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Improving soil in existing lawn

16 years ago

I have a centipede lawn about 7 years old. It was already installed when I bought my house, and I think they just laid it without any soil prep. I have alot of heavy clay, so there are areas that stay really wet and others that get too dry. What is the best way to improve the soil with an existing lawn.

In another post I explained that I'd also like to eventually replace the Centipede with St Aug. I spread a thin layer of composted manure over the worst areas and laid some new St. Aug (I believe Palmetto) sod. It is already looking good. My hope is the St. Aug will eventually take over the Centipede.

Should I put a thin layer of more manure over the poor areas? Can I lay the St. Aug sod right over the top of the Centipede? Should I mix some sand in with the manure?

Lastly, my side yard is low and is soggy for days after every rain. I guess I could just put down a layer of soil then cover with new sod to raise the level so it drains better.

Any suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (2)

dchall_san_antonio
16 years ago
Just out of curiosity, where in LA do you live that you have heavy clay?

I think you are talking about one product and calling it by two different names. Composted manure is compost, but you are calling it manure. Compost and manure are very different due to the work of thousands of species of microbes that perform the miraculous conversion. Just so long as you are using finished compost (the stuff that smells incredibly good), then you will be okay. Compost is what you need to start out in your soggy area. Although, if you have a few bucks to spare, you might want to have a real landscaper look at it to see if your drainage is right.

Then if you really want to improve your soil, look in an organic program. The easiest read on the topic is the FAQ for Organic Lawn care over on the Organic Gardening forum. Chemicals cannot improve your soil. Only the soil microbes can do that.
jockewing
Original Author
16 years ago
dchall,

I live in Slidell, which is just 15 miles north of New Orleans on the other side of Lake Ponchartrain. The Lake prevents us from being in the Mississippi flood plain, so our soils here are ancient, and haven't been improved by centuries of alluvial river deposits. Actually, my yard isn't as bad as others I've seen in the area, but if you dig a few inches down, there is nasty gray slimy clay that is so slippery when wet and hard as a rock when dry.

When I say composted manure, I am talking about horse manure (mixed with wood bedding) I get for a great price from a stable near my house. I believe it is pretty old, as it is very dark and rich and fluffy and smells like the forest. I was somewhat worried about the wood in it being too "young", but it gives the manure a great texture, almost like extremely finely ground bark, that the manure can almost be used like a mulch. I have put a thick layer on all my beds and mixed generous amounts in my new beds and all my plants seem to be loving it. I have noticed gigantic earthworms everywhere.

So know that I've clarified myself, do you have any suggestions for improving the lawn?
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