Soil and fertility management. Soil conditions including fertility are crucial for establishing and maintaining a lawn successfully. A balanced fertility program based on soil test results every 3 to 5 years and before seeding a new lawn will improve the vigor of plants and their resistance to diseases. Establishing lawns on new construction sites where topsoil may have been removed or only a thin layer is present is particularly difficult. The addition of organic matter in the form of topsoil, leaf mold, compost, or other source of organic matter is recommended.
Soil compaction can be a serious problem in a newly constructed lawn as well as in older lawns.
Compacted soil excludes air and impedes water movement, which reduces root function, thus causing a decline in plant vigor and disease resistance. In new lawns, it is important to prepare the soil well. Make sure the seed bed is firm but not compacted. In established lawns, core aeration will relieve compaction and reduce thatch accumulation. Nitrogen management is the most significant influence on disease severity.