Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions How to get grass established on clay?

Thank you! I will get it done sometime in the next few weeks. (Right before the fish go in.) I just didn't want to do anything to damage the water quality, and harm fish.

In the long run a good turf around the water will pay off. the better the grass is established the less erosion.

I'll be re-seeding, putting down lime, and fertilizing this wknd..
I'm sure the ice will be gone, but all the rain that's come thru in the last week, all of it "missed" my farm..

There is a product called--EROSION MATS--

Let me try that again the mats are 8 feet wide and will cover about a 100 feet it has to be staked down. The roll is sold with the staples, They will guarantee the grass will grow and will prevent erosion. Cost about 30.00 dollars

Thanks Mike, I used four big rolls initially, and they worked well. I've just got some weak spots and overall the new grass and wheat seem weak. It barely got started last fall, and is on solid clay covered by straw or mats. I just want to help it along, but I'm concerned with fertilizing around the pond, and what the subsequent washing of the fertilizer into the water will do. Rex is bringing in fish (GS, RES, YP, and SMB) in a few weeks. I put in FHM last summer. I don't know.. Does fertilizer getting into the water present a problem? If not, I'll quit worrying.
Thanks again.

Talk to Rex and see what he thinks. Bill Cody will sure know if you need to worry about that

Just burned one of my prairies on red clay. Beautiful day for a burn with my daughter home from college, friends, and neighbors. Its all about understanding your soil, proper planning, patience, and a lot of work. Life is good!

RAH, that's one of my favorite things to do. When it's safe to do of course.

SetterGuy, I fertilize the dam every year, and stick with a balanced low number fertilizer. Something like a cheap 10-10-10 mix. I apply it at half the recommended rate, and have never had any pond issues. I also concentrate on the upper half of the dam, because a certain amount will leach down with rain and watering.

Haven't had time to read entire thread but I had same problem. I threw down a clover/fescue mix and topped with straw. Didn't have watering problem. I then plugged Zoysia in the mix and it spreading like wild fire. Can't wait till it takes over. We have a seed company locally and will give you cull seed for next to nothing. Did not know this at my building time. A friend put around his pond so thick it practically mulched itself. Mainly weeds but got the problem solved. Those weeds really liked the clay.

Thanks guys. I'm going to go ahead and fertilize with as light a fertilizer as I can find, and put it down lightly. I paid $$ last year for the alum treatment, to get the clay settled, and I don't want any more washing in there.
Looks like by the time I get back up there Sat, we will have had a inch of rain or so. I'm hoping there was some runoff. I'll see how clear the water is.
Be too muddy to spread fertilizer and seed though.. Have to wait.

You know this but----the better the cover---the less$$$ on alum

Having the same problem with my pond as well.I went with erosion mats all around the inside of my levee (900 feet) and it has paid dividends.Most likely will sod some areas over the top of the matts if the fescue doesn't get going very well

Just a quick follow up. I had to mow yesterday. The wheat is doing very well, it was shading the short fescue, so I set the mower as high as it would go.
Looks great. I'll take a pic next time I'm up there.

Yes let us send some pictures.

Mike,

I found these for sale at Home Depot for $44/each. Is this what you mean?

8 ft. x 112.5 ft. Polypropylene Single Net Straw Erosion Control Blanket

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-8-f...-1125/204268230

Do you just plant the seed then roll these over it?

I figure I will need at least 1500 ft.

Thanks,

Bill

I live in Georgia where clay is a big problem. On all my dam areas and other high erosion areas I plant Lezpadeza. Lezpadeza will litterly almost grow in concrete and will proliferate and in some cases take over an area.

It is illegal in some states to plant Lezpadeza so you need to check with your local laws. In Georgia I use Kobe Lezpedza. Athen Seed company in Georgia will ship to most states I believe.

My typical procedure on new reclaimed forest areas of pine and clay is as follows:
1.) Let weeds come up first year and drop at least 2 tons lime on ground
2.) Plow/Rototill 2nd year
3.) Fertilize/Plant

I know this does not answer the original question but for those of you having problems with Clay look at Lezpadeza.

Not a great pic, but it shows the wheat/fescue growth in the background (where I mowed.)
This was all planted late last summer, after the earth moving was completed.
I was up there all last week dumping lime, fertilizer, and more seed. I also cut some cedars for cover. At the end of the week, we had three days in the upper 70s. It seemed to grow an inch each day. I decided to mow Saturday morning, because I knew I'd be gone for a while. My concern was the fescue would receive no sun, if the wheat got too tall. I am probably way off base.
Right where I'm standing, when I took the picture, is where Rainman's boat trailer was parked, so I did not get it seeded very well. The straw mat is visible in the bare dirt though. I put down five of the mats.

As a side note. I got two other cedar trees out in much deeper water. I used the canoe. This picture shows how far I could go out with my waders. Not very far with a 12' cedar. The water is still very cold. I tried to go out further without the waders. It's really cold. There's a million tadpoles everywhere, and the Fatheads are on the surface swirling around like mad. I don't know if it's a spawning thing, or they are eating something. I haven't thrown any feed in..

Bill D That is the product.

plant the seed--- roll out the mat---you will be surprised how well it protects the bank. The grass will grow faster and better under it.

There are many Lespedeza species; They're legumes. Slender Lespedeza is a very beneficial plant and great for deer, rabbit and quail also...Sericia Lespedeza is banned most everywhere. It was first introduced by state Highway departments as ground cover and for erosion control. Also thought originally to be a good food source for deer, quail and rabbit, but the plant has toxic tannins and is very invasive....seeds can last over 100 years in the soil. Missouri will cost share to eradicate it, but if the ground is ever disked or tilled, some of the old seeds will germinate each time.

The only thing I have to add is make sure to stake the mat down. I stake it about every 2' to 3' along the edges. I've had wind roll up mats that were staked further apart.

Couple of pics that show good grass/wheat growth, and one pic (back of the dam) that shows less than stellar, growth. Meanwhile, our drought continues,, but there is hope storms expected for Saturday. (Naturally, Rainman is bringing in fish Saturday, whew!)

Nice Pictures, looks like it is coming in slowly. Get a pump hooked up and put the water to it from the pond

I've been thinking about that. I'm hoping that the K31 will grow, no matter what. I don't have elec there, so I'd have to get a gas powered pump. Plus, I'm still needing 4' to get the pond full. I don't like seeing the water level drop. It's weird, just me..