Ask The Biologist

What can I plant in Sharkey clay that will help stop erosion and is easy to maintain?

QUESTION: I have recently placed a pond on my property to help out wildlife during drought conditions in northeast to east-central Louisiana. The soils are Sharkey clay and I am looking for advice on a grass cover planting. I have had success with clover in these soils but am looking for something with less maintenance. Any thoughts?

ANSWER: I am not sure what type of clover you’ve planted, but one way to reduce maintenance is to switch from an annual to a perennial clover. That way you won’t have to plant every year. Another is to consider mowing as optional. Some folks recommend mowing clover to promote growth but it’s not always necessary. By mowing, you’re actually cutting off some of the crop you’ve grown, although some nutrients are returned to the soil.

If you want to address drought conditions in clay soil, you might consider planting a blend of clover and chicory. The clover will do well in (normally wet) clay soils, but the chicory has a deeper root and will do better during drought conditions.