Help with our lawn! Can you mix lime with clay to make good soil?

Question

Our lawn is a disaster. We have about an inch of good soil and then under that it's all clay. So as soon as we get a couple sunny days and no rain, the whole lawn dies.. It's really embarrassing. This has been happening every year. I've tried expensive lawn seed that's supposed to be drought resistant, and it dies just as fast and regular lawn seed.

I've heard you can mix lime with clay to make good soil. Is this true? What's the procedure for doing this? Should I use a tiller and just mix the lime and clay all together?

Answer 1

Two things will remedy your problem, either sand or gypsum. I STRONGLY recommend sand and lots of it, I'm not talking a few hundred pounds. Sand will stop the clay from hardening like concrete when it is hot and dry. Gypsum will do the same job but to a lesser degree, it will however "sweeten" the soil. Be VERY careful about watering, use soaker hoses, water "Deeply" once a week to promote a deep root system that can tolerate heat and drought. Watering for 20 or 30 minutes multiple times a week will encourage the roots to remain near the surface since they don't have to go deep to get the moisture required, your grass becomes susceptible to heat, drought, foot traffic and many other problems. NEVER mow your grass short, set your mower to 1 notch down from the highest setting.

Answer 2

Many of the answers, Dragon in particular, were appropriate. You want a simple answer to a complex question. Any steps you've taken, Ph levels of the soil, etc. As you state you have clay based soil. What would make you add lime? You need to take a number of soil samples from your grounds. Contact your local Extension Agent or State University. A person there will directly contact you to do a soil analysis. What you assume is clay may be nutrient deprieved. None of us that answer willl know the answer to that question until you do it. The service I suggest is free of charge (minimal at best) and provided through your state university (coast to coast). It got this bad, another year, won't be so bad with a solution in hand. Good Luck Friend.

Answer 3

We have clay and if you understand it, it is a good thing. Very rich and will grow just about anything.

For a pretty lawn water for 25 to 30 minutes per section, move your sprinkler to another section and do the same thing; and so on until all your lawn is watered. In the hot summer this needs to be done about every other day, or at least every three days. Be sure to water after you mow the lawn.

We use the Scott's fertilizer program. Add your name and email to their website and they will let you know when it is time to fertilize in your area and what to use when.

Water garden-beds every other day a couple or three inches deep. If you get into 90 to 115 degrees, you need to water your beds everyday. We use pound-in liners around our beds to hold in water. You can buy this product at places such as Wal-Mart.

CLAY SOILS:
Water stands on top of the clay soil and soaks in slowly. If you water too much at one time.....say an hour or so....your lawn's roots or the flower roots do not get the oxygen they need to be healthy.

You can find out more about this from your local County Extension Service or Agent. Most have home gardener "kits" that are free for the asking. Don't be shy. Your taxes pay for this service. :o)

Answer 4

Adding lime to soil will make the soil more alkaline. This may not be needed if your soil is already in that condition. Very heavy clay needs to be loosened by mixing in organic matter such as compost along with some coarser material such as sand to improve drainage.

Before you do add any lime, you should get a soil test to see what you need in the way of balancing the pH. You may not need anything.

Mixing compost into your soil is always a good idea and will eventually bring your soil to a near neutral pH and also provide for excellent drainage.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Gypsum helps break up clay soils. Just breaking up the soil, however, will not solve the problem.

What you want to do is have the lawn aerated with a core aerator. You can have this done or rent the machine and do it yourself. Immediately after doing this spread peat moss over the lawn, raking it in with a leaf rake so that the peat fills the holes left by the aerator.

This is a long term solution. If you do this in the spring and fall for a couple of years, combined with the application of gypsum, you'll soon have a lawn to be proud of.

Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/

Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!

Answer 6

Lime changes the acidity of the soil. That's about it. You need to add organic material to break up the clay. Well seasoned mushroom compost is your best bet.
Or just forgo a yard full of lawn and make mulch beds with paths of good deep lawn between. Would be easier to do, maintain, and prettier.

Answer 7

I know your issues... when we bought our house there was not lawn at all... black plastic with wood chips and all clay underneath.. we had to take up the black plastic and chips and put in drainage and add topsoil and seed it.. we mixed sand and mulched leaves with the clay.. and lots of them and added any kind of fresh or bagged fertilizer we could ... We did lime it every year and finally after several years we have normal soil.. It takes time and patience believe me..I would till it up, add the leaves, sand, fertilizer, lime, compost, anything to break up that clay and then a layer of topsoil and a very hardy grass seed ... Good luck.....

Answer 8

Gypsum Helps Recondition Clay And Hardpan Type Soils
http://www.humeseeds.com/gypsum.htm
Lime wouldn't hurt it will sweeten the soil but discover the use of gypsum. You'll be glad you dis.