Cool-Season Grasses for Soil Restoration

Growth and Benefits

• Cool-season grass varieties actively grow during chilly weather. Optimum growth occurs when the temperature hovers above 40 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Abundant growth occurs in the fall and early winter. In areas that do not experience freezing winters, the grass will continue to grow actively. If the region suffers inclement winters, cool-season grass varieties will enter a state of dormancy until spring. These grass varieties can help support livestock and produce an adequate lawn grass.

Grass Seed Choice and Preparation

• Choose a cool-season grass variety to establish, such as orchard grass, timothy, tall fescue, wild ryegrass, fescues, redtop, wood reedgrass, fowl meadowgrass, poverty oatgrass or Kentucky bluegrass. Avoid planting any exotic or invasive grass varieties. Prior to planting the grass seeds, till the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Tillage will successfully break up soil compaction. Work approximately 1 to 3 inches of organic compost into the newly tilled soil to provide the grass seeds with the best chance for survival.

Maintenance

• The grass will require maintenance after seeding and establishment has occurred. Aerate the lawn, using a plug or deep-tine aerator. Regular aeration helps prevent soil compaction and allows oxygen to reaches the grass plant's root system. After aerating, apply a 3/4-inch layer of compost across the lawn's surface. By raising the organic content of the soil, the grass will require less water to thrive. Mow the grass at a height of 3 inches to encourage the plants to develop a deep root system. Use a mulch mower to cut the lawn. A mulch mower disperses the finely cut lawn clippings across the grass's surface. The grass clippings help to add organic content to the soil.

Restoration Process

• Creating a natural grass ecosystem will help to maintain the soil and create porosity. The roots of the grass create porous spaces in the soil. The spaces in the soil help it readily absorb water during irrigation or rainfall. Compacted soils will not absorb water; the water will run off from the soil's surface. Preventing runoff can help reduce pollutants from seeping into waterways. The contaminants sink into the soil's natural filtration system instead of running off the soil's surface. The deep roots of the grass also help to contribute organic matter to the soil. The added organic soil breaks down and helps to support a diverse array of soil microorganisms, which help break down the organic matter further and make the soil nutrient-rich.