HELP! Nothing but sand!

nicoled – posted 14 August 2006 13:40

The cemetery where my father is buried will no longer be allowed to have woodchips, and so his gravemarker (flat one) is sitting on nothing but sand. The Cemetery Committee said that they will put down black soil and grass seed, but Dad’s grave is nothing but pure sand with pine trees 3/4 of the way around. The cemetery also does not have any type of watering system.Any advice would be so appreciated. It breaks my heart to see his grave marker sitting in nothing but sand.

cohiba – posted 14 August 2006 13:58

Where is the cemetary located? There are lots of native grasses that can handle your situation. Pure sand is a great growing medium provided you have the right turf to go on top.

nicoled – posted 14 August 2006 14:29

The cemetery is Nunica Cemetery. Its in Nunica, Michigan. Approx. 10 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

cohiba – posted 18 August 2006 11:12

Check with the local cooperative extension for grasses that are native to your area. Purchase a blend that will do well in that area, the idea is low maintenance. Get ready to rake out the area, seed, pack in the area, and water until establishment or until the weather helps you out. If it is pure sand than you have very little fertility. You will need a grass that doesn’t require much water, fertilizer and can handle about a 2″ hieght of cut.

Check with the cooperative extension and get back to us.

Good luck………….