Can Grass Grow in Soil With Gravel?

Benefits and Drawbacks

• Gravel soils drain quickly, so roots don't become waterlogged, but the soils are usually lacking in nutrients. They dry out quickly, requiring more frequent watering, and the gravel may discourage deep root formation. Grass may grow, but it will require frequent watering and fertilizing, and may be more prone to disease and insect problems.

Solutions

• If the soil is excessively gravelly, consider removing it and replacing it. This is an expensive, laborious process, though, and many soils can be renovated through the addition of organic matter. Till 2 inches of compost, manure, peat moss or a combination of materials into the soil before planting grass seed. Till the amendments in thoroughly to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. The organic matter increases nutrients in the soil and also improves the soil texture.

Considerations

• Manure and compost make excellent soil amendments, but they may introduce weed seeds into the soil. Water the soil thoroughly after preparation and allow one to two weeks for weed seeds to germinate. Spray them with a non-selective herbicide and wait one more week before planting grass seeds. Rake the seed bed thoroughly to remove any dirt clods and create a fine surface for the grass.

Ongoing Care

• Once you've improved or replaced the gravelly soil and planted the grass seed, you're well on your way to a healthy lawn. Continue to improve the soil through yearly aeration, a process that removes small plugs of soil from the lawn, reducing compaction and increasing oxygen flow. Topdress the soil yearly with 1/4 inch of compost. The compost works down into the soil, adding nutrients and improving soil texture. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. These clippings break down into a valuable, nitrogen-dense soil amendment. Aerate and topdress lawns in the fall or spring for best results.