Use tall fescue in clay soils.
When planting grass, there are pros and cons to clay soil. On one hand, clay soil is filled with good nutrients. Conversely, clay soil is generally very dense and hard to work. By planning, preparing the soil and diligent maintenance, your grass should grow quite well in clay.
Instructions
Plan, Prepare, and Maintain
1. Clay soil can produce healthy grass.
Select a grass that is well suited for clay soil. In an article by Turfgrass Specialist, Richard L. Duble, tall fescue is suggested, with Kentucky 31 and Alta as examples. Additionally, have a good tiller, organic compost, sand and gypsum for softening and breaking up the clay, and adequate sprinklers.
2. Proper tilling prepares soil.
Prepare the soil thoroughly before spreading grass seeds. Large clay clumps need breaking down as much as possible with a tiller. Add sand and gypsum to the tilled soil and re-till, adding organic compost as a starter fertilizer. The University of Illinois Extension recommends spreading 3 to 4 inches of compost over the garden area and till it into the soil.
3. Adequate water is essential to new grass growth.
Adequate watering is essential to any new grass growth. New seeds should be watered in daily for the first week. Keep the entire area moist but not standing in water. Clay soil is very dense and drainage can be a problem. Watering should be monitored carefully. Standing water is too much, while cracks in the soil indicate too little moisture.
Related posts
Grass grows best in healthy soils.Growing grass is never an easy prospect, and many people have several suggestions and home remedies to make grass grow. Luckily there is a science to growing gras...
Alkaline soils require special procedures for growing grass.Healthy lawns require adequate amounts of sunlight, moisture and soil nutrients. In addition to these basic elements, lawns need soil wi...
Clay soils compact, keeping air and nutrients from reaching plant roots.The ball and ribbon test provides an easy way to identify clay soil. A ball of wet clay soil can flatten into a ribbon 2 inc...
Break Down Clay SoilSoil types are described by how much sand, silt or clay the soil contains. Although most soil contains a combination of these particles, the exact combination determines the so...
Grass that has trouble putting down roots will often let them grow on the surface of the soil and into the buildup of organic grass clippings and leaves. Over time, these roots can form a dense ca...
