What is the best type of soil for alternative lawns?

Variety, techniques and philosophy are essential, but they are not enough on their own: how do you choose the best soil for alternative lawns in your garden? Discover our experts' advice!

The functionality and success of alternative lawns depend on a combination of several factors. On the one hand, choosing the right plants and using the maintenance techniques specific to dry gardens is essential for creating a self-sufficient green space that withstands even the hottest summers. On the other hand, a proper irrigation system, the right combination of varieties and, above all, an in-depth knowledge of the garden's location, temperatures and exposure are details that cannot be overlooked. But among the variables to consider when finding the perfect formula for an alternative lawn, choosing the best soil is also essential.



The basic characteristics for choosing soil

An alternative lawn is functional and resilient only if you can avoid waterlogging. For this reason, the number one rule is to choose a well-draining soil that allows for the creation of areas for water accumulation and drainage. Usually, the type of soil recommended for traditional lawns is clay-based, as it is better able to retain moisture. However, this tends to be a heavy soil that prevents drainage and encourages waterlogging. In fact, when dealing with particularly clay-heavy soil, we always recommend adding at least 3 or 4 centimetres of new soil. And if you have the opportunity to choose from several types of lawn soil, opt for a sandy one.

Sand, in fact, provides excellent drainage thanks to the large size of its particles. Silt and clay, on the other hand, make the soil less aerated and heavier because their particles are smaller and dustier, reducing the amount of air within the soil.

The second rule for choosing the right soil for your garden is fertilization. We recommend choosing a soil that is not overly fertilized and, above all, it is strongly advised against using soil fertilized with manure. This type of fertilizer, although natural, can be extremely harmful to plant health due to its ammonia concentration. Furthermore, an excessive dose of manure can damage the roots, make the soil too acidic, and encourage the proliferation of various difficult-to-control weeds.

Preparing the soil before planting

Once you have chosen the right soil and added it to the ground, you can begin working it to prepare it for planting. At this point, the first step is deep cultivation. This step is essential for low-water-use lawns, whose strength lies precisely in the ability of the roots to grow deep. In fact, when there is no irrigation and temperatures are very high, the young plants search for moisture and nutrients in the soil, which, if cultivated deeply, will create the conditions to promote vertical root growth. Once this step is complete, simply make the soil loose and level it as you would for sowing any traditional lawn, aerating it and removing weeds. At this point, the soil will be ready for planting a new alternative lawn.

Every garden is different: request personalized advice

Just as the low-water-use lawn varieties you choose will perform differently depending on the characteristics of the area where they are planted, the choice of soil must also take into account the garden in which it will be used: the climate, the type of lawn you wish to plant, and the maintenance resources available to the person caring for the garden all make a difference in choosing the most suitable soil. For this reason, personalized advice can be very useful. BotanicalDryGarden has several decades of experience across the entire country and beyond. If you need help choosing the plants and soil best suited to your garden, we can help you. Click here to receive personalized advice.