Creating a thick and healthy lawn starts with choosing the right grass seed.
However, before you do this, you need to consider one crucial factor: your soil type.
In addition to climate, daylight hours, and maintenance, your soil type is key to developing your seeds and their growth.
Combining the right grass seed with its ideal soil type can make all the difference in achieving your dream lawn.
In this guide, we will cover the most common soil types, how to test your soil, and which grass seeds are best suited to each type.
What are the different soil types?
To choose the right grass seed, you must first understand what your lawns’ soil type is.
Here are some of the most common types of soil and how you can identify them:
Clay Soil
Clay soil is usually heavier and more compact than other types, hence why it is generally called ‘heavy soil.’
It is often favoured for its high nutrient content, which is essential for supporting healthy grass growth.
Although rich in nutrients, clay soil does have its disadvantages, such as poor drainage and being prone to compaction.
You can easily identify if you have clay soil, as it can be easily moulded in your hands and becomes sticky when wet in the colder months.
Loamy Soil
This popular soil type is a well-balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay soils, making it easier to work with than these individual soil types alone.
Loamy soils tend to be crumblier in texture and can retain a good level of moisture without becoming water-logged.
Its crumbly texture also means that your grass seeds can develop a deeper root system, ensuring a more resilient lawn.
Due to its composition, this type of soil is packed with nutrients that provide a fertile base for your grass seeds to thrive.
Sandy Soil
Sandy soils are often called ‘light soils’ due to their high sand content and low amount of clay.
It tends to be light and quick draining, which can often lead to it retaining less water and being more prone to drying out.
In addition, this soil is more acidic and lower in nutrients, which can have an impact on your grass’ growth and health.
Sandy soils may require more work to see optimal growth, such as frequently adding organic matter to give your seeds a boost of nutrients.
Silt Soil
Silt soil is another ‘light soil’ that is known for its smooth texture and nutrient-rich properties.
It is also adaptable and can retain water well, reducing the need for frequent watering.
However, just like other types of soil, silt does present its own challenges that can impact grass growth if not managed effectively.
Due to its fine particles, silt soil can become easily compacted, which can affect your seed’s nutrient intake and root development.
Moreover, its fine texture can mean that it is prone to easily being washed or blown away by rain and wind.
However, this can easily be solved by adding more organic matter so the soil can be bound into more secure clumps.
Chalk Soil
Chalk soil is commonly identified by its stony texture and can be either light or heavy.
It is generally always high alkalinity because of the level of lime content within its structure.
Due to being high in alkaline, chalk soil can limit the availability of certain nutrients like iron and manganese, which could lead to your seeds becoming deficient.
In addition, this type of soil drains water quickly, which is ideal for avoiding waterlogging, but can cause it to dry out in warmer months.
Top Tip: If this soil type shows signs of visible white lumps, then it cannot be acidified, and you must only choose seeds and plants that favour alkaline soils.
Peat Soil
Peat soil is dark in colour with a sponge-like texture and is composed of organic matter.
It is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are essential for optimal seed growth.
Additionally, peat has excellent water retention, making it ideal for warmer months, and is often used for improving the structure and fertility of other soil types.
However, peat soil can also be prone to compaction, which can limit your seed’s nutrient intake and impact root development.
How can you tell what type of soil you have?
If you are still unsure about what type of soil you have, the best and easiest way is by carrying out the touch and roll test:
Use the following steps to help:
- Select a small sample of soil from your garden
- Make sure the soil is moist, but not wet
- Roll the soil around in your hands, paying close attention to how it feels
- Create a ball of soil and observe how easily the soil holds its shape
If the soil can be easily moulded and maintains its shape, then this generally indicates that it is clay or peat soil.
Loamy and silty soils can hold their shape but will easily break apart if disturbed, while chalky soil tends to hold a weak shape that crumbles due to its stony particles.
Furthermore, sandy soil can not hold its shape at all and will fall apart when trying to mould it into a shape.
How can I test my soil?
Before planting your grass seeds, it is important to carry out a soil test to understand its pH and composition.
You can do this using a soil kit, which will accurately determine your soil’s pH and nutrient levels.
Ideally, soil will need to have a pH of 6.0–7.0 for most seedlings to grow successfully.
Do not panic if your grass’ pH is too high or too low; this can be easily solved.
| Fast Facts If your soil has a high pH (above 7.0), you will need to add sulphur to lower the alkaline levels. However, if your soil’s pH is too low (below 6.0), then lime can be used to reduce its acidity. |
Can you use any soil for grass seed?
There is nothing to stop you from using any soil for your grass seeds; however, it is not something we would recommend.
Soil is your most valuable resource when growing grass seed, as it sets the foundations of growth for your garden.
Planting grass seeds in soil that does not match their needs or growing conditions can significantly impact their growth and your overall result.
Here is what you can expect if your soil type is not right for your grass seeds:
- Poor germination rates (Some seeds may fail to germinate at all)
- Weak root development
- Uneven germination resulting in a patchy lawn
- Water-logged or dehydrated seedlings
- Thin and patchy grass coverage
- Susceptible to pests and weeds
- Vulnerable to environmental stress
- More maintenance required
Our expertly blended Thick & Thriving Grass Seed Mix promotes fast germination and is well-suited to thrive in a variety of soil types.
What type of grass grows best in clay soil?
Just like any other type of soil, clay can present its own challenges, including compaction and poor drainage.
However, that does not mean you cannot create a thriving lawn with grass types that can tolerate these conditions.
The best grass seed for clay soil is Tall Fescue, as these seeds develop a deep root system that allows them to access vital nutrients and water that lie deeper within the soil.
They also become drought-tolerant once fully established and can adapt to different climates and weather conditions.
Additionally, Kentucky Bluegrass is another great lawn seed choice for clay soil, as it can tolerate compacted soil with good maintenance.
What grass seeds grow best in loam soil?
Loam soil is considered to be a favourite in the lawn care world, as this well-structured soil creates the ideal conditions for most grass types to grow.
This includes cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue and warm-season grasses like Zoysia and Bermuda.
The majority of grass types thrive in loam soil due to its composition, which includes the best part of each of the soil types.
It offers your seedlings the perfect foundations to flourish, with its excellent drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient availability.
Loam soil also supports grass seeds with deep root systems, ensuring they can withstand harsh conditions and climates.
What is the best grass seed for sandy soil?
If your soil type is sandy, then you are better suited to a grass seed like Bermuda.
Bermuda Grass is a warm-season variety that favours well-drained sandy soils.
Although sandy soil retains less water and nutrients, this does not faze Bermuda Grass due to its deep root system.
Bermuda Grass’ deep root system allows it to source moisture and nutrients far below the soil surface, which can be beneficial during periods of drought.
Other types of grass seed that can grow successfully in sandy soil include St. Augustine Grass and Zoysia Grass.
What is the best grass seed for silt soil?
Those with silt soil in their gardens benefit from a base that retains moisture well and is packed with nutrients.
However, silt soil can compact easily, so it is key to plant grass seed that can tolerate moderate moisture and occasional compaction.
Tall Fescue is well-suited to silt soil, as it can develop deep roots to gain access to moisture and nutrients and can withstand drought conditions.
Additionally, Fine Fescue can also tolerate the conditions of silt soil due to its slow growth rate which allows it to conserve energy and resources.
What is the best grass seed for chalk soil?
If you want to plant grass seed in chalk soil, then you are best opting for a grass type that can tolerate high pH levels and limited nutrient availability.
Perennial Ryegrass, a hardy cool-season grass, germinates quickly and is often used to refresh lawns during winter.
It can tolerate higher pH soils between 5.5 and 7.5, making it ideal for those wanting to create or overseed a lawn with chalk soil.
Ready to meet your perfect match?
Choosing the right grass seed to achieve your dream lawn all starts with identifying and understanding your soil type.
Pairing the correct grass seed with its ideal soil ensures that your grass will get off to the best start and encourages healthy growth.
Start your lawn on the path to success and take our quiz to be matched with your tailored product bundle.
