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Questions about lawn and whatnot
I have so many questions I don't know where to begin...
I live in Mid/South GA, on the Alabama line. Mostly clay soil. I have a small yard, about 2000 sq feet. Most of the property is woods. The soil seems to be mostly clay. I'm going to get it tested next week. You give them soil and tell them what you want to grow here. Supposedly, from talking to the local extension service, it's acidic also. The soil doesn't really drain well. Back when I tried to water what was left of the grass, it the water would just pool on top of the ground. It's very slow to soak in. So that's one issue. I might have to add something to break up the clay. I'm not sure what clay is even made of. I was thinking of using roundup, rototilling, adding manure, lime, waiting a few weeks and then trying to plant seed. The extension guy said the purchased topsoil here is poor quality, so I should skip it. Then on here, I read that rototilling the soil isn't good for it, kills worms, etc. So I am confused. Also if I want to "improve drainage" adding compost and sand to a rototilled yard sounds good...but wait...under the 6 inches of topsoil what is there? I would guess it would be more clay. So how much could it improve the drainage? I guess it would improve it in the top 6 inches or so. But beneath that it would still be the same old clay. Some grasses prefer clay, is that so? I'm thinking of planting fescue, but I'm on the edge of the zone (I think my zone is 8/9, hard to get a good zone map). Most people have Bermuda here, but my lot is too shady, so mine is not doing well. I may plant some zoysia...it's beautiful and spreads so that's good. Some parts of my lawn are 50% sun/shade. Zoysia is supposed to be OK in part shade down here. One thing that confuses me is that people cut zoysia at 1" or so. I think that's crazy. Is there a reason for that? I'm from up north where lawns are 3" or so. You know, a nice luxurious lawn. Not a 1 inch mat. I would plan to my grass much longer if it can survive on my yard at all. Would that be a problem? With my small lot size, you would think i would have free reign to easily do just about anything. I guess I could rototill (If that's what's required)...but then I'd have to dump the excess clay somewhere, otherwise my yard would be a good inch or two higher. Adding compost shouldn't be hard. AS a matter of fact, the leaves I pull out of my gutter are decayed into a rich black dirt. So that is one idea...I could just dump leaves on them or mix them into the clay somehow. Would this work? In the front yard I have a steep shaded slope. I want to add some pachysandras. I figure to dig a hole and ummmm....I don't know add some polysandra and some soil and water. Should that be about it? Will that do? Hopefully the polysandras will spread like mad. Is this possible? Thanks for any info/advice. |
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