There are certain tips in which grass would grow better in clay soil. It swallows it up. I LOVE ornamental grasses but I'm cursed with heavy clay soil with the added bonus of poor drainage. Compost or peat moss improve the texture of clay soil, allowing water to drain quickly and creating air spaces that help grass roots breathe and grow. You can skip this step if you are overseeding, just be sure to work the seed down to soil level with a leaf rake. Manually break up the clay in the planting hole, then plant and water in well. Be sure to keep your mower blades sharp. Spread your organic material evenly over the area you're working, then till or aerate. This blend is based on Meadow Fescue and Timothy which were traditionally used for grass production on cold, wet ground in areas such as West Wales. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Since clay soil tends to be heavy and compacted, grass varieties like Zoysia, tall fescue, Bermuda, and buffalo grass are often used depending on the climate. [, Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money In 2019, Best Riding Lawn Mowers (Updated Oct 2019) With Reviews And Buying Guide, Best Gas Weed Eaters: Our Picks And Buyer’s Guide, Best Weed Wackers For Every Need (Buying Guide Included), Top 7 Electric Weed Eaters Reviewed + Buyer’s Guide. Therefore, clay soils require special consideration. Super green grass seed ideal for clay soils Quick to establish and easy to repair lawn seed Ask a question. Few gardeners are enthusiastic about their clay soil and would very much like to improve it. Rake it up, though. If you seeded in spring or summer, you should see quick growth within two or three weeks. There are plenty of forms of organic material you can use. Keep the grass seeds moist until they germinate, then reduce watering slowly. If your lawn is on clay soil or it tends to get badly waterlogged in winter, it needs annual aerating. Keep an eye on your pH. Gardeners … If anything, your soil may return to a more alkaline state, but it won't get as bad as it was when you started. Each lawn has variables, like bare spots or very high alkalinity, that need to be addressed. Prior to laying turf on clay soils, you need to improve the structure of your soil. The required work can be performed by a homeowner or turf laying service. You can still plant the same type of seed as your current lawn, but it may take a few seasons to get established well. Pricking, slitting or spiking. Clay soil is made up of tiny mineral particles with very little organic material to separate all those microscopic rocks. We may earn a small commission through purchases made via some links on our website. For one thing, it supplies nutrients that your beautiful new lawn is going to need. Raised beds and french drains are not an option at this time. I worked at a couple different lawn care / landscaping companies throughout my college years, and now thanks to the internet I'm able to make a share my knowledge and advice with people about lawn care and landscaping. First, determine what type or grass your lawn is made of. Pricking or slitting the surface can improve a waterlogged lawn. In dry periods, the hardened soil can crack. If you've seeded in the beginning or middle of fall, which is the recommended time for most grasses, you'll see some slow growth throughout the cooler autumn and winter months. Prior to choosing the turf for laying turf on clay, you may want to take a close look at the samples. Hi, I'm Ed, and I've been doing lawn work since my mid teen years, picking up jobs here and there mowing and helping with basic landscaping projects. Yearly testing is fine. They don't break up the soil enough, and a compound in decomposing wood locks nitrogen in the soil. If you have to make this choice, remember that it's better to have a lawn of uniform variety. Prior to laying turf on clay soils, you need to improve the structure of your soil. Turf costs a lot, but it's easy to ruin it. It’s dense, does not drain well—unless it’s on a slope, and then everything runs off. That's why topdressing is such a great way to continue adding organics to your lawn. You shouldn't notice any thatch for at least a few years. Once you get your pH right, the grass roots will be able to use the nutrients in the soil. It would be a good idea to topdress once during the first year. It’s prone to waterlogging in winter and cracking in summer, but it’s also nutritious and moisture retentive. Check with your local extension office (listed under government in the phone book) for a soil testing kit. Clay soils are heavy and sticky when wet, and lumpy and hard when dry. Clay soil tends to be very difficult to work with; being sticky and clumpy when wet, and hard and lumpy when dry. Organic matter, Mother Earth’s great equalizer. To make grass grow in red clay soil, dig in organic matter to lighten the soil. The thatch that doesn't get removed along with the living grass will serve as extra organic material. This will get your two soil types mixed up better. This will vary depending on the type of grass, whether you are planting a new lawn or overseeding. At BestOfMowers.com, we publish accurate reviews about various mowers and other lawn equipment, as well as informative guides relating to lawn care. You just stick it in the ground in several spots throughout your lawn and average the pH readings. Vivosun makes an accurate, low-priced meter that tests pH, moisture and sunlight levels. The fertilizer can concentrate at the level where the clay meets the new soil. This can be done by installing a drainage system and capping the area with light top soil (50mm or more), or incorporating plenty of sand into your soil (80% of the resulting soil should be sand). If you're tearing your lawn up and creating a new one, this is easy. It’s not all bad news, but you do have to outsmart it. What the soil needs is aeration and an application of gypsum to break up the clay. If you need to drop your alkalinity by an entire point, like from 7.5 to 6.5, apply twice as much. Short grass will allow you to check whether there are any weeds in the layer. You need enough material to add a level one-quarter to one inch on top of your clay. Anything lower than that is acidic. You don't want to mix two types of grass, but you want to make sure your lawn is tolerant of clay soil. Another thing is that it's much easier to get the right ratio of organics to clay. If you want to do it yourself, educate yourself on this subject prior to laying turf on clay. Get a handful of soil from the ground where you want to plant the grass; Add some water to the soil, just enough to make it pliable; Knead the soil into a ball; Use your index finger and thumb to flatten the soil into a ribbon; Clay-loam soils will break up between 1 and 2 inches while heavy clay can form a ribbon longer than 2 inches If done right, laying turf on clay will bring a great outcome. The mixture of clay and chalk in these soils makes them excellent vegetable growing soils, but they do not grow fruit well. Follow the directions on the kit, and ship it to the state … Has anyone had personal success growing on nasty clay? Gather material such as organic fertilizer, compost, lawn clippings, and leaves. Keep in mind that the best time to topdress with organic matter is right after aeration. Aerators remove plugs of dirt from the lawn and break up the soil, allowing grass roots to spread. After you spread your sulfur, wait eight weeks and check your pH again. This can be done by installing a drainage system and capping the area with light top soil (50mm or more), or incorporating plenty of sand into your soil (80% of the resulting soil should be sand). These grass varieties help to work out the clay-loam soil throughout the year. Clay soils are traditionally quite acidic and not very receptive to the nutrients available in the soil even after fertilisation. Managing horse pastures on cold, heavy or clay soil can prove difficult as grass growth and regrowth can be slow, particularly in early spring, due to naturally lower soil temperatures. The vigorous shrub Leycesteria formosa grows just about anywhere and succeeds well on clay, even on damp sites. There's no reason to give up on your garden just because of a little stubborn dirt, though. Broadcast your seed at the rate recommended on the bag. This can cause root burn. Normally a light tilling to break up the clay, apply some topsoil and grass seed on top, rake lightly so the seed is about 1/8 inch deep into the topsoil and cover 100% with hay and keep watering until you see new grass sprouting up. Clay soil needs regular aeration to allow water and oxygen to move freely through it. The tall arching, hollow stems are sea-green. You just spent a lot of time adding biomaterial to your soil, so don't start depriving it now. Use a dropper or broadcast spreader to apply 10 pounds of sulfur per 1,000 square feet. The grass has to be actively growing. That is a lot of work. I hope someone can give me a little hope. It can be impossible to dig, and, without some amendments, may not allow us to plant. If the ground was not levelled well, it will be hard or impossible to obtain an even grass height when mowing. Another dose of granulated sulfur will being the pH back to where it needs to be. Now would be a good time to dethatch your entire lawn, not just the parts you are working. It is possible, but there is some hard work and expense involved. The ratio of inorganic material to clay, however, has to be pretty precise. Hard, dense, compacted clay soil types can be a nightmare to get a shovel through, let alone raise healthy plants in. If your soil is alkaline, and it almost certainly is, you'll need to spread some granulated sulfur. And it's usually very alkaline. Clay soil is made up of tons of small particles that stick together, clinging to moisture. They will soon establish a self-sustaining population. To prepare clay soil for grass, incorporate organic material into the soil. The flower clusters hang from the branches from early summer through to autumn, claret red bracts interspersed with small white flowers. Water at least once daily, preferably around dawn, for the first week. If not, you may want to consider removing your existing grass and starting over with one of the above. Your good grass will grow up through it, and your weak grass will die and become compost. Is that the only solution? I would sure appreciate any input you may have. This will ensure that the top six inches of soil gets some moisture. You can succeed with clay soil whether you're planting a new lawn or rehabilitating a long-existing one. Growing it on a clay soil means that its even lower maintenance. Any more than a one-point drop should be done in two applications spaced three months apart. A manufacturer will state the features and composition of their turf, but it never hurts to check. Don't use fill dirt. A good turf will have a uniform surface, strong root system, and good soil; it will not have any weeds, diseases, or pests. Some people use sand or gypsum to break clay soil up. It doesn't let water drain easily, and it bakes solid when dry. You'll plant seed later to make your lawn thick and green. Improve the clay and you will improve the … Topdressing should give your lawn all of the extra nutrients it needs. What’s the best grass for clay soil? Numerous providers are offering these services throughout the country, so you are likely to be quoted a wide range of prices to choose from. Either way, newly planted seed needs a good watering right away. Clay soil can be heavy and hard to dig. If you have time, break this task up into two. In a nutshell, you have to correct your soil's pH, add organic material and overseed. Add a handful of powdered gypsum to the bottom of the planting hole. The fast, thick growth you're looking forward to will begin by the middle of the following spring. Aerate in the second year and every two to three years after that. Follow some basic steps to make grass grow in red clay soil and establish a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood. Once you're sure that your soil is good and healthy, consider adding some earthworms to help keep your topsoil nice and loose. Skip this step if you don't have thatch. This is where diligence is required in adding proper components of organic materials into the clay soil before laying the sod is ideal to get grass turf going. The optimal pH for a lawn's soil is 6.5. The biggest benefit to having clay is its capacity to hold an amazing amount of nutrients and water. Trees, shrubs (especially roses), climbers and many bulbs are easier to grow on clay soils than plants that require frequent sowing, planting or dividing; annuals or bedding plants, for example Planting woody plants on slight (25cm/10in) mounds can help avoid root damage from waterlogging Undertake a soil pH test and apply dolomite lime in order to raise the pH level to 6.5. Soak that good layer of mixed clay and organic matter well. If the topsoil was not good enough or the turf was not laid properly, the lawn can die within weeks. 0. More is better. I'll explain how to go about each task outlined below in a way that best suits your own particular situation. Soak that good layer of mixed clay and organic matter well. However, deeper spiking is better, especially with a tool designed to leave holes 10-15cm (4-6in) deep. When you do mow, let your clippings fall where they may. If the weeds were not taken care of in advance, they may start poking through the new lawn. You want to slice them cleanly with the blade. Clay soil is generally fertile and a wide range of plants, including roses grow well on it. It's almost impossible to overdo it. THIS TECHNIQUE ONLY WORKS ON SOME CLAY SOILS - TO FIND OUT IF THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING TEST: When you do, take care of it. The first option is much easier, and that is why many people choose to install drainage and cap the area with quality topsoil instead of trying to improve the clay soil itself when laying turf on clay. Grass grown in clay soil requires less frequent watering than lawns grown on sandy soil. That's because it is extremely heavy and thick. Started appearing after 6 or 7 days and grew quickly. The grass' roots will work to break up and loosen the clay soil below. You can get a simple soil tester for about $10. Clippings don't cause thatch, but they do supply a continuing and free source of organic material for your new lawn. Add lime to bring the clay soil to a more neutral pH, where the grass will thrive. I have battled clay soil and turned it into my friend. Let me show you how to grow grass in clay soil and grow a beautiful lawn. They also tend to hold less water, so plants need watering sooner. How can you grow grass in it when the roots have to struggle to find nutrients that are locked up by alkalinity? It is organic, of course, but it's too thick to leave laying on your lawn. Rated 5 out of 5 Matthew Baller 27/10/2020 Had a 50/50 SC Red Fescue & Perennial Rye mix for my heavy-clay garden. Lawn - shouldn't be a problem at all, grass will grow on all kinds of soils and the top-soil over clay means that it's far less likely to ever dry out and get scorched. Aerate after the ground thaws, when soil is moist (not soaking) and during the growing season. Add too little, and you literally end up with brick. Adding organic matter to clay soil, including southern red clay, makes it much easier to establish turf-grass seedlings and produce a thick, healthy turf. Shallow, 2-3cm (1in), pricking or slitting will help. What happens is the grass will grow roots into the new organic material that works its way to the top of the soil. Tips for better growth. You're improving your soil, but it's still clay. However, clay soil is perhaps the most difficult to work with. If your willing to put the work in, clay soils can actually be an awesome soil to grow plants and grass in. When moist, these soils are sticky and unpleasant to cultivate, although not as intractable as a clay soil. That's what you have now. Dont use chemical fertilizers unless you see a serious deficiency of some nutrient. Don't use wood chips either. As the years go on, your good layer of rich topsoil will get thicker and thicker. Continue to provide at least an inch of water per week. Get your soil tested. I'm on several acres and have dreams of mass plantings of the graceful beauties. Compost, topsoil and manure all make fantastic amendments for clay soil. Water at least once daily, preferably around dawn, for the first week. Rake up the thatch, and add it to your compost pile or the organic matter you'll use to amend your clay. Spread worms in even handfuls throughout your lawn. Here is a list of grasses that grow well in clay: If your lawn currently consists of one of these, get the same kind of seed. Share. Mix it into the first 4 to 6 inches and cover with quality topsoil before seeding. If you are rehabilitating an entire lawn, or a big chunk of one, you would be better off working the amendment in with a tiller. However it can be very heavy and wet in winter and difficult to cultivate. Higher numbers are alkaline. Just spread it on top. The best grass for clay soil is generally a grass with a robust root system that grows deep. Make sure your lawn gets at least an inch of water every week. Keep everyone and everything off of your newly renovated lawn for at least a month. If your lawn is growing in a poor clay soil, it will always be prone to the problems that come with clay - compaction, poor drainage, fungus, moss, weeds, poor nutrient availability and color, root-stress and a host of other undesirable conditions. Sprinkle the soil with water to moisten the holes. It doesn't, however, mean you can't grow gorgeous plants anyway. Be sure to let the provider know that you require laying turf on clay, so they include additional services into the quote. To dethatch a lawn you're going to keep, go over your working area twice with a good thatch rake or powered dethatcher. Facebook ... grass growing after a few weeks in Oct. This will bring your soil down one-half of a point. Ask your agricultural extension office for help, if you need it. Nutrient-poor soil causes grass lawn problems like brown spots, weeds (dandelions like poor soil), grass disease, Leather jackets and the inevitable bare patches. It takes too long to biodegrade above ground. There are two ways to go about preparing your clay soil for laying the turf. Plant grass plugs by digging holes about 6 inches apart along the lawn area. Scatter some straw over the entire area you are planting. Clay soil can make gardening tough. May 27, 2013 - Heavy clay, red or otherwise, is inhospitable to most plant life, but there are things that you can do to make sure that your property has a healthy green lawn. With this project, it's best to get each step done right before moving on to the next. If you add too much, you get inconsistent, loose soil. 10 plants for clay soil: If you want to use a service, simply browse online for the one that operates in your area and ask them for a quote. While you can use many of these tips for your landscape and garden, the rest of this article will be aimed toward the turf. Adding sand to your clay soil can be time consuming and costly. The first is to incorporate sand into your soil to give it drainage. 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