Very Sandy Soil

[Streetcar]

I have a field with Bermuda as a weed. In southern Ohio, I can get heavy winter damage. Fescue holds up to the winter weather

 

[lzicc]

I would like to enrich the dirt first. It is very sandy. I may have to get a topsoil/mushroom mulch mix from the local landscaping place. They want about $600 for a triaxle load. I can mix that in with the current sandy dirt to give it some substance. I just hate spending that on dirt. I may also need 2 tri axles. I was hoping the wood chips would give it some structure, but it would take so long to mulch on it's own.

 

[Ford850]

I like the wood chips idea, along with a cover crop now. I used to use rye for my gardens, but it is a bear to deal with in the spring sings its growing fast. All the good it does (heavy roots, heavy top growth) also creates a difficult scenario if you want to work the area in the spring. I've settled on oats the past few years as a compromise. Planted now, it grows low and thick into early winter, then is killed off by the hard freeze. Come spring, it is mostly composted into the soil already. So, my vote is woodchips plus either rye or oats, depending on your intentions in the spring.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I would like to enrich the dirt first. It is very sandy. I may have to get a topsoil/mushroom mulch mix from the local landscaping place. They want about $600 for a triaxle load. I can mix that in with the current sandy dirt to give it some substance. I just hate spending that on dirt. I may also need 2 tri axles. I was hoping the wood chips would give it some structure, but it would take so long to mulch on it's own.

Get that rye going and keep it mowed. It will breakdown some too. As mentioned, get a soil test. Might be better than you think.

Brett

 

[lzicc]

I think the soil is ok for growing grass, there was some grass growing there before I turned everything under, not allot, but some, but the ground is too soft and airy. It drains too fast which dries out the dirt thus the grass doesn't grow all that well. I just want to firm it up some so it will retain moisture and also add some nutrients. Make it more dense. I thinking if I do something with it now, when spring comes or even next fall, the ground will be more mature for a lawn.

 

[Streetcar]

Please enlighten me, if the op is concerned about being able to grow grass, how are rye or oats going to grow . THey are similar plants to grass

 

[ch1ch2]

I used round hay bails to cover, decay, and add nitrogen and seed.
Works well for me. Now growing grass where it would not grow.
Just unroll in the area you need it.

 

[lzicc]

You use hay or straw? Doesn't hay have weed seeds in it? I did think about getting hay/straw and over it with the mower to chip it up.

 

[Streetcar]

What do you want the area to look like after, you are done.
Lawn or pasture

 

[lzicc]

Lawn.

What do you want the area to look like after, you are done.
Lawn or pasture