Grass seed for clay - Ask Extension
Hello, I have a pond that we had dug out last Fall because it was shallow and the material that was dug out of the pond , was piled or spread around t...
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Grass seed for clay #791721
Asked May 19, 2022, 5:47 PM EDT
Hello, I have a pond that we had dug out last Fall because it was shallow and the material that was dug out of the pond , was piled or spread around the pond to build up the banks because it was low. On the West side of the pond, it seems that it is mostly clay and we are now spreading out the piles and it seems that a majority is also clay, along with some peat and sand. I have a couple of questions regarding this soil. First, we want to put grass seed down and from what I can gather reading online, it looks like Ryegrass is best for growing roots as well as helping to break up the clay? Second, again reading online, should I put some lime down to enrich the soil or something else and/or should I put fertilizer down after seed and what mixture would you recommend? The local coop has seed by JRK in Eagan has 40% annual ryegrass and 30% perennial ryegrass, with the rest in red fescue and other. Would this be good to use or ? As far as use around the pond, we will have a trail for walking or riding that will get occasional use.Lastly, I have been using my tractor with a 6' tine to drag around and break up the soil.
Thank you for your response.
Larry
Wright County Minnesota
Expert Response
The first thing is to get the soil in shape. I suggest that you have a soil test done before you add anything to the existing soil.
Lawn & Garden | Soil Testing Laboratory (umn.edu)
The current turn around is two weeks.
I see piles of what looks to peat. I would spread that around and work it in, because it will help break up the clay.
The grasses in the mixture you cite will work for a clay soil. You might look for a mixture that is heavier percentage of red fescue and less on the annual rye. Because of the slope you will have to use blankets to hold the seed, but I suspect you know that.
From the blankets, it looks like you have done some seeding of turf.
You might consider using clumps native grasses to give some visual interest on the far bank. The deep roots of these grasses do well holding soil in place.
Are you planning anything along the shore of the pond? If you are going to have turf clear to edge, maintenance of the turf is going to be difficult when the pond is high and you may lose that turf. I suggest you put in a shoreline planting to add a natural look to the pond. There are grants available from the Soil and Water Conservation Districts for shoreline restorations.
Lawn & Garden | Soil Testing Laboratory (umn.edu)
The current turn around is two weeks.
I see piles of what looks to peat. I would spread that around and work it in, because it will help break up the clay.
The grasses in the mixture you cite will work for a clay soil. You might look for a mixture that is heavier percentage of red fescue and less on the annual rye. Because of the slope you will have to use blankets to hold the seed, but I suspect you know that.
From the blankets, it looks like you have done some seeding of turf.
You might consider using clumps native grasses to give some visual interest on the far bank. The deep roots of these grasses do well holding soil in place.
Are you planning anything along the shore of the pond? If you are going to have turf clear to edge, maintenance of the turf is going to be difficult when the pond is high and you may lose that turf. I suggest you put in a shoreline planting to add a natural look to the pond. There are grants available from the Soil and Water Conservation Districts for shoreline restorations.
