How do I improve the sandy soil in my yard? - Ask Extension
I recently bought a home in Stacy, Mn where the soil is incredibly sandy. What is the quickest way to improve the soil in my yard and gardens?
Knowledgebase
How do I improve the sandy soil in my yard? #877851
Asked July 18, 2024, 8:19 PM EDT
I recently bought a home in Stacy, Mn where the soil is incredibly sandy. What is the quickest way to improve the soil in my yard and gardens?
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Wow! that is practically a beach. What do your neighbors do? Is there someone nearby with a successful garden? Local knowledge can be most helpful. Adding a couple of inches of compost is the fastest way to improve the soil do so spring and fall. Carrots grow best in sandy soil. Drought tolerant plants are a good choice. if you want to grow water hungry plants I would use raised beds with good quality soil.
I have been researching the use of cover crops such as red clover to add organic material to the soil as well. Do you have any recommendations?
A cover crop would need to be cut down and tilled in to be beneficial and you would loose the grass that is growing. I would plant annual rye because it looks like grass and can be mowed. However, some sources say crimson clover does better than rye on sandy soil. If it were me I would use a mix of each and see what does better. Annual rye would not have to be tilled into the soil because it behaves like grass and is in many grass see mixes.
https://extension.umn.edu/cover-crops-and-soil-health/cover-crop-selection-vegetable-growers
https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/cover-crops-and-green-manures
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/management_and_planting_of_crimson_clover
https://extension.umn.edu/cover-crops-and-soil-health/cover-crop-selection-vegetable-growers
https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/cover-crops-and-green-manures
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/management_and_planting_of_crimson_clover
Thank you! The existing grass is just as you can see in the photo. A little crabgrass here and there so tilling up the yard to improve it is not an issue. I just want to look at putting a plan together for long term improvement.
https://droughtresources.unl.edu/soil-amendment-lawns-and-landscapes#:~:text=Sandy%20soils%20are%20managed%20best,aged%20manure%20and%20leaf%20mold.
https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/how-to-amend-sandy-soil/
https://www.mcwd.org/docs/enews/2020-09-10%205%20Tips%20for%20Maintaining%20Lawns%20in%20Sandy%20Soil.pdf
https://turf.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/agry-98-03.pdf
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-sand
I hope these resources help you make a plan. There are lots of beautiful lawns on sandy soil and they start with organic matter.
https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/how-to-amend-sandy-soil/
https://www.mcwd.org/docs/enews/2020-09-10%205%20Tips%20for%20Maintaining%20Lawns%20in%20Sandy%20Soil.pdf
https://turf.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/agry-98-03.pdf
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-sand
I hope these resources help you make a plan. There are lots of beautiful lawns on sandy soil and they start with organic matter.
