Sandy soils are typically low in nutrients and have difficulty retaining moisture. Using the right type of lawn seed can greatly increase the health and vigor of a lawn planted in this type of soil. Drought tolerance is a key characteristic for suitable grass types, because sandy soils increase the effects of drought. While the new grass sprouts, it is important to maintain a consistent supply of moisture until the grass develops its roots.
Fescue grass, Festuca spp., hardy from USDA zones 1 through 7, is the most commonly used seed for establishing lawns in sandy soils. There are several types of fescue grasses, each with specific climate adaptations and preferences. Creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra, is the most useful grass seed for these conditions, because it spreads through underground rhizomes, allowing it to establish quickly and fill in gaps in the lawn. Chewing's fescue, Festuca rubra L. ssp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman, prefers sandy, low-nutrient soil, germinates easily and requires little fertilizer. Hard fescue, _Fetusca brevipila '_Tracey', is known for being low maintenance and staying naturally short, requiring less frequent mowing. Fescue grasses are all shade-tolerant and actually grow faster in the shade. In the sun, fescue maintains good health but grows at a slower rate.
Fescue grass seed is often planted in blends of three to five grass types, often including buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Grass seed blends increase disease resistance, strength against wear and tolerance to changes in weather. Additionally, blends are used to match sun or shade requirements of a particular location. Buffalo grass, perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are all sun-loving grass types, and blending these with fescue helps lawns to thrive in both sun and sandy conditions. Blends of the different fescue types are used for shade. Combining grass types allows lawns to stay healthy, even if the individual grass types suffer periodically.
Seeding a Lawn
Fescue and fescue blends germinate when the soil is around 70 degrees, either in the spring or fall. Lawns may be successfully over-seeded in the spring, but new lawns are best seeded in September or October throughout most of California, so that they have time to develop a strong root system before facing summer heat and drought. Prior to planting, all weeds should be removed and 3 to 6 inches of compost should be mixed into the top layer of soil. Compost is especially important when planting in sandy soil, to improve moisture retention and provide nutrients. Seeds should be spread and mixed into the top inch of soil with a rake and firmed down by walking over it. Loose straw can be used to keep soil in place and prevent water runoff.
New Lawn Maintenance
Consistent moisture is the most important factor in establishing a new lawn. The lawn many require watering multiple times per day to keep the soil moist. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, watering can become less frequent. Aim to water 6 inches deep, twice a week, unless there is adequate rainfall. The new lawn should receive two applications of fertilizer in the fall – one a month after seeding and another one month after that. When the blades reach 3 inches, the new grass can be mowed; make sure to remove no more than one-third of the grass blade height.
- University of California IPM Online: Turf Adaptations and Tolerances
- USDA NRCS: Creeping Red Fescue Fact Sheet
- University of California Agriculture: No-Mow Finleaf Fescue Grasses for California Urban Landscapes
- American Meadows Seed Company: Fescue Grass
- USDA Plant Profile: Festuca rubra L. ssp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman
- USDA NRCS Fact Sheet: Hard Fescue
- USDA NRCS Fact Sheet: Buffalograss
- USDA NRCS Fact Sheet: Perennial Ryegrass
- USDA NRCS Fact Sheet: Kentucky Bluegrass
- Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images