How to Plant Grass in Clay Dirt
- 1). Rake the planting area. Clear away debris such as stones and sticks. Pull up any weeds or grasses that are currently growing.
- 2). Loosen up the top 4 to 6 inches of clay dirt with a rototiller. Run it over the area until you're confident the soil is no longer packed down. Loose soil makes it easier for roots to spread.
- 3). Add topsoil to even out the growing area. Low-lying areas can cause water to pool and the clay dirt is moist enough without this added problem. Rake until smooth.
- 4). Add hydrated lime to the clay to boost the pH. Spread 12 ounces of lime per square yard in clay dirt. Use a pH test kit, obtained at a nursery, to determine if the pH is more neutral. This will make the environment better for growing grass.
- 5). Add compost and sand to improve drainage and add air pockets in the clay dirt. The sand will help dry out the clay. Spread 1 inch of each material and work it into the top few inches of the dirt with the rototiller. Rake the area until smooth.
- 6). Apply a starter seed fertilizer with a broadcast spreader. This will balance the nutrients in the clay dirt and help the seed root more quickly.
- 7). Spread the grass seed evenly across the planting area. The package will specify the size of the area that the box will cover. Use a hand spreader if you're working on a small lawn and a mechanical spreader for a large space.
- 8). Water the seed for five to 10 minutes twice a day. Increase the watering to three times daily if you live in a hot climate. Cut down to watering daily after two weeks. The goal is to keep the clay dirt moist. Allowing it to dry out will kill off some seed.
- 9). Mow the new grass when it reaches 3 inches tall. Cut it down to 2 1/2 inches.
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