Question
Dear Larry,

You didn't have a description of your expertise so I don't know if you can answer this question or not. But here goes:

My yard is totally made up of red clay and it has been very hard to get grass, trees, flowers, etc to get a good root base going for them to grow properly.  Although it seems like weeds have no problem at all.   I have a Japanese Maple that the previous owners of this property planted about 14 years ago and it is still only about 6 or 7 feet tall and has only grown a few inches in the 3 years that I've lived here.  This is just one example.  I have plans to plant several trees to make a privacy barrier but if they don't grow it will be a waste of time and money.

Other than tilling up the entire yard and putting down "Real" dirt topsoil, what can I do to help improve the yard so that things will grow better?   A friend told me something about putting Lime down, but I didn't know how this would help.  Any thoughts you have about this situation are welcome.  

Thanks,
Gary  

Answer
hi Gary
start with a soil test to check Ph, then dig a hole and fill with water to see how long it takes to drain. it should only take a few minutes. if it is more than half an hour you have a drainage problem if your ph is any lower than 6.5 you will need lime. to corrrect drainage break up the clay by tilling in some compost. Also try to plant things hardy to your area. as far as grass shady areas need more of a fescue while sunny areas like the bluegrass.
Good Luck  Larry  ;-)