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08/15/2006 04:06:26 PM · #1 |
Every time I do this...it hurts. Haha, just kidding. OK, I've passed out enough free advice here to ask for some in return.
1/2 of my backyard is on a gentle slope and is planted with creeping red fescue which goes brown early in the summer (Portland, OR). It receives full sun most of the day. It also has some mild bare patches, but nothing terrible just not as thick as I would like. I would like to replace the fescue with perennial rye. Digging the soil it looks like there is red clay as shallow as 2" down in areas which is quite hard. The pH of the soil is about 6.0. I aerates last month, but the grass had already gone dormant. There are patches near the house which do quite well. They are more in the shade, but I think the topsoil is also deeper there, but at least part of the yard seems to grow well.
What are my options?
Would it be adequate to overseed with a 1/2" compost/topsoil? This seems the cheapest and least work, but I don't want to put the effort in and have the same problem next year.
Would it be better to rip up the existing grass, put in a few inches of topsoil and reseed? If I do would I try to till the soil into the existing clay ? or would I just spread it on top to a certain depth?
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08/15/2006 04:09:25 PM · #2 |
I would like the 30 seconds of my life back that I just spent reading about your creeping red fescue.
;-)
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08/15/2006 04:21:24 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by scarbrd:
I would like the 30 seconds of my life back that I just spent reading about your creeping red fescue. ;-) |
Me too.
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Would it be better to rip up the existing grass, put in a few inches of topsoil and reseed? If I do would I try to till the soil into the existing clay ? or would I just spread it on top to a certain depth? |
And since I'm not a landscaper, don't trust me when I say that this sounds reasonable. (Or just use 10x the normal amount of fertilizer, kill it all, then cover the whole thing with rocks like the do in Phoenix and Florida.) |
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08/15/2006 04:24:27 PM · #4 |
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08/15/2006 04:32:20 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by tcmartin:
One word...POND! |
If the landscapers don't hurry up and respond to these questions that's exactly what you're going to have. I live in Eugene and let me tell ya.. The rains are coming! The rains are coming!
=) |
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08/15/2006 04:44:04 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Would it be adequate to overseed with a 1/2" compost/topsoil? This seems the cheapest and least work, but I don't want to put the effort in and have the same problem next year.
Would it be better to rip up the existing grass, put in a few inches of topsoil and reseed? If I do would I try to till the soil into the existing clay ? or would I just spread it on top to a certain depth? |
considering your ph, i'd wait till fall, drop in an inch of topsoil and a couple bags of lime, till it all up about 6 inches down then reseed w/ a rye/fescue blend...
might wanna throw out some straw until the grass starts to come back up...
of course, i'm _not_ a professional landscaper...
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08/15/2006 05:38:40 PM · #7 |
| I'm not a professional landscaper, either, nor do I have a clue what red fescue is. But I'm here for ya, Doc! Here's hoping you get a nice, thick *green* fescue and no backaches from the digging. Otherwise, I'll bet you can get some good help from the county something or-other. I forgot what organization it was that my mom always called to ask questions about bugs on the tomatoes, turkey on the counter, and so on. County Extension? |
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08/15/2006 05:47:52 PM · #8 |
| Bad news. I just looked up the Multnomah County Extension office and it turns out they've been closed since 2003. I remember now that the county extension was part of the University of Oregon and you call or visit to get all kinds of good advice for home things like lawns, food safety, gardening, etc. I guess it's a thing of the past now. :-( |
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08/15/2006 06:10:01 PM · #9 |
I am not a landscaper by any means, but I do believe that the type of grass you have will do better in shaded areas.
You may wish to peruse the contents of this...Choosing the Right Grass Seed... it could prove beneficial.
Ray |
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08/15/2006 06:55:18 PM · #10 |
I am not a professional, but I worked as a landscape foreman for 10 years between 1987 and 1997.
I think your best bet is waiting till fall, ripping up the grass, tilling it over and adding compost and tilling it in 4-6 inches. The pH of your soil sounded in the normal range, (but I did make sure Here). Exactly what you should do is on that site.
As for seed...I would go to a greenhouse or (big box stores) and check and ask about the seed there. They make mixtures for certain areas of the country and direct sun (which is what you want). I have been looking into this Zoysia for a few years.
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03/15/2007 07:46:56 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:
I am not a professional, but I worked as a landscape foreman for 10 years between 1987 and 1997.
I think your best bet is waiting till fall, ripping up the grass, tilling it over and adding compost and tilling it in 4-6 inches. The pH of your soil sounded in the normal range, (but I did make sure Here). Exactly what you should do is on that site.
As for seed...I would go to a greenhouse or (big box stores) and check and ask about the seed there. They make mixtures for certain areas of the country and direct sun (which is what you want). I have been looking into this Zoysia for a few years. |
hey, just wanted to give a little resolution to this story. In september I put the sweat in to rip up my lawn, break up the hardpan, spread out 4-6" of compost, till it in, and seed. Here's a shot of my front yard just after putting down the pavers. I think things worked out pretty well. there are a few weeds in there (chickweed, it turns out), but I've sprayed them and they are starting to turn yellow.
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03/15/2007 07:57:17 PM · #12 |
| Very nice, Doctor!! I love the rainbow chalk drawing too!! |
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