Question
I live out on the western edge of South Jordan. The home I just bought has very sandy/rocky soil. The lawn is an inch to inch and one half depth. I have decided to add at least four inches of topsoil to my back yard this fall and re-seed. The front yard is still worth saving. I have three questions. What is the best Ph level for my soil in this area and what type of seed will work best in high sun location such as the one I live in and last should I consider some type of organic treatment to my front yard to strengthen it and promote growth?
Answer(s)
When you wrote "inch to inch and one half depth" I assume you meant the roots. Good preparation of soil is necessary for a healthy lawn. I am sending you the links to some USU Publications on Turfgrass Care and Turfgrass varieties for Utah. Tall Fescue sounds like a good choice for heat and drought tolerance (see fact sheet below) Good lawn practices for lawns is hollow core aeration, in the fall or spring, and adding well aged compost and rake it into the holes left from the aeration to improve the front yard.
Basic Turfgrass Care
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG_517.pdf
Turfgrass Cultivars for Utah
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG_Grass_2004_01.pdf
For more USU publications on lawn care, go to our USU Extension Salt Lake County website at
http://extension.usu.edu/saltlake/htm/horticulture/lawn-care
Good Gardening!
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