How do I grow grass on North Carolinian clay?

Question

I just moved down to NC and I'm a bit confused on how to grow some grass here.The clay is a light redish brown and it is rough when you dig some inches deep into the grown, I'm figuring the average grass seeds won't survive being grown on here. What grass I'm looking for though is something cliche, nice and soft yet thick, practically the average lawn grass. I've looked online and found that I can use 'bermudagrass', but it's something I really don't want. What other seeds can I use? Any procedures need to be done? This is the first time I'm working with a lawn so some tips would be really helpful. I appreciate everyones' support to this question, please no ads.

Alex · Accepted Answer

This is going to be a task and a half.

Get in some sand to cover the clay.

Use a tiller to churn the sand and clay into a loose and crumbly soil. Then bring in some topsoil to spread on top of the sand/clay mix. 

This is what you can plant your seeds on. Once it establishes itself onto the topsoil, it will then spread roots into the sand/clay mixture and bind all of it together.

csroberts · Answer

Yep. Add about 3 inches of sand. Then 4 more inches of topsoil. Now add your grass seed.

Nothing will grow well in clay. Most plants need well-drained soil. Even aquatic plants need to have their roots in sandy soil so water will circulate and not stagnate.

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How do I grow grass on North Carolinian clay?

2 Answers