Billy wrote:
In article ,
Nad R wrote:

"David Hare-Scott" wrote:
Nad R wrote:

I mentioned it would be hard during dry spells. However it will still
look just as nice as any other lawn.

I think this depends on what you mean by "growing grass in clay". I have
direct comparisons here between growing grass in clay-based silt, in
plastic clay and a mixture of the two. It is really obvious that (here
at least) grass does not do well in plastic clay and many weeds
infiltrate, it does very well in silt and in a mixture it is intermediate.

This comparison does give some hope though as the mixture can be
converted to useful soil by growing grass on it and mulching in the
cuttings. My understanding is that breaking up the solid clay allows
water, air and roots to penetrate which gives the grass a start and from
then on the roots going into the lumps combined with the mulched grass
mixed in gradually breaks up the lumps. It takes years to change though.

The OP describes the yard as "solid clay" so with that and the drainage
problems I suspect there is going to be much work and/or time to making a
decent lawn that will cushion child's play. I suggest a small play area
covered with bark to make do until the the rest is ready or the child
grows up, whichever comes first.

David

Grass does grow in clay. When it rains the clay turns very mushy (technical
gardening term) and stays mushy for a long time which helps in germination.
When first putting down the grass seed it does need to put down heavy
because of the weeds. But first I scratch the ground or scape it then
lightly water it to prevent the grass seed from washing away on a dry
surface. When the clay is wet it become muck (another technical term) and
hard to to spread when your ankle deep in muck.

I estimate nighty percent of my yard is heavy clay. Over time the ground
has softened and the large dry cracks are gone. In the beginning the were
no worms in the ground and the field meadows had no root structure below an
inch. Now I have lots and lots of worms in my lawn. The birds have a feast
after a rain.

I aerate the lawn and mulch the clippings during the summer. I bag the
clippings in the spring and fall to prevent weeds from spreading. Right now
my yard is soaking wet, It has rained almost every other day. My grass is
getting very tall and has nice dark green color. But too wet to mow now.

http://nadrhel.com/Summer.html

The grassy area in my yard is all clay. I think the grass looks ok from my
web site.
There is one photo that shows the grass on the brown side which was taken
in the middle of summer. Even the meadows next to my lawn is composed
mostly of clay.

Don't forget your ol' friends, rye, and buckwheat.

The friends are in the meadow, however ever their roots do not go very deep
in the clay and grow well. I would much rather have clay than sand. When I
leave this planet, in a space ship I hope, the soil will be in much better
shape where I lived.

--
Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)