Grass Seed for Sandy Soil - Ask Extension
I want to grow a lawn on Beaver Island. The soil is quite sandy.
It doesn't need to be mowed often, but I want to have some ground cover.
The lot i...
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Grass Seed for Sandy Soil #941827
Asked August 07, 2026, 3:49 PM EDT
I want to grow a lawn on Beaver Island. The soil is quite sandy.
It doesn't need to be mowed often, but I want to have some ground cover.
The lot is woodsy, but the sandy soil is about 50 feet all around the house.
Thank you!
Charlevoix County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Afternoon,
I'm not sure if you are seeding a new lawn or over-seeding an existing lawn. Either way you should consider doing a soil test if you haven't done so in the past 2-3 years. Knowing the type and fertility (pH, macro-nutrient levels, CEC, etc.) of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Soil test results will identify any fertility concerns that you can work to correct, to improve turf health. You will probably need to add organic material (compost, rotted leaves, etc.) because your soil is sandy.
Cool season turf grass is appropriate for your area (Kentucky Bluegrass, Turf-type Tall Fescue, Fescues, Perennial Ryegrass). Here is more detail on various cool season turf grasses and seeding a lawn:
Turfgrass species ID & Cultivar Selection (E2912)-MSU - select turfgrass cultivars based on the use of your lawn (kids & pets, athletic use, show ,etc.) and the maintenance level you plan to support for your lawn.
Turfgrass species selection-UMass - New England info, suggested mixtures that work-use Midwest cultivars
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Lawn Establishment Steps-PSU
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
How to Overseed A Lawn-Iowa
Turfgrass Seed Rates-PSU
Improving Lawns in The Shade-Purdue
Planting & Maintaining A Bee Lawn-UMN - an alternative thought
If you have shady areas, use a higher percentage of fine leaved fescue in the seed mix for the shady area. Around any tree trunks you may even want to consider a shade tolerant ground cover, as even fescues find it difficult to survive in deep shade (Shady Lawn Alternatives-MSU). Also, if you add topsoil be sure to mix it into the existing soil to prevent soil layering which is detrimental to turf health. I have not recommended specific brands because MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands.
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
I'm not sure if you are seeding a new lawn or over-seeding an existing lawn. Either way you should consider doing a soil test if you haven't done so in the past 2-3 years. Knowing the type and fertility (pH, macro-nutrient levels, CEC, etc.) of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Soil test results will identify any fertility concerns that you can work to correct, to improve turf health. You will probably need to add organic material (compost, rotted leaves, etc.) because your soil is sandy.
Cool season turf grass is appropriate for your area (Kentucky Bluegrass, Turf-type Tall Fescue, Fescues, Perennial Ryegrass). Here is more detail on various cool season turf grasses and seeding a lawn:
Turfgrass species ID & Cultivar Selection (E2912)-MSU - select turfgrass cultivars based on the use of your lawn (kids & pets, athletic use, show ,etc.) and the maintenance level you plan to support for your lawn.
Turfgrass species selection-UMass - New England info, suggested mixtures that work-use Midwest cultivars
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Lawn Establishment Steps-PSU
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
How to Overseed A Lawn-Iowa
Turfgrass Seed Rates-PSU
Improving Lawns in The Shade-Purdue
Planting & Maintaining A Bee Lawn-UMN - an alternative thought
If you have shady areas, use a higher percentage of fine leaved fescue in the seed mix for the shady area. Around any tree trunks you may even want to consider a shade tolerant ground cover, as even fescues find it difficult to survive in deep shade (Shady Lawn Alternatives-MSU). Also, if you add topsoil be sure to mix it into the existing soil to prevent soil layering which is detrimental to turf health. I have not recommended specific brands because MSU Extension does not endorse any retailers or brands.
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
Thank you!! It's great.
You're welcome.
