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California Gardening

Help solve my sticky soil problem?

12 years ago

We've just moved into a temporary rental with our three medium to large dogs. We're blessed with a big backyard, but the yard is completely unplanted, and the soil here is claylike and very sticky. Every time the dogs come in, there's a layer of this muddy clay (it's raining these days) stuck to their feet which proceeds to come off on the kitchen floor. I noticed the same sticky mud problem with my shoes when I walked in the yard even in dry weather, before our rental began. Why did we rent it, then? In this area, when you have dogs, you jump on any available rental.

Keeping the dogs outside is not an option, but the constant mopping is already getting to me and is not even keeping on top of the problem. Is there any fast-growing grass or ground cover I could plant that might alleviate this problem? It's November and we only expect to be here through March, so it would have to be something that grows in the winter, and fast enough to offer some benefit. Our Zone 9 winters have little to no freeze and the backyard gets a lot of sun. We could go buy rolls of grass if they are available at this time of year, but I imagine that would be very expensive. The yard is probably 6000 square feet.

I feel so fortunate to have this rental, but dealing with the sticky mud is a serious challenge!

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Comments (7)

jacqueline9CA
12 years ago
Sounds to me like your "soil" is solid clay - many new home developments have that, because they strip whatever top soil there may have been, and what is left is clay - pure enough to make pots out of! Our native soil here in the SF Bay area is like that in many places. Luckily for me, my yard has been gardened for 106 years, so we have a good layer of soil - maybe 18 inches. However, if you dig in obscure corners, like right next to the foundation - clay, pure and simple. What is getting on your dogs feet would be called "slip" in a potter's workshop!

I'm not aware of a ground cover that would instantly grow in the winter in solid clay, especially without a lot of work & soil amendments. If it were me, I would probably figure out how to restrict the area the dogs can get into, and then put down some gravel - that is instant. Good luck -

Jackie
dicot
12 years ago
It's just a rental? Throw down pine needles, bark and leaves and whatever other cheap organic matter you can get -- except manures. O.M. will improve the clay soils and keep some of the mud off the dogs. Most of it is free and if the owner ever wants it gone, it's easy enough to rake up. Go deep with the mulch, 6" or so if you can, the first inch or two of the mulch is likely to just suck down into the mud right away.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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Yes a big load of chunky mulch if you can get it. If it's too finely shredded it is going to stick to the dogs and come with them into the house.

Mulch will also keep the weeds down, which start to sprout as soon as the rains arrive.
socal23
12 years ago
Another vote here for mulch. Call around to a few tree trimmers and you'll probably find someone willing to dump a load at your house for free. Don't bite if someone wants you to pay for it, most companies have to pay to dump it at a landfill.

Ryan
bahia
12 years ago
Free mulch from an arborist is probably your best bet, but you might also consider seeding the area with annual rye grass for a quick cover.
Lynn12358
12 years ago
Yes, call around to your local tree trimmers and ask to be on their 'chip list'. Be prepared with a wheelbarrow and shovel and mask to move it off your driveway into the back yard. One of my local tree trimmers even has a portion of his website dedicated to the 'green' sensibilities of a chip list. Good luck.
hosenemesis
12 years ago
Mulch. The dogs will kill any grass you try to grow. A huge piece of astroturf or used carpeting in front of the door helps get some of the mud off.

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