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How to Grow Grass in Alkaline Soil
How to Grow Grass in Alkaline Soil. The pH balance of the soil of your lawn greatly determines the health and rate at which your grass grows. Soil that contains high levels of alkalinity will produce pale, yellowed grass, which over time may rot and attract dangerous pests. Controlling the alkaline level of your soil is an easy way to increase the...
The pH balance of the soil of your lawn greatly determines the health and rate at which your grass grows. Soil that contains high levels of alkalinity will produce pale, yellowed grass, which over time may rot and attract dangerous pests. Controlling the alkaline level of your soil is an easy way to increase the quality of your grass and keep pests at bay.
Things You'll Need
Soil test kit
Garden tiller
Iron sulfate compound
Compost
Manure
Test your soil. You can hire a professional to do this for you, or you can purchase an at-home soil testing kit from your local lawn and garden store to do it yourself. This test will tell you the pH level of your soil. Readings of 8 and higher mean you have high alkaline levels in your soil. The ideal pH level to grow a healthy lawn is between 6.5 and 6.8.
Purchase an iron sulfate compound from your lawn and garden store.
Break up the ground where you are planning to plant new grass with a garden tiller.
Disperse the iron sulfate compound atop the broken ground. Run the tiller over the area again to help mix the compound into the soil.
Add a layer of compost and manure to the soil. Move the tiller over the earth again, dispersing the components and mixing them within the soil.
Plant grass seeds, covering them with a layer of dried hay.
Tips & Warnings
Lowering alkaline levels in your soil may take a couple of years to achieve, which means you will have to retest the pH levels each growing season and continue to add compost and manure in the spring and fall.
