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Getting grass to grow on clay
Posted on 4/3/15 at 7:24 pm
Posted on 4/3/15 at 7:24 pm
I purchased a piece of land and built a pad on it for my house.
I was having some severe drainage problems so I had to bring in more clay to shape the land to allow for better drainage.
This is a picture of the clay in part of the backyard
Now that the drainage problem is solved how do I start getting grass to grow?
My dirt guy said that this was a clay top soil mix but I'm not sure about that.
I don't want to add top soil with fear that it will ruin my drainage correction? Any tips?
I was having some severe drainage problems so I had to bring in more clay to shape the land to allow for better drainage.
This is a picture of the clay in part of the backyard
Now that the drainage problem is solved how do I start getting grass to grow?
My dirt guy said that this was a clay top soil mix but I'm not sure about that.
I don't want to add top soil with fear that it will ruin my drainage correction? Any tips?
Posted on 4/3/15 at 7:36 pm to geauxcats10
sand or river silt
but don't use spillway sand or you'll get torpedo gras
but don't use spillway sand or you'll get torpedo gras
Posted on 4/3/15 at 7:42 pm to cgrand
The sand will add organic matter?
I thought sand + clay = concrete ???
I thought sand + clay = concrete ???
This post was edited on 4/3/15 at 7:44 pm
Posted on 4/3/15 at 8:07 pm to geauxcats10
sand + Portland cement = concrete. The clay is organics
you need a drainable layer above it for the sod to root in. it would likely root right in the clay but it wouldn't drain and would be soggy under the sod
you need a drainable layer above it for the sod to root in. it would likely root right in the clay but it wouldn't drain and would be soggy under the sod
Posted on 4/3/15 at 8:35 pm to cgrand
Do You recommend throwing out rye grass seed now just to get something started?
Also once the sand is down how long till I throw out grass seed?
Also once the sand is down how long till I throw out grass seed?
Posted on 4/3/15 at 9:00 pm to geauxcats10
if you are going to seed it (not sod) you are going to want a matrix of some sort to keep the seed from washing away
that much grass seed I would call a professional. Your other option is the old school way of buying a small amount of sod, cutting it into chunks, and planting those about 24" apart. In a year or so they'll fill in
that much grass seed I would call a professional. Your other option is the old school way of buying a small amount of sod, cutting it into chunks, and planting those about 24" apart. In a year or so they'll fill in
Posted on 4/3/15 at 9:01 pm to geauxcats10
rye is a cool season grass
It won't grow in the summer
It won't grow in the summer
Posted on 4/3/15 at 9:07 pm to geauxcats10
Are you trying to get it looking like a golf course or the side of the interstate? If all you're worried about is erosion throw enough river silt on it to cover the seeds and pick up a couple bags of seeds for southern climate, rye grass is not ideal.
Posted on 4/3/15 at 9:28 pm to Citica8
Haha its out in the country so by no means a golf course... I just want some grass so everytime it rains my yard is not a big mud/clay pit...
And I want to retain the drainage I have now
And I want to retain the drainage I have now
This post was edited on 4/3/15 at 9:29 pm
Posted on 4/3/15 at 9:46 pm to geauxcats10
Just thro some centipede or St Aug sod out there
Itll grow jus fine
What youve got aint total stiff clay
Itll grow jus fine
What youve got aint total stiff clay
Posted on 4/4/15 at 12:38 pm to Drop4Loss
Hmmmm maybe I'll buy a pallet just crosser how it takes
Posted on 4/4/15 at 2:17 pm to geauxcats10
Buy some st Augustine sod and cut it into plugs to plant in your yard...water it properly and it will grow over anything...
Posted on 4/4/15 at 4:49 pm to geauxcats10
quote:
Buy some st Augustine sod and cut it into plugs to plant in your yard...
Posted on 4/4/15 at 7:32 pm to geauxcats10
If your worried about losibg your grading just run strips of st Augustine sod to try and slow down the water
Posted on 4/4/15 at 8:04 pm to geauxcats10
Just break it up with a harrow, disc, or tiller. Fertilize and seed. If you are ready for grass now, do centipede or Bermuda. If not, do rye in the fall and something else next spring
Posted on 4/4/15 at 8:31 pm to geauxcats10
How big is the section of land you want to cover/plant?
Posted on 4/4/15 at 11:19 pm to geauxcats10
Clay lacks food for grass to grow. So you either have to add food (chemical fertilzer), or till in some organic material to naturally feed the grass. It is really your only two options. You can take a sample of soil to your county exchange and they will tell you what you have.
Posted on 4/5/15 at 12:05 am to geauxcats10
buy top soil
you need to amend the hell out of it with organic matter no SAND you could take yard clippings mulch till it in but it takes time just buy top soil or just sod it
you need to amend the hell out of it with organic matter no SAND you could take yard clippings mulch till it in but it takes time just buy top soil or just sod it
Posted on 4/5/15 at 6:14 am to geauxcats10
So we're aren't talking about a 3 acre plot of land. Just sod the sections you are worried about run off in strips, then do the plugs things too. Or you could drop off some top soil and plant seeds.
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