Clay Soil Lawn Rescue: Drainage Fixes That Work in West Sussex

How clay causes lawn trouble

Clay particles are tiny and pack tightly, leading to:

• Poor drainage & puddling after rain.
• Compaction under foot traffic.
• Shallow roots, moss growth and patchiness.

The step-by-step fix

1. Hollow-tine aeration (core removal) in spring or autumn to open channels.
2. Topdressing: Brush in a sandy loam/rootzone blend (3–5 mm) after aeration to improve the profile over time.
3. Wetting agents on hydrophobic (dry-patch) areas to help water infiltrate.
4. French drains/sumps for persistent wet spots (discreet, effective).
5. Overseeding with deep-rooting rye/fescue mix; topdress again.
6. Balanced feeding (avoid heavy spring nitrogen that drives lush, weak top growth).

Maintenance habits that help

• Mow higher (4–5 cm) to reduce stress.
• Avoid walking on saturated or frosty grass (prevents smearing/compaction).
• Annual aeration + light topdressing builds a freer-draining rootzone.

Local note: Arundel gardens on heavier clays benefit most from repeat aeration and incremental topdressing.

Need a clay-rescue plan? We aerate, topdress and overseed lawns across West Sussex. Ask for a site visit.