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How to Boost a Clay Soil Lawn

heavy clay soil lawn
A lawn with clay soil is heavy and compact when it really is wet. It may absorb and trap water for extended periods, creating it difficult for grass to turn out to be established. When clay soil is left to dry out, it becomes hard, restricting drainage and reducing the amount of oxygen that is capable to reach the grass's root system. For regions which might be not planted with grass, tilling and mixing of organic compost with the existing soil will be the fastest approach to amend and appropriate drainage problems. Sources of organic compost include sawdust, seasoned manure, leaves, and sphagnum peat moss. If the grass is currently established in the lawn, you are going to need to take some extra methods to enhance the soil.

  1. Take a soil sample and test it to determine the fertility, pH, and nutrients which can be lacking in the soil. Most regional cooperative extension offices have a list of advised soil testing labs or you can buy a soil test kit at a garden center and do the testing your self.
  2. Measure the length and width of the lawn, in feet, and multiply them together to get the square footage of the area. Subtract the areas you do not need to treat to determine the total area. You need to know the square footage to calculate the proper amount of fertilizer and other soil amendments.
  3. Pass an aerator over the moist lawn many times and in different directions, twice a year. This removes plugs of soil, leaving behind small holes in the ground that can enable air and nutrients to mix together with the clay soil. You can purchase an aerator at most garden centers.
  4. Mix four parts sand, 2 components loam, 1 element peat and thinly spread a 1/2-inch layer evenly more than the current lawn, raking it into the surface. One yard, or 27 cubic feet, of the mixture, will cover about 600 square feet.
  5. Fertilize the lawn using a comprehensive fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Refer to the soil test report for specifics on nutrient ratios. A slow-release fertilizer will work best to provide nutrients towards the soil all through the whole season.
  6. Set the lawnmower deck to cut the grass at 3 inches tall. Taller grass will let to get a stronger and deeper root system. Leave the clippings on the ground right after mowing since the clippings will break down and add nutrients back towards the soil.