There is a reason your grass gets patchy in the summer, or why you are left with water on the lawn after a good hard rain. You will also find the ground is as hard as rock when you put a spade to it.
For those of us in Lawrence Township who have been at odds with these things, the explanation is usually beneath you. The clay soil here in New Jersey is what puts local lawns in a bind. We at Princeton Turf Care have 25 years of experience putting homeowners in a position to rectify such problems. Read on for an account of how clay soil affects a yard and then call (702)-996-4345 to speak with us.
The Difficulty of Clay Soil
It is all in the fine particles of the clay and how closely they are packed. That density is what retains the water and nutrients, which in theory is fine. In reality it gives rise to a host of issues that stand in the way of a proper lawn.
You can do something about it once you have an idea of what you are up against. Yet we see too many homeowners put hundreds of dollars into seed and fertilizer over the course of years and never get around to the soil itself.
Standing Water and Drainage Issues
Water that lingers on top of the surface is the tell-tale sign of clay. It does not want to soak in because the particles are so tightly bound. Your roots end up drowning in the pooling water and you are left with soggy areas of the lawn.
From there you will encounter:
- Root rot in the grass and other plants
- Muddy patches that are the death of the lawn
- Mosquitoes in the wet spots
- Erosion from the run-off
- Fungus and disease making their way across the yard
Compaction of the Soil
In places where there is a lot of foot traffic from people or children, clay will compact. What you are left with is soil so dense nothing can get through to the roots, be it air or nourishment. Grass is not going to put down deep roots in hard, packed earth.
Consequently the grass is thin and weak, turning brown at the first dry spell since its roots are too shallow for any moisture. Aeration is a surefire way to put right this problem and one we put our local customers to use of.
When Nutrients are Locked Out
Clay has a way of being frustrating. It is full of nutrients but in a form the grass cannot make use of. One can fertilize to no avail and still have a lawn that looks pale and undernourished. Then there is the pH of New Jersey clay which has a tendency to drift and compound matters. There is no point in wasting product on guesswork; a test of the soil is the only way to be certain.
Summer Hardening and Cracking
Clay is all or nothing. Mud in the rain, concrete in the sun with its attendant cracks. These can rip at the roots of your grass and hasten the loss of moisture.
Try to water a lawn like that and you will not get far, the water will just run off the hard surface. This is what makes a clay lawn look uneven from one year to the next.
Putting Clay Soil in Order
Having clay is no life sentence for a poor quality lawn. With the right kind of care you can make heavy clay a workable foundation. We recommend the following:
- Open up the compacted ground with core aeration
- Put in some compost or other organic matter
- Topdress to improve the soil gradually
- Make sure the grass variety is right for New Jersey
- Do a soil test and adjust the pH accordingly
- Let the water penetrate for strong roots rather than watering lightly
Patience is required. But given a couple of seasons you will see a marked change in your soil.
Expert Help is Available
Dealing with clay demands the proper timing and know-how. As a licensed and insured company we have the credentials and a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee to show for it. Homeowners in Lawrence Township have given us 4.9 stars in more than 40 Google reviews. If pooling and run-off are wearing on your yard, our grading and resloping service can help direct water away for good. We will give you a free estimate so there are no surprises.
Our hours are 7:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Stop making guesses about your lawn and let us put together a healthier yard for you. Contact Princeton Turf Care at (702)-996-4345.
