palatable for the grass.  The grass roots retain the organic matter they require on the top level of the soil surface; this is called exchange sites.  The total number of exchange sites available in a patch of soil is the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the soil. Obviously, if the CEC level is higher, then the soil’s richness is also higher.

Sometimes, probably due to economic conditions or due to repeated cultivation; the soil may be deficient in certain nutrients. This deficiency will have a direct impact on the grass, which will tend to look lack luster, discolored and unhealthy.

Seeing the grass withering in front of one’s eyes can be very disturbing and one may think that the reason is less water supply, and the reaction is to increase water supply. However, too much water can produce its own problems. If in spite of adequate water supply and pest control treatment, the grass looks off color, the best option is to get the soil tested.

Once the results are obtained, the turf owner should provide a good fertilizer which has nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in a 3-1-2 ratio. Following the schedule provided in the test report is important. Repeating the test once every three or four years will ensure that the land continues to be fertile.

Steps Involved in Soil Testing:

Take a sample of lawn soil to a laboratory for analysis. Lawn soil should be treated differently from soil of flower or vegetable beds.

Soil rich in clay is not ideal for grass. Hence, soil amendments will be required. The best soil for grass is a neutral moderate top soil. In case the soil is rich in claim, removing the top layer by excavation and bringing in new soil is recommended.

Adding soil supplements which are rich mixes (available in shops) or compost (commercial or home made) manure will help to add to the nutrients in the soil.