Very Sandy Soil

[lzicc]

I'm clearing out some of the woods on my property. Once I clear out all the trees and weeds, I want to plant grass. The dirt is extremely sandy. I thought about renting a wood chipper and chip up all the branches and mix it in the sandy soil to give it some substance and let it ferment over the winter, but it may take a few years to compost. I called around for mushroom compost, but it is expensive along with topsoil. Any thoughts on this?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Throw out some winter rye to hold the soil and plant next spring.

Brett

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I'm having a hard time believing that in PA you have sandy soil unless you are in a creek bottom and even then I'd bet that it was a dry loam. I'd suggest a <$10 soil test to find out what amendments that you need before you spend money on suggestions from the internet. Go to the local soil conversation office and get the kit. The results should come back in 2 weeks + or-.

 

[lzicc]

I know. i would have thought I would have had good soil being wooded like it is, but it is very sandy.

 

[CalG]

I'm clearing out some of the woods on my property. Once I clear out all the trees and weeds, I want to plant grass. The dirt is extremely sandy. I thought about renting a wood chipper and chip up all the branches and mix it in the sandy soil to give it some substance and let it ferment over the winter, but it may take a few years to compost. I called around for mushroom compost, but it is expensive along with topsoil. Any thoughts on this?

View attachment 522895

Looks like some nice lawns across the roadway. Ask your neighbor what it takes.

 

[lzicc]

I like the winter rye idea. That would give it some substance and prepare the soil of what I have been reading online about it.

 

[jeff9366]

Cheap seed for creating 'green manure' is deer food plot seed from Walmart. In Florida $22 for 50 pounds. I turn under the mature plants with a Disc Harrow with 20" diameter pans.

If you want to plant now in Pennsylvania, you will need Fall/Winter food plot blend.

 

[Streetcar]

Fall is the best time to plant in pa. Decaying wood will draw nitrogen from the soil.
Plant fescue now

 

[orezok]

Raw wood chips will steal all the nitrogen from the soil. Not a good idea if you plan to plant it.

 

[kthompson]

If you are looking for grass look at bermudas, some varieties do well in sandy soils. Look at Coastal Bermuda only issue is you sprig it, right sure coastal bermuda is grown in PA for hay in some areas of the state.

 

[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