How to Grow Grass In Sandy Soil: 6 Steps to Success

First, test the pH levels and nutrients in your soil to know what you’re dealing with and what improvements you can make to the soil before planting grass. Most grasses require a specific acidity level that you can achieve using organic materials called amendments.

Sandy soil is tricky because it doesn’t contain the natural nutrients and organic matter necessary for grass to grow. To help with lawn growth, apply compost to the soil annually to give it a much-needed boost of organic compounds.

Testing can prevent you from wasting time and money on techniques and soil amendments you don’t need. You can take a soil sample and have it tested for free by your local county government. For speedier results, you can pay the cost of a soil test from a lab or buy a DIY soil testing kit for around $15. 

For accurate results, don’t take a soil sample from a recently fertilized area.

When trying to choose the right type of grass for a sandy yard, pick one that’s drought-tolerant with deep roots. It’s also key to find a grass that will thrive in your home climate.

In warm regions like the South, the Gulf Coast, and Southern California, choose grasses that hail from tropical regions with high heat tolerance, such as the following:

• Bahiagrass

• Centipede grass

• Carpetgrass

• St. Augustine grass

• Bermuda grass

• Zoysia grass

If you live in a cooler region such as the Pacific Northwest, New England, Northern California, or the Upper Midwest, consider one of these grass species that can withstand seasonal changes:

• Kentucky bluegrass

• Fine fescues

• Tall fescues

• Perennial ryegrass

Skip this step if you’ve got an established yard already. To prepare the soil, start by tilling the soil at least eight inches deep to remove dead roots or debris that could stall grass growth. Spray your yard with a non-selective weed killer that will kill off any plants you don’t want growing on your lawn.

Because tilling soil makes it more prone to erosion, lay a barrier of rocks around your yard and make sure your lawn is level to prevent flooding and standing water.

Sandy soil contains fewer nutrients than other soil types. Organic amendments like compost, manure, ground bark, or peat moss can help your soil hold moisture and increase your chances of growing grass. Before sowing grass seed, mix two inches of organic material into the top six inches of soil. Doing so during warmer summer weather helps it break down faster.

If your soil test results show low pH levels, you can also add lime to increase them. If they show high pH levels, you should add citric acid or sulfur to achieve the opposite effect.

When planting grass seed in sandy soil, keep the following tips in mind:

• Timing is key: Plant grass side in early spring if you live in a warmer climate or early fall if you live in a cooler climate.

• Prevent overcrowding: Use a fertilizer spreader on the lowest setting to spread grass seeds, making multiple passes until you have approximately 16 seeds per square inch.

• Bury your seeds: To allow moisture from the soil to enter the seed and start the germination process, bury your seeds ⅛-inch deep in topsoil.

• Cover the area: Use peat moss or seeding straw to cover the entire seeded area. This will help maintain moisture levels.

• Water frequently: Keep your soil consistently moist, but don’t overwater. You may need to water more often in the summer months.

Expect to see grass sprouting up anywhere from a week to four weeks after you plant it.

Following simple fertilizing basics to stay safe and protect the environment, regularly apply fertilizer every month throughout the growing season. Apply balanced dry fertilizer at a rate of one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn, plus an additional nitrogen-only fertilizer at the same rate during every other application.

You can also leave clippings out whenever you mow your lawn. These clippings will break down and return nutrients to the soil.