Target soil organic matter of 3 to 5 percent

What to Do

Check the organic matter (OM) percentage on your soil test report. Healthy lawn soils should have at least 2% OM, with 3-5% being the optimal range. If below 2%, prioritize compost topdressing and mulching clippings.

Why It Works

Organic matter is the engine of soil health. Soils high in OM retain more moisture, resist compaction, host more beneficial microbes, and release nitrogen naturally — reducing the need for synthetic fertilizer. University of Minnesota notes that higher OM directly reduces nitrogen fertilizer recommendations because decomposing organic matter releases plant-available nitrogen.

Tips

• Building OM is a multi-year project. Expect to add 0.1-0.2% per year with consistent topdressing.
• Mulching grass clippings returns significant organic matter to the soil over time.
• Never till a lawn to incorporate organic matter — this destroys the existing turf and soil structure.