How to use vermiculite or perlite with existing lawn?

Question

I just bought a house with a half dead lawn that requires lots of water. The soil here has lots of clay in it and as a result, doesn't hold water well and needs excessive watering to keep a lawn green. My neighbor lives on a hill and reseeded his whole yard only to have his back yard (uphill) die on him because all the water ran down hill. Question is, how would I use vermiculite, perlite, or anything else to help my lawn retain water? I have used Scott's turf builder in an attempt to spread the roots of the grass and my lawn looks 100% better, but it still needs lots of water :(

Answer 1

Sounds like clay soil, and we have it too. All it takes is water. You need to water about 30 to 40 minutes once per week. It might look like a lake at first, but it will soak in. Once it soaks in, it will be wet underneath where you cannot see. You can poke your fingers down into the soil a couple of inches and you will be surprised to find that it is wet.



Forget about the vermiculite or perlite; those are for containers/pots. You need do nothing else except water, water, water. And always on the same day each week. Mow once per week too. If at all possible, water after you mow.



Fertilize in spring, and in the fall.



It will take awhile, but you will have a pretty lawn in a month or so.

Answer 2

Scots turf builder is an excellent product. I never heard of putting either one of those on a lawn. They are usually used in potting mix.

You might try spreading some pete moss. Don't put so much that you smother the grass though.

Answer 3

Vermiculite and pearlite are usually mixed with potting soil. You'd have to buy a truckload to use either of them to ammend your yard.

Answer 4

How To Use Vermiculite