Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
mikerizzle9

What next?

mikerizzle9
11 years ago

I have an approx 1000sf bermuda lawn in a 30yr old home I purchased few years ago. Previous owner didn't do much anywhere on the property for soil improvement so underneath the grass is pretty much alkaline clay. I've been slowly converting my whole yard to organic methods.

This last week I spike aerated the whole area, spread some gypsum to soften it up before the rains came and just spread out 10cf of composted steer manure. The lawn should be greening up in about a month but what else should I do to "add organic matter to the soil."? I just spent hours aerating so I wanna get the goods down in there before the holes are closed up.

Next on my list is to get a 25lb bag of alfalfa pellets this week. I don't have enough compost to cover the area. Is there anything else cost effective? Is spraying some hydrolyzed fish effective for improving the soil itself? I can get a big 20lb bag of worm castings for like $12. What about pelleted pasteurized chicken poop?

Comments (4)

  • Kimmsr
    11 years ago

    What to add depends on what the soil needs. How much organic matter is in that soil now? Perhaps these simple soil tests will be of some help,
    1) Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

    2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drainsâ too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

    3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart.

    4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell.

    5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.

  • mikerizzle9
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Here's my soil, like I said, clay. I'm going to begin overseeding during the winter so maybe I will go ahead rototill some good compost and manure come fall. What should I do for fertilizing this summer?

  • Kimmsr
    11 years ago

    I don't see any organic matter in that test sample and that says grass will have a hard time growing for many reasons, lack of available nutrients, lack of moisture, etc.
    Which, if any, fertilizer to use depends on what your soil needs.

  • dchall_san_antonio
    11 years ago

    That test looks like 99% sand and 1% silt with 0.000% clay. If you had any clay at all you would not be able to see through the water at the top.

    Although this might surprise you, this is extremely common finding from the jar test. Most people do not have clay. If you send a sample to Logan Labs in Ohio they will tell you how much magnesium you have. Too much Mag can give even pure sand the effect of clay. But if you treated your sand as if it were clay, you could mess things up further. For example you might use gypsum instead of calcium when you have too low a pH. Oh wait! You already added alkaline gypsum to your alkaline soil...which may already have too much magnesium in it.

    Other bermuda lawns in Phoenix are already greening up. I'm not suggesting you are behind, but it could happen any day now. Go to the Organic Gardening forum, find the FAQs, scroll to the bottom of the list, and read the Organic Lawn Care FAQ. That will give you some ideas about how modern organic lawn care is being done. Then come back and ask questions.

    The hydrolyzed fish is a waste of money. You would need about a gallon per 1,000 square feet to get any serious benefit. Worm castings are just expensive compost. Another waste of money. There are a lot of products in the organic arsenal. Only a few have any value.

Sponsored
HEMAX Construction Services & Landscaping, LLC
Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars34 Reviews
Innovative & Creative Landscape Contractors Servicing VA