How to Amend Clay Soil for a Lawn

Clay soil has tiny particles and very small pores, which makes it more prone to becoming waterlogged. When the soil dries, the particles stick together, resulting in crusty, compacted conditions. Since plant roots require oxygen in order to grow and develop, some gardeners have a hard time establishing a lawn or garden in clay conditions, and clay soils often get a bad rap because of these undesirable qualities. Clay soil can be a good environment for grass, however, as long as it is properly prepared.

Rotary tiller or spading fork
Shovels
Compost, manure, peat moss or other organic matter

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a soil analysis from your local university extension. A soil test will give you accurate information about your soil's composition and texture, as well as pH and nutrient levels.
- 2
  Till the soil with a rotary tiller. This will open up the soil and allow you to better incorporate your soil amendments. Avoid tilling clay soils when they are wet.
- 3
  Incorporate organic matter, such as peat, compost or manure, into the soil. Organic matter increases the amount of space between soil particles, which will make your soil more porous and less likely to compact. Spread 1 to 3 inches of the organic matter over the soil and then incorporate it at least 6 inches into the soil. This ensures that it is available to the root zone of your grass. For an entire lawn, it is probably most effective and convenient to use a rototiller to incorporate organic matter, although hand incorporation may result in less damage to soil structure. If you do incorporate by hand, use a spading fork to mix the soil thoroughly without damaging it with excessive shoveling.

How to Raise the pH in Grass

How to Calculate Spacing in Agriculture

Lawn Planting