"Country" Grass improvement

[Kays Supply]

I have had the same problems as you. I tried all the above. When I purchased an areator and use it twice a year along with all the above I started seeing dramatic results. Here the soil is 100% clay. Gypsum added to the list is helping slowly.

 

[MarkV]

I am looking for a cost-effective (less than a few hundred $$$) method of i
mproving the grass.

Tim there has been a lot of good advice given so far. With your goal in mind I think the best advice is to get the soil test done. Our soil here in the SE is known to need lime to balance the PH. Often a great deal of lime for an area that has not been limed regularly. If the PH is way off plants can稚 use the nutrients in the soil and will not do very well. I値l bet the soil test will tell you that you need a lot more lime than you would imagine. If your 3 acres are open enough a local fertilizer company can spread ag lime with a spreader truck at a reasonable price. Palletized lime is much more expensive but can be done easily with a home or tractor spreader.

MarkV

 

[Champy]

Don't underestimate the impact of proper mowing. My lawn was always rough looking until a landscaper friend told me I was cutting it too short. Evidently I was going for the "once a week" approach to mowing, and hurting the grass. It was too short, burning off, and each week after it partially recovered, I was cutting more off than is recommended.

Now I let it grow higher and cut less off but more frequently. The lawn is thicker and fuller (but not great) than before.

 

[Egon]

I'm not sure but it has been mentioned that six inches is an optimum height for many varieties of grass.