What Makes Good Soil for a Lawn?

Microbes

• Microbes make up the majority of the living organisms in your yard. They include beneficial algae, bacteria and fungi. These microbes benefit your yard by taking the nitrogen out of the air and turning it into a liquid form for plants. By feeding them with compost, you can increase the microbes in your yard to aid the heath of your grass.
  
  

Drainage

• Proper soil drainage consists of a soil makeup that is full of organic material such as loam soil. Loam soil is made up of 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt and 20 percent clay. By having these percentages of soil types in your yard, you will have soil that is not water logged or dry.
  
  

pH Range

• The pH range of your soil should be within the proper range of your grass. Bermuda grass needs a range of 6.5 to 8.0, rye grass should be grown in a range of 6.0 to 7.0, and blue grass prefers a range of 5.0 to 8.4.
  
  

Moist Soil

• Grass thrives in moist soil that is not too dry or saturated with water. Most grass needs 1 inch of water a week. Set a rain gauge out to determine how much rainwater you grass has received each week.
  
  

Nutrients

• Nutrients often get washed out of the soil by rainwater. Grass needs nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium for optimal growth. Use a fertilizer in the spring high in nitrogen to promote healthy soil and grass.
  
  

Insects

• Good soil for lawns is free of pest infestations. Apply an insecticide in the spring to reduce the amount of insects that can chew up grass blades and roots.