| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/29/2004 08:27:07 AM · #1 |
As many of you know, I'm moving into a new house. Well, new to my family, but very old to everyone else. It's been empty a while, and the yard shows it. Take a look at the picture at the following link: (I would have posted it to DPC, but we still can't upload stuff yet)
My back yard
More back yard
I've gotten help from you all about this house in the past. Now I need to know what to do with this yard. How can I fix that grass and make it lush and green? Soon, my baby girl is gonna want to run around barefoot in that grass, but certainly not how it is now. Help!
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 08:46:32 AM · #2 |
It does look in need of a little care and attention doesn't it. You could mow it, add a shallow layer of topsoil and fertiliser and loads of grass seed and put the sprinkler hose on it early am and in the late afternoon......might have to do the grass seed a couple of times to get it looking lush. Think that's probably what we'd do here in NZ (this from a brown-thumb gardner)
Other option could be covering it with those blocks of pre-grown turf/grass seed (I think that's what it's called) but they're not commonly used here so don't know a lot about them.
Looks like it'll be a wonderful play area for your little girl when she's ready.
sue |
|
|
|
06/29/2004 09:02:00 AM · #3 |
Seeding would be the cheapest fix. You'd probably want to rent a tiller and add some time release fertilizer. Sod is more expensive but an instant fix. You would still have to till and level the ground though.
You don't have a great deal of space but I think I would still put some plants of varying heights near the wall to break up that strong box like fealing. Kinda soften the hard corners if you know what I mean. Maybe something trained along it would be nice. Bougainvillea?
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 09:05:08 AM · #4 |
You could always have it dug up and get one of those sprayed-on lawns...my parents did that when we had a house built about 25 years ago and that grass is STILL amazing. :o)
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 09:20:01 AM · #5 |
If the soil is anything like it was where I grew up in Southern Cal (sand, rocks and precious little organic matter), sod is the best answer.
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 09:36:32 AM · #6 |
If the house were mine, sod would be the likely solution. Of course, the landlord isn't going to pay for sod, and we don't want to invest that much in a yard that isn't ours. Any other suggestions? If I'm going to seed, what should I do to prepare the yard?
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 10:13:50 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by StevePax:
If I'm going to seed, what should I do to prepare the yard? |
Seed is going to do better if you plant it when it is cooler. You may want to consider waiting until after the summer heat has faded a bit. However, you can start preparing right away. First you would probably want to rip out all the junky grass that's there now. If you leave any it will interfere with the new lawn you are going to plant and more often than not will look wrong if any of it grows back into the new lawn.
Till the soil to loosen it up. While you're tilling you might want to consider adding any amendments. Bulk up the soil with organics. If you are going to use manure now is the time to do it rather than just before seeding. Fresh fertilizers like manure can burn and kill young plants. By putting it in now it will have mellowed by the time you are ready to plant.
Next you'll rake out the soil and make sure it's fairly smooth but draining away from the house/patio. Look for shallow spots where water will collect and fill them in. Same with high spots. You'll want to get rid of those as well because they will dry out sooner than other areas and you'll cut them way too short when the mower goes over them.
If you plan on putting in any edging to define the lawn now is the time to do it.
When it cools off and you're ready to seed you'll want to re rake to break up any crust that may have formed, get rid of compaction caused by kids running around, etc. The seed bag will have the proper concentration printed on it. Follow their instructions. You'll want to water several times a day for the first few weeks. Just light waterings to keep them damp. Not to the point of flooding. When the grass starts to fill in you'll want to cut back on the number of waterings but increase the time so it really soaks in.
For my next novel we'll talk about the joys of mowing. lol
|
|
|
|
06/29/2004 10:16:31 AM · #8 |
Whatever path you take, you'll definitely need to level what's there, or you'll just end up with a lumpy lawn. You will need to add organic matter in some form; sod is a quick fix since you get an inch or more of soil with it. You should factor that into your cost comparison.
Seeding, done right, gives a better end result than sod, IMO, but of course there's no instant gratification. If you go the seed route, level what's there and work in a slow-release fertilizer. Add topsoil (an inch or more) if the existing soil is poor (looks like it is). Make sure the seed you buy is appropriate to the environment. When I seed an area I like to lightly rake over the area to get the seed into the soil instead of laying on top. Covering is important,and of course it needs to be kept moist.
After your lawn is mature, the best thing you can do is not to cut it too short. Cut often, but set the mower high. That will keep out weeds, increase moisture retention, and help with decomposition of thatch.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/23/2025 11:03:12 PM EDT.
