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Soil, lawns and irrigation explained in depth: practical methods with measurements, diagrams and calculators for your own garden.
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Care for a new lawnSeries · 7 parts
Soil and lawn establishment
From the first soil test pit to the first cut. The articles follow the order of the work in your garden.
Part 1 of 7 · Start here
How to assess the soil beneath your lawn
A feel test, inspection pit and infiltration test reveal soil type, compaction and the path of water. Find out what to check before establishing a lawn.
Part 2 of 7
Sand, biochar, zeolite and Actino
When to add sand, biochar, zeolite or Actino to lawn soil, and when to leave them out. Compare their roles and find out what to check before buying.
Part 3 of 7
How to mix soil for a lawn
Model volume ratios for three gardens, incorporation depths and conditions for use. How to choose amendment rates and keep the components adding up to 100 %.
Part 4 of 7
Lawn soil calculator
Calculate sand, soil and amendments from your lawn area and soil depth. Separate materials to bring in, retain and remove, with conversions to tonnes, litres and bags.
Part 5 of 7
How to prepare soil for a lawn before sowing
How to prepare soil for a lawn: loosening the subsoil, mixing, settling and levelling. Check whether your seedbed is ready for sowing.
Part 6 of 7
How to sow a lawn
How to choose the timing by soil temperature, prepare a seedbed, calculate the seeding rate and sow evenly. Including fertiliser, mycorrhiza and first watering.
Part 7 of 7
Care for a new lawn
How to adjust watering as roots grow, care for young grass, deal with weeds and bare patches, and recognise the right moment for the first cut.
All articles
Soil and lawn establishment · part 7
Care for a new lawn
How to adjust watering as roots grow, care for young grass, deal with weeds and bare patches, and recognise the right moment for the first cut.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 3
How to mix soil for a lawn
Model volume ratios for three gardens, incorporation depths and conditions for use. How to choose amendment rates and keep the components adding up to 100 %.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 6
How to sow a lawn
How to choose the timing by soil temperature, prepare a seedbed, calculate the seeding rate and sow evenly. Including fertiliser, mycorrhiza and first watering.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 5
How to prepare soil for a lawn before sowing
How to prepare soil for a lawn: loosening the subsoil, mixing, settling and levelling. Check whether your seedbed is ready for sowing.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 4
Lawn soil calculator
Calculate sand, soil and amendments from your lawn area and soil depth. Separate materials to bring in, retain and remove, with conversions to tonnes, litres and bags.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 2
Sand, biochar, zeolite and Actino
When to add sand, biochar, zeolite or Actino to lawn soil, and when to leave them out. Compare their roles and find out what to check before buying.
Soil and lawn establishment · part 1
How to assess the soil beneath your lawn
A feel test, inspection pit and infiltration test reveal soil type, compaction and the path of water. Find out what to check before establishing a lawn.
Calculators
Work it out for your garden
Each calculator opens within its article, alongside an explanation of what the result means.
Soil infiltration test
Calculates the infiltration rate from the drop in water level over time and indicates whether the soil needs improving.
In the article How to assess the soil beneath your lawn
Lawn soil profile
How much sand, soil and amendments to order for your area and depth, including delivery, removal and packaging.
In the article Lawn soil calculator
You establish a lawn once. You water it for years.
InteliDome waters according to soil moisture: sensors measure conditions at the roots and a valve supplies water only to the zone that needs it.