Grass Seed for Clay Soil
When dealing with clay soil, it's important to choose grass seed varieties that are well-suited to these conditions. Here are a few grass seed options that tend to perform well in clay soils.
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass
aka Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis): This is a popular choice for cool-season grasses in temperate climates. It has good tolerance to foot traffic and self-repairs and establishes itself well in clay soils. However, it may require more water and maintenance compared to other grasses.
Present in our Classic and Shadygreen Grass Seed mixtures
Fine Fescue (Festuca species)
Fine Fescue is a collective term that includes several species, such as Chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, and hard fescue. Fine Fescue is known for its ability to grow well in poor soils, including clay. It has a fine texture and shade tolerance and requires less water and maintenance compared to Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass.
Present in our Classic, Shadygreen and Easygreen Grass Seed mixtures
Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
A top performer on clay soils, this is a durable and adaptable grass that can thrive in clay soils. It establishes quickly, has good wear tolerance, and performs well in moderate temperatures. However, it may not tolerate extreme heat or drought conditions, as well as other grasses.
Present in our Classic, Shadygreen, Staygreen and Easygreen Grass Seed mixtures
Tall Fescue (Festuca species)
Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass that has excellent tolerance to heavy clay soils. It has deep roots, which help it withstand drought conditions, and it has good wear tolerance. Tall Fescue is known for its adaptability and ability to grow in a wide range of soil types.
Present in our Staygreen Grass Seed mixture
How to Choose the Right Seed
When selecting a grass seed mixture you are going to have to choose based on many other factors such as the amount of sunlight your lawn receives, the amount of foot traffic it will endure, and any specific climate conditions in your area. This complicates things as no one grass seed mixture will meet all your requirements. Therefore aim for the most demanding or most important feature and start with that. You can always make adjustments as the lawn matures and we will be happy to advise as needed.