Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Getting grass to grow in poor clay soil

When I dug the main pond I put the topsoil aside they way you're supposed to do. I dressed the banks with it after construction, but then decided to dig the pond 2' deeper a couple weeks after that. So now the topsoil is covered with a thin layer of red clay soil from where the pond was dug out deeper.

I've sowed seed out there several times, but am not having grass come up near as fast or thick as I would like. A good bit of silt is being dumped into the pond because of the lack of thick grass. I've already sowed a mix of annual & perennial rye, a couple types of fescue, and bluegrass. Part of the problem is that we have had some really hard rains in the last few weeks and the rain has washed the seed into clumps. So I have little sprigs of grass all over the place, and then a number of very thick clumps where the seed was washed into one spot. This afternoon I'm going to sow some creeping red fescue out there and see how it does.

It would be way too expensive to do landscaping fabric all around the pond, but what are some other things that can be done to get this grass growing better? I'm not sure what type of fertilizer to use or how much to apply, nor which types of grass I should seed more of. I've been told to sow more of a rye mixture.

Thanks,
Eric

Eric,
I have always tilled gypsum pellets into clay soil to loosen it up for improved grass growth. Past that, and other than the standard fertilizer thing, I like the burlap idea that Cecil mentions on one of your own threads: Grass thread

Mulch of some kind, such as Cecil's burlap or hay/straw, should help speed grass growth and slow silt washing back in.

Hydroseeding: you can rent the equipment for less than $200 per day plus fibermulch starter fertilizer and seed. You can spray the slurry on a rock and it will grow.

Theo Gallus is correct. MULCH...I used fescue hay in square bales to seed a runoff area above my pond. The square bales pull apart in sheaves and are easily spread. The bales contained seed, but I broadcasted more before mulching to insure a decent stand.

Creeping red fescue or Hard fescue or a blend are excellent for slopes and are hardy. The work well when blended with annual ryegrass which will germinate quickly helping to stabilize things. I will further stress mulching as it may be the most important. Use a lot. ODOT recommends 2 tons per acre this time of year.

We once mulched slopes and didn't mulch flats - two months later the mulched areas had 5x to 10x more grass than the unmulched.

Lime will raise the PH level of clay or other poor soils.

Along with the burlap I have found I cannot get the grass to grow very well in my clay soil without water -- lots of it -- and repeatedly if it's not raining. That means after I first plant I am constantly rotating the sprinkler.

Additionally for some reason if the grass seed is not under the burlap it doesn't start. Not sure why, but it may be the burlap is keeping it moist and the burlap gets warm from the sun. It could be the burlap also keeps the birds from eating the seed.

I have used straw in the past with good results as long as I keep it wet. If it dries out the wind blows it around.

Thanks for all the advice. I sowed a bunch of creeping red fescue out there Monday night. Talked to a guy at work who owns a farm and he recommended lime and straw.

It's been raining alot the last few days and muddy, but I'll probably spread some lime and straw or hay as soon as I can.

I had areas that I could not get the grass to grow because of birds and washes. I bought a cheap aerator at home depot to break the top surface then I seeded and fertilized, then I used a piece of fence to drag the surface and all most all the areas started growing. My neighbor said aeration is not used in this area but anything to cover the seed , hold the moisture so growth can start. Maybe this will be helpful?