While waiting for those results, Kansans can use the time to make sure the contours of their yard reduce, not add work and problems. The soil surface must drain water away from the house. If possible, it should include no severe slopes or other changes in height, because they ' ll create maintenance problems with mowing and watering. Plus, it should blend in with the surrounding terrain. Any needed grading will also provide a clear idea about the soil ' s texture C another important factor that can ' t be changed after grass is in place.
Sandy soils require frequent fertilizing and watering.
The only exception to this rule is new topsoil. When homeowners dump good soil on top of an existing yard, the result can be a kind of layering. The worst layering develops when builders drive heavy equipment over the yard area in all kinds of weather, then bring in a load of topsoil, and just spread it out over the compacted base soil. To have any hope of blending the two, you must loosen base soil before adding topsoil. In the end, healthy lawns must have nutrient-rich, aerated soil that ' s at least 6 inches deep, he said.