First of all "Howdy". I've been a member for a few weeks, bubbling over with questions but wanting to search the site for answers before asking. What a nice friendly group y'all are!
We recently moved into a 4-year old home in Tyler. The builder, like so many do, leveled this lot with sand and put down St Augustine sod. Of course the grass suffered during the long, hot summer months because the roots only have the 1" or so of topsoil that came with the sod. The neighbors seem to fertilize frequently and hope for the best. We're more interested in building up the soil. Do we just spread a few loads of top soil and compost every Spring?
While we're waiting for that project we'll spend the Fall tearing out the beds in the front of the house. Black plastic mulch covered with rocks in the full sun! I could have understood if it were a cactus garden but not for the perennials we have planned.
Looking forward to participating.
Carl
Sod on top of sand
A big howdy back at ya, cherrybark...lots of wonderful folks are here who can answer most if not ALL of your questions...lol :) Welcome to DG... :)
Hasta gro makes a product that is a LOT better at building up for grass than just fertilizer.
I would put a dressing of compost and spray a few times a year with the hastagro product.
HOWDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hehehehe, I have talked and researched and watch neighbors and well....... what is your soil like underneath that which they brought in to lay the sod?
If it is rock, limestone, like most of San Antonio, then layer, layer, layer every year with a light top soil and compost mix to build up. overtime, everything breeaks down underneath and you can get another inch or 2 where the rocks are now (plus the 3 or 4 inches you layered over it. This works for every type of soil, mostly your only option with rocky ground expect for using raised beds.
And what ever you do DON'T till the ground. This just compacts the soil that the tiller blades don't reach. Completely offsetting all your efforts to gain deep rich soil.
Sorry for the long windedness. I just had this discussion in my soil science class. Good luck with the soil improvement.
calvin
Howdy Cherrybark! Welcome!
We have clay soil in our backyard and we topdress with compost every spring. It's beginning to make a difference. Finally! Good luck with yours.