The Lawn Almanac

Soil & Feeding

Reading a soil test, adjusting pH, aerating compacted ground, topdressing with compost, and building a fertilizer schedule that feeds the grass rather than the storm drain.

Soil & Feeding

8 guides
Soil & Feeding

How to Fix Compacted Soil in the Yard

Learn how to fix compacted soil with core aeration, topdressing, and follow-up care. Practical steps for a beginner to loosen hard soil and restore a struggl...

July 1, 2026
Soil & Feeding

Organic vs Synthetic Lawn Fertilizer

A practical guide to choosing between organic and synthetic lawn fertilizers, covering how each works, what they cost, and when to use one over the other.

June 30, 2026
Soil & Feeding

How to Test Your Lawn's Soil and Read the Results

Learn how to test lawn soil the right way: collecting samples, choosing a kit or lab, and decoding pH, phosphorus, and potassium results.

June 26, 2026
Soil & Feeding

Topdressing Your Lawn With Compost

Learn how to topdress a lawn with compost the right way: timing, application depth, spreading technique, and how to use it for leveling lawn low spots.

June 26, 2026
Soil & Feeding

Lime: When Your Lawn Actually Needs It

Find out when to lime a lawn, how to tell if your soil actually needs it, how much to apply, and the best time of year to get results.

June 20, 2026
Soil & Feeding

How to Raise or Lower Your Lawn's Soil pH

Learn how to adjust lawn soil pH using lime or elemental sulfur. Includes test-first approach, application rates by soil type, and a target pH table.

June 14, 2026
Soil & Feeding

A Simple Seasonal Fertilizing Schedule

Know exactly when to fertilize your lawn with this seasonal schedule for cool-season and warm-season grasses, including timing, rates, and what to avoid.

June 10, 2026
Soil & Feeding

Understanding Lawn Fertilizer Numbers (N-P-K)

The three numbers on a fertilizer bag are N-P-K percentages. Learn what each nutrient does and how to calculate the pounds you actually apply.

June 5, 2026

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