Grass Seeds That Grow Good in Clay

Tall Fescue

• Tall fescue is found in the Pacific northwest as well as in the southern United States. It is a grass with a high drought tolerance and it does well in a clay soil that is high in organic matter. Despite its drought tolerance, it does well in moister areas. There are about 100 species of plants that are included under the label of tall fescue, and they are all deep-rooted plants that withstand a wide variety of conditions. It produces large, broad green leaves that have glossy undersides and have slightly serrated edges.

Ryegrass

• Ryegrass, which is also known as annual rye grass, produces shiny smooth leaves in dark green. It tolerates wet soils that are poorly drained, making it an ideal candidate for clay soils, or damper areas of the lawn. It is typically used for forage as it has a later maturity date than rye and it can be used to extend a pastures growth. It does reseed well and, if left unchecked, can become a nuisance plant.

Bermudagrass

• Bermudagrass encompasses a wide variety of grasses from the same species. It is a short, even grass that is typically used for sports fields, golf courses, parks and public landscaping as well as on lawns. It is a grass that has high fertility requirements but, so long as the fertility requirements are met, it will do well in heavy clay soils. It is tolerant to saline, and though it thrives on well-drained sites, it tolerates some flooding.

Kentucky Bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass originally came from Europe, and it is used for both pastures and for lawns. While it does well in a variety of soils, it does best in loamy clay soils. If the clay in your soil is very high, aerate it by running a rototiller over the property before planting Kentucky bluegrass. While Kentucky bluegrass does grow in slightly alkaline soil, it does not thrive when confronted with saline soils or acidic soils.