I am in McKinney and have a lot of clay soil (in case that matters). What's the best thing to use to fill in low spots in my yard? In the past (without knowing any better), I've bought this stuff at HD that's a mixture of topsoil and peat-moss. It does ok, but I'm wondering if I should be using something else.
Also, what do you guys in the north Texas area (with clay soil) for watering? What kind of schedule? I realize most will say it's better to do one or maybe two longer watering's a week. My understanding is that clay soil can only absorb so much at a time. And longer watering's can end up with run-off. Along with the clay soil, my backyard and side yard slope down to the street (I have a corner lot). So if I water too much at one time, it just ends up running down to the street and pooling along the curb. I've sort of tried to combat this by staggering sprinkler times. For example, right now I have 3, 7 minute intervals, spaced an hour and a half apart. I also water early morning. And this time of year, with temps in the 90's and if we go days without rain, I'm watering almost every other day. Yeah, it sounds like a lot to me too. I will add that part of this is to maintain moisture levels around my foundation in addition to the grass. I will say I am very cognizant of watching the weather and shutting off the sprinklers when rain is in the forecast and adjusting my schedule based on rainfall.
Anyway, i'm just curious what others do or any advice.
Also, what do you guys in the north Texas area (with clay soil) for watering? What kind of schedule? I realize most will say it's better to do one or maybe two longer watering's a week. My understanding is that clay soil can only absorb so much at a time. And longer watering's can end up with run-off. Along with the clay soil, my backyard and side yard slope down to the street (I have a corner lot). So if I water too much at one time, it just ends up running down to the street and pooling along the curb. I've sort of tried to combat this by staggering sprinkler times. For example, right now I have 3, 7 minute intervals, spaced an hour and a half apart. I also water early morning. And this time of year, with temps in the 90's and if we go days without rain, I'm watering almost every other day. Yeah, it sounds like a lot to me too. I will add that part of this is to maintain moisture levels around my foundation in addition to the grass. I will say I am very cognizant of watching the weather and shutting off the sprinklers when rain is in the forecast and adjusting my schedule based on rainfall.
Anyway, i'm just curious what others do or any advice.