Hey folks! I'm trying to plant some new grass seed but I've got this really tough clay soil that's all clumped together and hard to work with. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for breaking up this clay so I can level the area properly before seeding and adding topsoil?
3 Answers
Have you thought about using a rotary hand cultivator? They’re pretty handy for breaking up tough soil. You can find one on eBay or similar sites. Just watch out, because they can get clogged up with the clay pretty easily!
Using a garden fork or some kind of tiller can help break up the soil. Mixing in some sandy soil with the clay can also be beneficial, although if the clay is really dense, it might not do much. You could also try adding gypsum; it's known to help with clay soils!
Is gypsum a quick fix? How long does it usually take to see results?
I live in a clay-heavy area too. What worked for me was just going at it manually with a fork. It’s a lot of work, but it helps. Keep in mind, once you level it out, you might need more topsoil than you initially think to get the perfect finish. Good luck!
I tried one of those cultivators, but it got jammed in the clay after a couple of passes. I ended up spending more time unclogging it than actually breaking up the soil!