While you can use many of these tips for your landscape and garden, the rest of this article will be aimed toward the turf. If the topsoil was not good enough or the turf was not laid properly, the lawn can die within weeks. Now we need to make the soil looser so roots can grow into it. However it can be very heavy and wet in winter and difficult to cultivate. 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. You need enough material to add a level one-quarter to one inch on top of your clay. THIS TECHNIQUE ONLY WORKS ON SOME CLAY SOILS - TO FIND OUT IF THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING TEST: Make sure your lawn gets at least an inch of water every week. Higher numbers are alkaline. Spread your organic material evenly over the area you're working, then till or aerate. Nutrient-poor soil causes grass lawn problems like brown spots, weeds (dandelions like poor soil), grass disease, Leather jackets and the inevitable bare patches. Spread worms in even handfuls throughout your lawn. Improve the clay and you will improve the … After you spread your sulfur, wait eight weeks and check your pH again. The vigorous shrub Leycesteria formosa grows just about anywhere and succeeds well on clay, even on damp sites. Tips for better growth. You can still plant the same type of seed as your current lawn, but it may take a few seasons to get established well. They don't break up the soil enough, and a compound in decomposing wood locks nitrogen in the soil. Most grass seed will grow in various soil types. Any more than a one-point drop should be done in two applications spaced three months apart. Clay soil is made up of tiny mineral particles with very little organic material to separate all those microscopic rocks. Gather material such as organic fertilizer, compost, lawn clippings, and leaves. Topdressing should give your lawn all of the extra nutrients it needs. In a nutshell, you have to correct your soil's pH, add organic material and overseed. This will get your two soil types mixed up better. Has anyone had personal success growing on nasty clay? Gardeners … Undertake a soil pH test and apply dolomite lime in order to raise the pH level to 6.5. They are difficult to work with, as well as their ineffective drainage creates moist lawns that encourage worms and weeds. 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. If it doesn't rain enough, you'll have to water. Rake it up, though. It doesn't let water drain easily, and it bakes solid when dry. Short grass will allow you to check whether there are any weeds in the layer. Check with your local extension office (listed under government in the phone book) for a soil testing kit. Don't use fill dirt. Prior to choosing the turf for laying turf on clay, you may want to take a close look at the samples. 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). 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. The fast, thick growth you're looking forward to will begin by the middle of the following spring. You can use a plug aerator for smaller areas. Your good grass will grow up through it, and your weak grass will die and become compost. If you're tearing your lawn up and creating a new one, this is easy. This will bring your soil down one-half of a point. Prior to laying turf on clay soils, you need to improve the structure of your soil. 1) A variety of cool season grasses should be planted during the fall or spring. It’s far better to grow plants that thrive in clay soil and the good news is that there are some great plants to choose from. That's why topdressing is such a great way to continue adding organics to your lawn. Just spread it on top. Aerate in the second year and every two to three years after that. Scatter some straw over the entire area you are planting. I'll explain how to go about each task outlined below in a way that best suits your own particular situation. Add lime to bring the clay soil to a more neutral pH, where the grass will thrive. You want to slice them cleanly with the blade. I'm on several acres and have dreams of mass plantings of the graceful beauties. If you do, you need to get rid of as much of it as possible. Plant grass plugs by digging holes about 6 inches apart along the lawn area. How can you grow grass in it when the roots have to struggle to find nutrients that are locked up by alkalinity? If you seeded in spring or summer, you should see quick growth within two or three weeks. What’s the best grass for clay soil? Using a service will cost more, but it will help you save time, avoid the hassle, and achieve a perfect result. We may earn a small commission through purchases made via some links on our website. That's because it is extremely heavy and thick. Another thing is that it's much easier to get the right ratio of organics to clay. And it's usually very alkaline. 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. What happens is the grass will grow roots into the new organic material that works its way to the top of the soil. Clay soil needs regular aeration to allow water and oxygen to move freely through it. This will ensure that the top six inches of soil gets some moisture. The tall arching, hollow stems are sea-green. Either way, newly planted seed needs a good watering right away. There are plenty of forms of organic material you can use. Mix it into the first 4 to 6 inches and cover with quality topsoil before seeding. Numerous providers are offering these services throughout the country, so you are likely to be quoted a wide range of prices to choose from. The grass' roots will work to break up and loosen the clay soil below. It takes too long to biodegrade above ground. I would sure appreciate any input you may have. Therefore, clay soils require special consideration. 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. There are two ways to go about preparing your clay soil for laying the turf. For one thing, it supplies nutrients that your beautiful new lawn is going to need. 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. These grass varieties help to work out the clay-loam soil throughout the year. Yearly testing is fine. 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. 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 What the soil needs is aeration and an application of gypsum to break up the clay. I LOVE ornamental grasses but I'm cursed with heavy clay soil with the added bonus of poor drainage. In dry periods, the hardened soil can crack. Shallow, 2-3cm (1in), pricking or slitting will help. Hard, dense, compacted clay soil types can be a nightmare to get a shovel through, let alone raise healthy plants in. The mixture of clay and chalk in these soils makes them excellent vegetable growing soils, but they do not grow fruit well. Soak that good layer of mixed clay and organic matter well. That is a lot of work. Keep the grass seeds moist until they germinate, then reduce watering slowly. You shouldn't notice any thatch for at least a few years. Share. The fertilizer can concentrate at the level where the clay meets the new soil. This will vary depending on the type of grass, whether you are planting a new lawn or overseeding. Clay soils are heavy and sticky when wet, and lumpy and hard when dry. [, 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. 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. Soak that good layer of mixed clay and organic matter well. If you have time, break this task up into two. Follow the directions on the kit, and ship it to the state … The required work can be performed by a homeowner or turf laying service. 10 plants for clay soil: To prepare clay soil for grass, incorporate organic material into the soil. You can get a simple soil tester for about $10. 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. The grass has to be actively growing. When moist, these soils are sticky and unpleasant to cultivate, although not as intractable as a clay soil. Aerate after the ground thaws, when soil is moist (not soaking) and during the growing season. Experts will tell you to dig in plenty of organic matter, which may be easier said than done. Super green grass seed ideal for clay soils Quick to establish and easy to repair lawn seed Ask a question. You'll plant seed later to make your lawn thick and green. Clay soil is generally fertile and a wide range of plants, including roses grow well on it. Don't mow until your new grass is a good three inches tall. More is better. Be sure to keep your mower blades sharp. It doesn't, however, mean you can't grow gorgeous plants anyway. There are certain tips in which grass would grow better in clay soil. However, deeper spiking is better, especially with a tool designed to leave holes 10-15cm (4-6in) deep. Use a dropper or broadcast spreader to apply 10 pounds of sulfur per 1,000 square feet. Once you get your pH right, the grass roots will be able to use the nutrients in the soil. If not, you may want to consider removing your existing grass and starting over with one of the above. There is still some clay under your good top soil. It’s prone to waterlogging in winter and cracking in summer, but it’s also nutritious and moisture retentive. 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. If this means you'll have to wait until tbe following year to actually plant seed, so be it. Aerators remove plugs of dirt from the lawn and break up the soil, allowing grass roots to spread. Turf costs a lot, but it's easy to ruin it. 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. You can skip this step if you are overseeding, just be sure to work the seed down to soil level with a leaf rake. Organic matter, Mother Earth’s great equalizer. Broadcast your seed at the rate recommended on the bag. I highly recommend using organic matter instead. You can succeed with clay soil whether you're planting a new lawn or rehabilitating a long-existing one. As your lawn fills in, there will be many tender young grass shoots trying to fill in any bare spots. To dethatch a lawn you're going to keep, go over your working area twice with a good thatch rake or powered dethatcher. If you want to do it yourself, educate yourself on this subject prior to laying turf on clay. The ratio of inorganic material to clay, however, has to be pretty precise. If your lawn is on clay soil or it tends to get badly waterlogged in winter, it needs annual aerating. Continue to provide at least an inch of water per week. Vivosun makes an accurate, low-priced meter that tests pH, moisture and sunlight levels. Once you're sure that your soil is good and healthy, consider adding some earthworms to help keep your topsoil nice and loose. I hope someone can give me a little hope. Grass grown in clay soil requires less frequent watering than lawns grown on sandy soil. If your willing to put the work in, clay soils can actually be an awesome soil to grow plants and grass in. Started appearing after 6 or 7 days and grew quickly. They also tend to hold less water, so plants need watering sooner. Buy grasses for clay soils: Delivery by Crocus Click here for the latest information on COVID-19. Don't use wood chips either. Keep in mind that the best time to topdress with organic matter is right after aeration. To state the obvious: it’s not easy to grow in clay soil. If the weeds were not taken care of in advance, they may start poking through the new lawn. Clay soil can be heavy and hard to dig. Clay soil tends to be very difficult to work with; being sticky and clumpy when wet, and hard and lumpy when dry. Clay soil is made up of tons of small particles that stick together, clinging to moisture. If the ground was not levelled well, it will be hard or impossible to obtain an even grass height when mowing. If you have to make this choice, remember that it's better to have a lawn of uniform variety. Facebook ... grass growing after a few weeks in Oct. If your soil is alkaline, and it almost certainly is, you'll need to spread some granulated sulfur. The aspects that can ruin the lawn are: the topsoil was not good enough for plant growth, the turf was not laid properly, the ground was not levelled well, or the weeds were not completely eliminated. Clippings don't cause thatch, but they do supply a continuing and free source of organic material for your new lawn. Pricking, slitting or spiking. Raised beds and french drains are not an option at this time. Water at least once daily, preferably around dawn, for the first week. First, determine what type or grass your lawn is made of. With this project, it's best to get each step done right before moving on to the next. It can be impossible to dig, and, without some amendments, may not allow us to plant. 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. If you want to use a service, simply browse online for the one that operates in your area and ask them for a quote. As the years go on, your good layer of rich topsoil will get thicker and thicker. Clay soils are traditionally quite acidic and not very receptive to the nutrients available in the soil even after fertilisation. 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. 0. Add a handful of powdered gypsum to the bottom of the planting hole. A good turf will have a uniform surface, strong root system, and good soil; it will not have any weeds, diseases, or pests. Growing it on a clay soil means that its even lower maintenance. You can do the same. Adding sand to your clay soil can be time consuming and costly. You're improving your soil, but it's still clay. Add too little, and you literally end up with brick. 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. 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). However, clay soil is perhaps the most difficult to work with. It’s dense, does not drain well—unless it’s on a slope, and then everything runs off. Rake up the thatch, and add it to your compost pile or the organic matter you'll use to amend your clay. Some people use sand or gypsum to break clay soil up. Sprinkle the soil with water to moisten the holes. I have battled clay soil and turned it into my friend. Be sure to let the provider know that you require laying turf on clay, so they include additional services into the quote. 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. 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. My soil is very poor and my lawn is all worn and patchy Poor soil is a problem when trying to grow a grass lawn. Let me show you how to grow grass in clay soil and grow a beautiful lawn. If done right, laying turf on clay will bring a great outcome. Pricking or slitting the surface can improve a waterlogged lawn. It’s not all bad news, but you do have to outsmart it. Keep everyone and everything off of your newly renovated lawn for at least a month. It would be a good idea to topdress once during the first year. Compost, topsoil and manure all make fantastic amendments for clay soil. Manually break up the clay in the planting hole, then plant and water in well. Do this between late spring and late summer. When you do, take care of it. 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