Gardening in red Georgia clay...please advise!?

Question

Hi all! My sister lives right outside Atlanta GA and wants to do a complete makeover to her backyard and I am going to help. (I'm from up north and never had to deal with clay) Her biggest concern is to cover up the red clay with something, she thought perhaps new sod, but her neighbors have all tried this and have not had much success. Her main point is she has two small children who want to play in the yard, yet there is never any grass and they end up with shoes all covered in that thick clay that stains everything. I am just beginning my research on this issue, and it seems that clay holds too much water. I see it is recommended to mix the clay with sand and gypsum to break it up, but that is not a permanent fix as the clay will eventually absorb this according to some. Is there any kind of perennial ground cover that will grow in clay that can be put in one part of her yard that the kids can play on, that might replace sod/grass? Something soft yet durable? Thanks!!

Answer 1

I would work on the soil. Add lots of organic material, sand and most importantly gypsum. Gypsum does not change the PH level of the soil but breaks the soil up to allow drainage.

When I did Horticulture we were informed that you only needed to use Gypsum 3 times. (Once a year). It stays in the soil and is not lost but in really bad clay it will have to be used more than once.

Grass usually needs good drainage, so if you just tip top soil onto the clay or turf over the water will be trapped and this is probably what has happened to your neighbours.

If I were you I would use the sand and the gypsum, rotary hoe it in, use a turf underlay (special top soil) and then lay your turf. If you had plenty of time you would dig in sand and gypsum and organic matter for a few years, then plant, this may be useful information for garden beds at a later date.

Whatever you do will involve work, unfortunately there are no easy solutions. Good luck.

Answer 2

The best way to correct heavy clay is by adding compost (or other organic matter) and you can also add some gypsum. The gypsum seems to work on the molecular level and the compost physically holds the clay apart. It can take years to develop a good topsoil doing this however. Sand and clay will sometimes turn the soil into a big red brick especially in hot and dry areas. I'd take it easy with the sand.

I would try zoysia grass. It's durable and provides a thick cover but a lot of people think it's not the best looking grass. I'm with the group that thinks its not very attractive but it may be what you need for your situation.

Answer 3

That's a tough one. Having lots of family in Georgia and growing up playing in that red clay. That stuff gets all over the place. My tennis shoes were a mess. I've herd that a perennial ground cover named Homestead Purple Verbena grows pretty well in clay if you grow it in a full sun area. Best of all it is a spreading perennial that blooms all spring and summer long.

Answer 4

Best thing to do is probably to get a couple truckloads of topsoil from a bulk landscape/garden supply. it is unfortunate that clay as good as the nice GA clay (I am a ceramist) is so poor for landscaping.

A good idea is to get retaining boards on the perimeter to prevent the purchased topsoil from eroding away. Another good idea is to aerate it (walking on it with spiked shoes is a good way) to help dissipate water after a rainstorm.