by John Geiger
Hands down, the most critical component to a healthy, lush, green lawn is healthy soil – loose, full of air, full of microbes and rich in organic matter. It’s a place where roots can spread deeply, and organisms thrive.
And what’s the most efficient way to achieve healthy soil? Compost!
Why Compost?
First, don’t be dissuaded if topdressing your lawn with compost is an unfamiliar concept. It’s a very simple process anyone can do. AND, it will save you a lot of money because you can cut way back or even eliminate other fertilizers and pest and disease treatments.
The benefits to your soil health and therefore your lawn health are many:
- Improved Soil Structure: Compost is rich in organic matter, which helps improve soil structure. It enhances the soil’s ability to hold moisture, improves drainage, and prevents soil compaction. This allows the roots of your grass to penetrate deeper, promoting healthier growth.
- Nutrient-Rich: Compost contains a wide range of nutrients essential for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. By top dressing with compost, you provide a slow-release source of nutrients to your lawn, which supports healthy grass growth without the risk of burning the turf.
- Enhanced Microbial Activity: Compost contains beneficial microorganisms that contribute to the soil’s biological activity. These microbes help break down organic matter, release nutrients, and suppress harmful pathogens. Adding compost to your lawn increases the microbial population, fostering a healthier ecosystem for your grass.
- Weed Suppression: Top dressing with compost promotes denser turf, reducing opportunities for weeds to take hold.
- Moisture Retention: Compost has excellent water-holding capacity, which can help your lawn retain moisture during dry periods. It acts as a sponge, reducing water runoff and allowing the grass roots to access water for a longer period.
- Improved Disease Resistance: Healthy soil promotes disease resistance in your lawn. The organic matter and beneficial microorganisms present in compost help create an environment that discourages the development of harmful diseases, keeping your grass healthier and more resilient.
How to select your compost.
Be certain to choose an organic product to avoid introducing salts and other harmful minerals and chemicals to your lawn. Going with fine-screened compost will avoid introducing large debris (sticks and bark) that can take a while to break down.
How to apply compost.
Compost can be applied to your lawn any time the ground isn’t frozen. Most folks choose to apply fall and spring. Summer is a great time, too, as it helps protect your lawn from the stresses of summer heat and drought.
Step 1. Aerate
Before top dressing with compost, aerate your soil. You don’t have to aerate (I often aerate before composting in the spring but skip it when I compost in the fall) but it does help the compost to penetrate the soil, along with water and oxygen.
Aeration is a simple process of removing plugs of soil at intervals, but it does require a special machine. Choose one that actually removes the plugs of soil rather than simply spiking the soil.
Many local landscapers provide this service, or you can rent an aerator from a local hardware store and do it yourself: it’s a simple machine requiring no experience to operate. You will need two people to load and unload the machine (they’re heavy) but only one to operate it. An average-sized lawn takes about 20 minutes to aerate. Pretty simple!
Step 2. Purchase
Now you’re ready for the compost. Compost can be delivered in bulk by a variety of local suppliers. You can also buy it by the bag (what I do) or put it loose into your truck or trailer.
Step 3. Spread
Apply ½ inch over the lawn and rake or water it in. For reference, a 1,000 square-foot lawn needs about 1.5 cubic yards of compost. If you’re uncertain, your supplier will gladly do the math for you to determine how much to purchase. You’ll just need to supply the rough dimensions of your lawn. A wheelbarrow, gloves and rake come in handy as do a set of clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Voila! Your lawn care life just got a lot easier and cheaper, and your lawn a whole lot happier.
