link to When To Fertilize Blueberries: Seasonal Plant Food Timing For Blueberry Bushes, link to 32 Camping Gifts Perfect For Outdoorsy Friends Or Nature-Loving Family Members, read this article about why soil tests matter, USGA golf course green construction manual. He quickly arranged for a drop off of fill dirt, and was courteous all the while. Keep the seeds moist. Some people will till in the fall and level the soil a few times before and after winter to let the lumps and bumps out settle out of the lawn. The key to planting grass in clay soil is to first amend the soil to make it looser, drier and more fertile. Also willing to discuss other projects and reasonably priced. Highly recommend! Hedge your bets, and get a nice mix from a local store with knowledgable staff. It actually ended up being slightly less costly and time-consuming than we had assumed. Of course, you will be in for some hard work, but the resulting lush green lawn will be all worth it. Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun and Shade Mix. Fill your broadcast spreader with your selected grass seed. The absence of heavy traffic allows air to fill up some of the void space between soil particles. If the lawn is being renovated, and you’re here reading an article about growing grass on hard dirt, then there are likely a few weeds to deal with. My company, Benchmark Utility Services, has used Dirt Connections for many jobs and they always deliver for us! 5 out of 5 stars. Sometimes core aeration and a top dressing of compost just isn’t quite enough to create the well-draining soil grass loves. Grass to be planted on fill will do better if organic matter is worked into the soil before the seed is planted. Chuck Moore and his staff have helped our family with multiple projects, including moving, snow removal, and water remediation! No amount of TLC after planting will make up for poor soil prep. It’s a lot of work, but the organic matter holds air in the soil well. Core aeration is usually a good idea for residential lawns, which are often compacted. To plant grass seed on hard dirt, fix the hard dirt before planting the grass seed. Grass roots need this air! Simply sprinkling grass seed on the lawn is a common method of seeding. Chuck goes above and beyond to service his clients and most of all I appreciate they level of communication. It's critically important to keep your seeded area watered, but you want … Would recommend them highly and definitely use them again! At least rake them in a bit! … We watered and levelled the lawn area a few times to let the air pockets settle out, and then it was smooth sailing to turf town. Chuck is very knowledgable and has a ton of experience in the industry. 2 inch. Chuck made sure the mistake was corrected quickly and went the extra mile. They checked in with me on each step, and at the beginning and end of each day. In all, I have received 60 truckloads of fill dirt. One way to re-introduce air into soil is with a core aerator. Step one is to get a soil analysis done. Water and Protect the Grass. This grass sprouts quickly and is very hard … Highly recommend. In our area, mixes of perennial ryegrass, fescue, and kentucky bluegrass do well. What if the dirt is still too hard to grow grass? The project was wrapped up much faster than I had estimated, given the issues that heavy rain has caused all over Fairfax County. You can purchase this from the store, or … To plant grass seed on hard dirt, fix the hard dirt before planting the grass seed. Topsoil is mined as a whole product rather than mixed up from separate ingredients. Perhaps the air pockets were squished out by glaciers thousands of years ago. Remove all debris and any wood, stones or large roots. They are serious about their grass growing…right down to constructing their grass soil beds with gravel drainage blankets and using a specified soil particle size distribution. I needed fill dirt for repairing some torn up pastures. He was correct. If you need dirt and you live in northern Virginia I highly suggest calling them. It couldn't have been any easier or faster. I had a few people string me along promising good quality fill dirt but never delivering. When you build a home the … It will tell you if perhaps your soil has less organic matter than you hoped. These void spaces also hold moisture to help grass through dry spells. Time It Right. The instructions to receive the load were explicit and they made sure I knew what I was getting. One of the major … I would definitely recommend Dirt Connections for your foundation/structural needs. Grass seeds don’t have the best chance if they are caught up in other grass plants, in weeds, in thatch, or pretty much anything but nicely cultivated soil. Don’t let the seeded dirt area dry out, but a mucky wet mess is no good either. Compacted soil also doesn't deliver enough oxygen or moisture to the growing grass seedlings. For best results, break compacted soil up into … Over the last few years, Home for the Harvest has grown into a popular home & garden site with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. … I agreed and when he saw the rocks he said he would take care of the problem. They even helped me think through what I needed to do after the dirt arrived. Awesome guy, great businessman, and a great connection to have. "Ten or 15 years down the road when that tree is walking its roots across the surface of the soil, you can't grow grass on it anymore, and the homeowner is wondering why," said Waltz. A core aerator is a machine which pulls out little plugs of dirt, leaving small holes of air in the soil. Soil tests can tell you how much clay, silt, sand, and organic matter your soil contains. Some of the grass (and likely the weeds) do survive the topsoil blanket and manage to push up through the dirt. Highly recommend if you are in need of soil. This review concerns my use of Dirt Connections, 11325 Random Hills Rd #360, Fairfax, VA 22030. Get a lab soil test done – it is so worth it! Soil out in nature doesn’t get too much foot traffic. Here’s how we finally had success! No Thank You!At that point - around the first week of August, 2020 I contacted Chuck Moore as I was in need of about 10 more truckloads of fill dirt. The guys who came to the project site were so kind, helpful, respectful, and communicative. Most types of grass can grow through 2-3 inches of topsoil placed on top of it if the plants are healthy. Even on very large trees, more than 50 percent of those roots stay in the top six inches of soil — primed to compete with grass roots. Mary Jane is a home gardener who loves creating healthy, welcoming spaces (indoors and out!) Dirt becomes hard when air pockets get squished out of it. I honestly didn't (and still don't) think there could be anyone more customer-oriented or easier to work with than Chuck and his workers/subcontractors. Responds quickly and very flexible to meet any request. Its something that many gardeners are simply not aware of. Get a handful of soil from the ground where you want to plant the grass Add some water to the soil, just enough to make it pliable Knead the soil into a ball Use your index finger and thumb to flatten the soil … If you're looking for affordable fill dirt/top soil, excellent customer service, and responsiveness - Chuck at Dirt Connections is your guy! Chuck is reliable and responsive and was able to get me all the dirt I needed for my job. It is always a welcome relief when you have a company that is consistently dependable. We ordered a total of 20 yards of topsoil for both the backyard and front yard. Wild grass can even be seen growing on piles of fill dirt at construction sites. Only do what you need to do! Rake the soil with your garden rake to remove any tilled-up debris and to even out the soil. When your soil is compacted, your plants cant grow well. Dirt showed up same day! Water regularly, especially if you have poor soil. I contracted with Chuck to remove an old pool at our new home. The machine is about the size of a lawnmower, and is usually available for rent. I spoke to Chuck Moore and have dealt with him on various projects over the past two years. The grass may grow, but it will never thrive. Their customers service was outstanding. Weeds, bald spots, and puddles will always be an issue. Key point – get a soil test done at a laboratory. Aeration loosens up the top level of soil without a lot of invasive digging that … We need to get some void space back into the soil to hold air and water. Lawn Grasses and Shade Tolerance. So, compact soil that doesn’t have much air available isn’t going to be the best for grass roots or grass plants for that matter. Whatever the cause, compacted soil does not have a nice mix of minerals, air, and water. Grass often grows through topsoil when a thinner layer of topsoil is placed on top of an old lawn. Topsoil in our area is about $40 a yard. Great guy, great company, thanks Chuck! I would highly recommend this service! Grass seed is not the place to cheap out. Purchased seeds have been carefully bred, grown, harvested, cleaned, packaged, and shipped to you. If I had the opportunity again, I would definitely work with him on any project his company handles. Great professional company, contracted for for some gravel and grading to extend driveway and did an outstanding job. Fill is a construction material and should be free of organics, as it’s mined from the ground under the topsoil. I am going to call Chuck and Dirt Connections about our future bathroom and concrete driveway remodeling as well. These types of soil compaction tests are fascinating but aren’t really designed for home gardens or the organic matter that they (hopefully) contain. Dirt Connections is great! Plant Zoysiagrass, fine fescues or grasses native to your area. Will be ordering more! On behalf of the Trustees of Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, I see hallmarks of this project (filling a 6 foot sinkhole) by Dirt Connections as the contractor's extremely prompt response and the thorough accomplishment of the work. The fill dirt is clean. Bringing in good topsoil is what finally worked for us. Welcome! This increases the organic matter on the soil surface, as well as down in the holes from the core aerator. Very responsive and professional. These are good folks that made us feel confident that the job would be done well and it was. highly recommended. I will definitely use Dirt Connections again. He was easy to get a hold of and quick to respond. Thank you for everything, Chuck!! Drivers were good and dumped exactly where I asked. Our pickup truck bed can hold about a yard, so you can think of the dirt price as $40 per pickup truck full of soil. We once tried some bulk seed from a landscape store that was SUPER cheap…..it turned out to be mostly “annual ryegrass”…..annual meaning that it only lasted one year. As I was discussing this with him I snarked that I didn’t need to add to my $3000 pile of rocks. I can’t say enough good things about my experience. Would strongly recommend. Hardpan soil is soil that is so compacted that water may not be able to penetrate. We learned pretty quickly that dealing with the hard soil was a better option than just trying to coax grass seed to grow. Prepare The Soil. Grass will grow in fill dirt, but it won’t have the same access to nutrients as it would if it were growing in topsoil. I didn't need as much dirt as the driver brought. During our first call, he clearly explained both options for the project, and he was the first contractor I brought out after we closed on the home. In a nutshell, you have to correct your soil's pH, add organic material … The soil needs to be touching each grass seed for the best results. Many lawns will be ready for seed at this point. They can also give insight into which nutrients might be missing. When we first bought the house, we wondered how to plant grass seed on hard dirt. Make sure you wait for the right time of year to plant new grass seed. Also, be sure that you can change the grade of your property like that. I would not hesitate to use him in the future. Special thanks to Chuck for helping me plan my patio project, He took time out of his day to e-mail me the details of what it would take for me to build a DIY brick patio. A common method is to rent a rototiller machine and till in compost of some kind. Fill is great to “fill” up low spots in the ground, but doesn’t have the decomposed matter that makes topsoil so great for grass. Some of these seeds will probably grow, but many will not. Once you’ve got lovely loosened-up soil, it’s business as usual in terms of grass seed planting. Once you’ve got good grass seed, make sure it’s well in contact with the soil. I got 30 truck loads and Chuck was always responsive and informative about the process and details. You’ll also have to spend extra time leveling out the soil before planting grass seed. Great quality dirt, quick responses to all my inquiries. Very shortly after I accepted the proposal Martir called and we arranged payment (made very convenient) and he got the permit request in right away. This is especially true when trying to plant grass in clay soil. Follow the instructions on the bag, which usually include raking it in or sprinkling soil on top of the seed. They were on time, courteous and went beyond our expectations with the addition they did for us. hard dirt = no space = no air/water = sad plants. Core aeration is often followed by top-dressing the lawn with compost. Our dirt needs made our project stressful, but Chuck was there to walk us thru the whole process and ensured we were taken case of, and he was available to answer any questions - even during evening hours and on Sundays. The delivery (1/2 truckload) was timely and as promised. Chuck kept me in the loop during each step of the way. If all else fails (or is simply too much bother), consider bringing in high-quality topsoil. This was not the quick-and-easy solution we were first looking for, but it has totally changed the way we think about our lawn. We tried everything! I gave Dirt Connections a call about a week ago to see what they could do about remodeling the bathroom at my house. I thought the quote was very affordable, and will be recommending him to my friends. The roots of grass plants need direct access to both air and water. - About Mary Jane (https://www.homefortheharvest.com/authors/about-mary-jane-duford/), When To Fertilize Blueberries: Seasonal Plant Food Timing For Blueberry Bushes. The results may surprise you! Some things worked, and some definitely didn’t. Dirt connections was able to execute this job on time, beyond expectations, and at a fair price. Loose, uncompacted fill may be ok with just a few inches of homemade compost or topsoil placed on top of it. Our delivery was placed in the wrong location. If you’re thinking of doing something similar, consider measuring your yard before you order. From that moment on my life just got a lot better. Knowing how soil compaction happens and then taking steps towards improving compacted soil will help your garden flourish. Growing grass on top of hard dirt isn’t going to be super easy and it’s going to … One estimate was foe $2500 and the other was for nearly $3000. I had such a fantastic experience working with Chuck at Dirt Connections, and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone for any project. We would strongly recommend them to anyone needing any of their services! He told me I needed twice as much as my contractor suggested. However, some grass … It wasn't cheap but it was definitely money well spent.They came out to survey the job for an estimate within a couple days of my request. Looking for the perfect camping gift for your outdoorsy friend or family member? Chuck took the time to walk me through the entire process. There is nothing like being out in the garden. Great service, great dirt, all around great experience! I needed 25 truck loads of backfill and couldn’t be happier with the experience. As for the crew, they were on time or early, answered any questions I had, were a pleasure to have around, and were right on schedule completing the job. The service is stellar A+, very organized, on-time and they are flexible on delivery. After spreading all that fill dirt, I also ended up with a pile of ricks that I couldn’t use. Chuck contacted me immediately after I placed my order and had the dirt delivered to me in less than 24 hours. Working with them was a remarkable experience, starting with the communication, punctuality, the delivery and the quality of soil. You need to get air and organic matter into the root zone soil before seeding the lawn. This site also participates in affiliate programs with other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Let me show you how to grow grass in clay soil and grow a beautiful lawn. Adding organic compost to your soil is a good way to make sure it does not get compact. While hard dirt is not the best environment to grow grass seed, improving the soil is highly possible. It was the kind of clay that sticks to your shoes and gets tracked all through the mudroom. We started with one pickup truck and it went so well, we decided to do the whole yard. They're always willing to help, and they do so quickly and professionally! How to Germinate Grass Seeds in Sandy Soil. The physical barrier alone makes it difficult, but that's not all. Those young plants depend on the water to grow and access the nutrients in your new soil. Chuck did a great job getting fill dirt for my project. While turf grass will grow in fill dirt, it generally won’t thrive. This is how grass grows in nature; not all seeds turn into grass plants. Including delivery and taxes, the bulk order was about $900. For a prompt, precise, professional free estimate, complete the form below or call 703-940-9949. Chuck and Co. were responsive and careful to help develop the scope of the need for my project. No issues. Excellent service. Because consistent moisture is so key to growing grass seed, the best times of year to plant grass are in late spring (once the ground has warmed up), or in early fall (after the intense heat of summer has faded). Chuck Moore at Dirt Connections really goes above and beyond to help his customers with all their trucking needs! It has been my privilege to deal with an honorable human being - Chuck Moore. Website by 321 Web Marketing. I worked with Chuck who was VERY accommodating. They were thoughtful as well, among other touches making sure to grade the new dirt (soon to be new yard) so rain water would flow correctly to avoid pooling and when they left on the last day everything was cleaned up including sweeping the dirt off of the end of the driveway. Chuck is the man! I contacted Chuck because I needed 15 loads of dirt for a rather large project in my backyard. You’re also less likely to be hit by a surprise watering restriction. Overall great team and plan on using them again! How to Grow Grass in Hard Dirt Step 1. First off, get a high quality grass seed. Chuck is not only honest, but he comes across as a good person - the opposite of which I had read about fill dirt movers. It will create lovely air voids for the grass root zones. Moisture is key to growing grass seed in any kind of soil. Chuck expressed his concern and asked if he could come to my house and look at the rock pile. If you’re planting … We brought in a truckload of some really high-quality topsoil and just buried all the clay. Dirt Connections was a pleasure to do business with. Choose a variety of grass to grow that can thrive even in poor soil. He was able to help me meet a deadline. However, there's still hope. Thank you. Use a spade and garden rake to scratch the soil 1 to 2 inches at the surface, then dig about … By “good topsoil”, I mean real soil that has been dug out of the ground somewhere. It wasn’t cheap, but we don’t regret it one bit. It's tough for the roots of grass seedlings to penetrate hard dirt. It’s worth the time and attention it takes…soon the seed will establish itself and then it won’t be quite so needy. Thank you very much for the work done!!! Everything was coordinated precisely to my expectations. Collect 3-inch-deep soil samples from 10 to 12 areas of your yard by using a spade shovel. … Aerate. Break up the sandy soil to a depth of 8 inches using a spade or a … Will be using Dirt Connections again in the future for more fill/top soil needs. You need to get air and organic matter into the root zone soil … My experience with Dirt Connections has been excellent. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Outgoing links in this post may be affiliate links in which this site receives a portion of sales at no extra cost. Chuck does a great job at taking care of customers. Highly recommended. Dirt Connections showed up at 7am the next morning! Watering in the evening or early morning will give the water a … No amount of TLC after planting will make up for poor soil prep. Bermuda grass does well in full sun, but it will tolerate some shade. It’s hard to grow healthy grass on an unknown growing medium. His follow up in making sure everything was on time and completed is a rarity in today’s world. Dirt Connections is amazing. It is possible, but there is some hard work and expense involved. Definitely recommend working with him. Thanks Chuck! Over-tilling your lawn and garden can create very compact soil. Very organized, on-time and they made sure I knew what I was discussing this him! And concrete driveway remodeling as well brick repair be ready for seed at this.... Dealing with the experience him I snarked that I couldn ’ t say enough good things about my experience pulls... Option may be affiliate links in this post may be ok with just a few people me. 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