The Grass Doctor

How do I treat my backyard?

I have a very clay like and dry backyard. I live in the north east US. We have used pellet lime 2 weeks ago, Scott's green color all season fertilizer 1 week ago, and have seeded Kentucky blue grass with a little bit of raking and limited straw. Is there anything else I can do to save my backyard which is now dried up and clay? Dogs are making paths through the yard and I also cut it too low in the past years. Help!?

Public Comments

1. Is there anyway you can work some good top soil and/or compost into the soil? That might help. In any case if your yard is is just rock solid clay you'll have a hard time getting anything to germinate without somehow cultivating the soil. If light tilling isn't an option due to time or expense, you could aerate it a few times and then seed, apply a starter fertilizer, and water as necessary.
2. Kentucky blue grass won't work where you are along with dogs and clay soil. You need a Deep Rooted Grass. http://www.ehow.com/facts_4896829_types-deep-root-grass.html And never mow your lawn low, raise the blade as high as it'll go.
3. First, get a soil test which you can get at your local Extension Office. That will tell you what your soil need in the way of nutrients. Rent a tiller and till in the amendments that are recommended plus lots of compost. Compost is the best soil amendment there is. It loosens compacted soil and adds bulk to sandy soil. You can make your own compost pile. It uses up garden and kitchen scraps so you are recycling and adding less stuff to the landfill. Google compost pile and this will tell you how to go about starting your own compost pile. Then seed the lawn in the fall.
4. you need some rich top soil trucked in
5. have an informational web-site on lawn care, landscaping and everything else in between that I think might be helpful with your question. It is www.yardsurfer.com