What Grass Grows Well in Clay & On a Hillside?

Clay Soils

• Clay soils are made of tiny particles that fit snugly together. The lack of space between the particles inhibits the flow of water, creating a wet, heavy, dense planting medium that can be difficult for roots to push through. Shallow-rooted turf grasses, such as Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, do well when planted in clay soils as they are not affected by the naturally high water content.

Hillsides

• Steep slopes and hillsides can be difficult to work with. Rain and irrigation waters run off these surfaces rather than percolating slowly though the soil; this can lead to erosion and drainage problems. Keeping seeds in place long enough to germinate can be challenging, if not impossible. In addition, the steeper the slope, the more difficult the area is to mow.

  For these reasons, turf-type tall fescue is an excellent choice for steep slopes. When seeded in the fall, it will readily take root the following spring. However, as the weather warms, the blade growth naturally slows; consequently, cultivators such as "Spartan" and "Bonsai" grow so slowly during the summer they only need to be mowed once a month.

Seed Selection

• When selecting seeds, homeowners must consider a number of factors, including the regional climate, soil texture, soil structure, pH, amount of sun and slope of the lawn to choose the best-adapted grass for the local conditions. Those who are attempting to seed lawns that are both steeply sloped and covered with compact, clay soils will have the best luck with a blend or mixture of grass seeds.

  Homeowners in the North should look for seed blends that feature a mixture of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, as these grasses do well in cool climates. In the South, mixtures containing heat-tolerant zoysia grass and Bermuda grass can be overseeded with ryegrass in the winter to create a year-round carpet of lush, green grass.

Labels

• Check the labels closely before purchasing any grass seed or seed blend. High-quality seed should show the names of the cultivators used to create the blend, a germination rate of greater than 85 percent, less than 0.5 percent weed seeds, less than 1 percent inert matter and the ideal growing conditions.