What kind of grass grows well in clay??

Question

I live in central NC, I have red clay in my yard and have had a hard time getting grass to grow. Any recommendations??

Answer 1

Fescue and Bermuda both will do well in your NC red clay. The others are right, you should get your soil tested now by NCSU. Apply the lime they tell you to as soon as you get their report back. I would not try Fescue now. That needs to be seeded in September-October. It is possible, but does not work well, to plant it now. I would not waste my time and money on it until September.
The next oportunity for establishing seed is late May-early June. That is when you can seed Bermuda. Common Bermuda seed are cheaper, but I recommend an improved Bermuda seed like Sahara. The best and finest Bermuda lawns come from sod only. Zoysia sod and Fescue sod will do well in clay, and along with Bermuda, can be laid when weather begins to warm up for spring. There are only three reasons the grass in your yard is not doing well: a low lawn that holds water and doesn't drain, too much shade, or too acidic a soil. The most likely problem, acidic soil, is addressed by the lime appplication. Don't despair! Grass grows in NC clay!

Answer 2

I live in central NC as well. The clay here creates a number of issues that need to be addressed to make grass grow. By and large, Confederate grass seed does the best in most locations, and there are places in Raleigh that carry it, but the acidity of the soil and the poor drainage have to be dealt with first. The best course of action is to have the yard aerated right now, although this is usually done in October. Then you need to go to Lowes and get some pelletized lime (how much to use is on a table on the bag, but you can get the county to test your soil for free to tell you exactly what you need), but make sure you don't spread it near dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendrons as they like a lot of acid. Around the beginning of March you need to put down a fertilizer called tupersan to allow grass seed to grow, but not crabgrass. Seed a week after you put this down. You really should seed in October, when you aerate, but that is for next time. Places that get full sun and are on steep hillsides should be sodded as the seed will not take there.

Answer 3

Depending upon when you moved into the house and when the previous owners last squirted/applied the weed and feed I would not worry. Most of it ends up in the soil(under the grass) or as run off after a few rains. We've had a really wet winter. The grass, after a few cuttings, will be perfectly safe for your dog and child. I would use the extra soil you have (in the plot) as a place to plant flowers. Dirt is expensive to haul off b/c of it's weight. So relax, enjoy the grass and carfully (and legally) dispose of the chemicals. We had the same situation when we moved into our home, and our previous home's owners had way more stuff than just weed and feed. enjoy the grass!

Answer 4

Clay is poorly drained and easily compacted when walked on. Not an ideal situation for any lawn grass. Soils which are compact prevent water, air and nutrients from reaching the roots. I would prepare the soil first by rototilling the clay and adding topsoil and organic compost. A minimum of 4" of topsoil is needed for a healthy, low maintenance lawn.

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Answer 5

Bermuda does well in red clay. I know because my whole yard is red clay and is covered in bermuda.

Answer 6

SORRY TO MABY BURST YOUR BUBBLE BUT NO GRASS WILL GROW VARY WELL AT ALL IN CLAY SEE THE WATER AND NETRIENCE CANT GETTO THE GRASS IN CLAY BEACUSE IT IS WELL YOU KNOW CLAY IT WOULD BE LIKE TRYING TOGROW GRASS IN PLAY DOAGH

Answer 7

Kentucky Bluegrass. It's got a thicker blade, and is a more of light green, but it's still full and nice.