Spongy lawns are the result of excess buildup of old and dead grass material. … Overly thick thatch not only makes the lawn spongy but can interfere with the plant’s ability to gather air, water, and fertilizer. The roots are forced to grow on top of the thatch and the sponginess increases.

How do you fix a spongy lawn?

Aerate Your Grass Lawn If you have dethatched your grass and fixed any possible drainage problems, but you still have a spongy and squishy grass lawn, you should consider aerating your lawn. The most significant advantage of lawn aeration is that it increases soil drainage.

How can I make my lawn firmer?

After the initial spiking and draining, using a hollow tine aerator on the lawn will remove further plugs of soil. This should allow the majority of the water to drain through. You can then add a top dressing of horticultural sand or compost to absorb extra moisture and build up a healthier lawn.

Why is my soil spongy?

If it feels spongy, it has a lot of organic matter in it and means you have peat soil. If it feels like sand, then the soil is sandy. And it if feels hard, it will be clay soil. … If it makes and holds the shape, there is clay in the soil; if it does not hold shape, there is more sand.