Mix lawn soil yourself

the essentials in brief

• Turf soil is a special, industrially produced substrate mixture that is intended to provide optimal growth conditions for various types of lawn.
• They apply the turf directly to the topsoil, creating a loose, permeable and nutrient-rich foundation.
• 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 turf soil?

Lawn soil is nothing more than a special substrate mixture that is supposed to enable the optimal growth of lawn grasses. You apply the mixture evenly to the prepared topsoil, level it and then sow the lawn - or lay ready-made grass if you want it to be quick. Lawn soil is composed quite differently, depending on the product and manufacturer. However, this is not only due to the different philosophy of the manufacturers - there are quite different views on the ideal composition of lawn soil - but also depends on the nature of the garden soil.

also read

• Mix lawn soil yourself - tips for the recipe
• Mix the rhododendron soil yourself
• Mix the potting soil yourself

For example, sandy soil needs turf 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 balanced substrate mixture with an equally high proportion of compost and sand - this ensures the necessary permeability of the soil, because waterlogging must not form. In this way 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, play or decorative lawns have completely different needs.

properties

Turf soil optimally fulfills several properties that enable the grass to grow healthily:

• loose composition
• permeable to water
• both enable the best possible root growth
• nutrient-rich, containing humus
• durable

The composition of the turf not only has to meet the requirements of the grass growing on it, but above all has to be durable. This means that the padded surface withstands all loads and does not compact. This point is mainly relevant for use and play lawns, but should not be neglected for ornamental lawns either.

Optimal composition of lawn soil

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In order for the turf soil to have all of these properties, it needs a special composition. In order to supply the hungry grass with sufficient nutrients and also to create a good foundation 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 have a proportion of around 30 to 40 percent. Finally, sand ensures 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 is preferably between 5.5 and 6, because this is where grasses grow best. However, it is not necessary to add extra fertilizer. It is only fertilized later, when the lawn has 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 should also avoid it. Peat is extracted in bogs, with the result that valuable habitats for rare plant and animal species are irrevocably lost. In addition, peatlands are important CO2 stores, the storage effect of which, however, also diminishes due to peat extraction - with serious consequences for the climate. In any case, peat is not a recommendable ingredient for lawn soil, as the same effect is achieved with compost and humus.

What do you need lawn soil for?

Lawn soil - regardless of whether it is a purchased or your own mixture - forms a good basis for growth for every lawn. In this way, the young grasses stay 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 unattractive bumps and bumps. Lawn soil is suitable for both sowing and rolling lawns, turf tiles or other ready-made lawns, for a new plant as well as for the repair of individual spots.

Where can I buy turf soil?

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

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

If you prefer to mix the turf yourself, you will find the necessary components either in your own garden or you can also purchase missing ingredients at the places mentioned. When buying, it is essential to pay attention to the composition of the selected substrate, because not every turf soil is suitable for every soil. In addition, discount store offers are often of poor 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."

Well, turf soil is not just turf soil. There are various mixtures with differing compositions. But which one is the right one? These criteria will help you make a decision:

• Type and composition of the subsoil : Since the most important functions of turf soil are compensated for by a composition of the topsoil that is rather unfavorable for grasses, the subsoil type is one of the most important decision-making features. Sandy soil needs a particularly humus and nutrient-rich lawn, whereas loamy soil needs a mixture with a high proportion of sand. Calcareous turf soil tolerates too acidic soil, while alkaline soil tolerates a mixture with silicon-rich rock flour. (€ 14.95 at Amazon *)
• Type of lawn : A basic distinction is made between play and sport lawns (lawns for use), ornamental lawns and lawns with shadows. All of these species have different needs for their subsoil, which is why you should choose the lawn soil according to these special needs. Shadow lawns tolerate a somewhat poor substrate, which should also be particularly permeable and, if necessary, compensate for an acidic pH value. Usage turf, on the other hand, has to be very hard-wearing and must not compact when exposed to stress - here, too, permeability and looseness are paramount.
• Application form : The desired application of the turf 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, various substrate mixtures make sense. Which one should be your first choice here also depends on the surface.
• Special compositions : You can buy lawn soil ready-made with grass seeds, you only have to spread them over the lawn and no longer need to sow them separately. Extra fertilized lawn soil, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for poor soils or rather demanding lawn mixtures.

What does lawn soil cost?

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

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

Depending on the manufacturer and ingredients, the prices are in a fairly large range between around 20 cents and around 1.30 EUR 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 content 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 around 50 percent, nutrient-rich compost makes up the largest and most important share of self-compiled 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 subsurface is to be leveled out, mix in a proportion of acidic leaf humus - the final result should be the desired pH value. Alternatively, you can also use bark humus or rhododendron soil. Purchased humus soil is very suitable for the humus portion - or you can remove the valuable soil from molehills and sift it through. Quartz sand is suitable as sand, but also play sand (€ 14.90 at Amazon *).

Depending on the subsoil and nutrient requirements, you can also mix in primary rock meal or silicon-rich rock meal, horn meal or horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *) or a long-term mineral fertilizer. The stone meal provides an extra portion of minerals and helps to improve the soil structure, while the fertilizers provide the growing lawn with nitrogen. This nutrient is especially important for grass growth.

Digression

Soil analysis comes before mixing

But be careful: Before adding these substances, first have a soil analysis carried out in order not to accidentally risk over-fertilization or insufficient supply. You take several samples of the topsoil (not the soil you have mixed yourself!) And send them to a specialized laboratory for soil analysis. You will then receive a detailed list of the nutrients and tips for optimal fertilization.

Use lawn soil correctly

Whether bought or mixed yourself, you can use the ready-made lawn soil as follows:

1. Preparation of the subsoil
2. Digging up and loosening the topsoil
3. Removal of 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 substrate
7. Level and roll the surface
8. No bumps may remain.
9. Sow lawn seeds or lay ready-made lawn
10. Roll the surface again
11. Water the area vigorously

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

Digression

Sow lawn or lay out 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 to grow, but rather have a finished lawn immediately. However, turf is not cheap and is therefore particularly suitable for smaller areas.

frequently asked Questions

What else do I have to do before spreading the soil and lawn seeds?

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

When do you actually sow lawn?

Spring is the ideal time to sow lawn. If the weather is right - temperatures above 12 degrees Celsius - you can start sowing between March and April. However, the soil should be frost-free, and a few warm days are also an advantage - the soil should be warmed up a bit. In the event of threatened late frosts or winter weather, sowing is still to be foreseen. In this case, just wait a little longer until the temperatures are more stable and the sun has more power.

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. If purchased, the substrate is pre-fertilized anyway and contains all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities and in an optimal composition. Even mixed lawn soil is rich in nutrients with the recipes we have specified and no longer needs to be fertilized. However, you have to make sure to keep freshly sown lawn slightly damp - this will help it germinate.

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

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

Tips

It is better to water the lawn less often, but vigorously and thoroughly. Avoid giving less water in short intervals. Here the water does not get deep enough into the earth, so that the roots grow very shallow instead of deeper. In the long run, this makes the lawn more susceptible to damage caused by drought, as the shallow roots cannot absorb enough moisture over time.