You may be surprised by how many kinds of soil there are. There seems to be a soil type for every region in the country. Even your yard may have different types of soil. It may be sandy in that corner of your yard, clayey in another and loamy in another part. Still, every type of soil is subject to conditions that can make it unhealthy over time.
The Signs of Unhealthy Soil From Compaction
If a part of your lawn is full of bare spots, standing water or discolored grass blades, the soil may be compacted. Compacted soil is hard and so dense that nutrients can’t penetrate it. Because of this, the roots of your grass can’t access these nutrients and the blades grow in weak and patchy. Compacted soil can be caused by heavy traffic, parking heavy machinery on it, too much water and a dearth of organic material. Clay soils also tend to become compacted more readily than loamy or sandy soils.
Some ways to defeat compaction include:
- Aeration
- Adding organic mulch
- Adding French drains
- Proper lawn care
Consult a lawn care specialist to learn more.
Soil That Drains Badly
Poor drainage is also a sign of poor soil health. This is an easy problem to see because after a rain, you’ll notice long-lasting puddles of water and mud on your lawn. Poor drainage can be both the cause and the result of compacted soil, since wet soil is easier to compact. Other problems that affect your lawn due to poor drainage include pests, soil erosion and root rot that will eventually kill your grass. You may also see patches of moss. The way to fix badly draining soil is to have a lawn specialist install drainage.
Nutrient Poor Soil
Some types of grass don’t need as much fertilizer as other types, but that doesn’t mean they can thrive in soil that’s drastically lacking in nutrients. Nutrient-poor soil produces grass that’s weak and more prone to pests and diseases. Its root system is also weak. This isn’t just from a lack of nutrients but because the structure of the soil itself is unstable. The way to fix soil that’s nutrient-poor is to first test it to find out which nutrients it lacks. After this, your lawn care expert can apply the right fertilizer and amendments such as compost and mulch.
Call Us for Your Lawn Problems
Unhealthy soil might be the cause of the poor state of your lawn. For soil management services in Holliston, Maine, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our professionals at Tree Specialist.
