Prepping Terrible Soil for a New Lawn in San Diego

Buying a home in San Diego with spotty grass, rocks, likely poor soil. Removing a tree. Want grass, bird of paradise, palms. How to prep?

Step-by-Step Soil Prep

1. Remove tree & stump. Grind stump 12″ below grade. Remove major roots (>1″) in planting zones—left-behind roots decay, create voids.
2. Clear rocks/debris. Screen soil if rocky (rent a screener).
3. Soil test. UCCE Master Gardeners or private lab. Get pH, nutrients, texture.
4. Amend per test. Typical San Diego soil: alkaline, low organic matter.
   – Add 3–4″ compost tilled 8–12″ deep.
   – Gypsum if high sodium.
   – Sulfur if pH > 7.5.
5. Install irrigation before planting. Drip for plants, rotor for lawn.
6. Grade & firm. Roller pass. Soil = moist brownie texture.

Grass Choice for San Diego

• Kikuyugrass (sod): Best all-around—heat, traffic, dogs, year-round green.
• Tall Fescue (seed/sod): Good shade tolerance, stays green, more water.
• Bermuda (TifTuf): Low water, full sun only.

Planting Timeline

• Palms/bird of paradise: Plant anytime (container). Water deeply.
• Warm-season grass (Kikuyu, Bermuda): Late April–June.
• Cool-season grass (Fescue): Oct–Nov or Mar–Apr.

Watering New Grass

First 2 weeks: 3×/day, 10 min (keep moist).
Weeks 3–4: 1×/day, 20 min.
Then: 1″/week in 1–2 deep cycles.

Don't overwater—fungus risk. Test soil moisture with screwdriver (should slide 6″ easy).

Invest in prep. The lawn and plants will reward you for years.