Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:08am
I'm having some trouble growing grass in my backyard. I have a bunch of bare spots that I've used turf builder on but nothing is happening. The ground is fairly tough/hard so I'm not sure if that could be the problem.
Anyone have some grass growing advice?
IB4 - "first, hope this helps, you're a *****, ETB gfy, etc, etc etc..."
Anyone have some grass growing advice?
IB4 - "first, hope this helps, you're a *****, ETB gfy, etc, etc etc..."
SnotBubbles
Posts: 4,492
May 1, 2013 9:14am
Why are there bare spots? Or do you not know? Something as minor as too much shade can cause grass to not grow properly.
The best way to get grass to grow in problem areas is to hydroseed. You probably will have to pay a landscaper to do it. It grows faster and the mixture will keep pests (birds, bugs, etc) from eating the seed.
Your other option is sod (which is more expensive and has not guarantee it will take.
When grass seed and straw doesn't do the trick...you'll have to spend a little more money.
The best way to get grass to grow in problem areas is to hydroseed. You probably will have to pay a landscaper to do it. It grows faster and the mixture will keep pests (birds, bugs, etc) from eating the seed.
Your other option is sod (which is more expensive and has not guarantee it will take.
When grass seed and straw doesn't do the trick...you'll have to spend a little more money.
Big_Mirg_ZHS
Posts: 2,079
May 1, 2013 9:14am
Oh wait never mind.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:23am
I haven't tried grass seed and straw. Couple things, I have a small back lawn, maybe 13x13 and there is a huge tree too, so that definitely causes lots of shade. Also, last year I accidentally cut the grass too short and it scorched and never came back the same. So i raked the lawn and bare spots, put the turf builder down about a month ago and still nothingSnotBubbles;1436808 wrote:Why are there bare spots? Or do you not know? Something as minor as too much shade can cause grass to not grow properly.
The best way to get grass to grow in problem areas is to hydroseed. You probably will have to pay a landscaper to do it. It grows faster and the mixture will keep pests (birds, bugs, etc) from eating the seed.
Your other option is sod (which is more expensive and has not guarantee it will take.
When grass seed and straw doesn't do the trick...you'll have to spend a little more money.
You think I should go straight grass seed and cover it with straw? I'm not prepared to hire anyone or pay for sod.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
May 1, 2013 9:26am
Rip it all out and put down sod. That's what we did the summer after we moved in to our house when we couldn't get shit to grow.
SnotBubbles
Posts: 4,492
May 1, 2013 9:28am
I'm guessing it's the tree. And unless you cut down or trim the tree, you're not going to have much luck with any of the grass planting methods. I had a neighbors tree that was shading part of my yard by our deck. It stayed dirt all year round. Until the ice storm took out most of the tree and caused him to cut it down. The next spring, it was all grass and I hadn't even planted anything. Although I had tried to seed for years. Weeds can grow without direct sunlight, grass requires a good amount.Raw Dawgin' it;1436813 wrote:I haven't tried grass seed and straw. Couple things, I have a small back lawn, maybe 13x13 and there is a huge tree too, so that definitely causes lots of shade. Also, last year I accidentally cut the grass too short and it scorched and never came back the same. So i raked the lawn and bare spots, put the turf builder down about a month ago and still nothing
You think I should go straight grass seed and cover it with straw? I'm not prepared to hire anyone or pay for sod.
I'd trim up your tree if possible, then go with grass seed and straw. You'd only drop like $25 for a small area like that.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:30am
The tree is massive and the branches are much too high for me to trim. Is it possible the large roots could be a problem too? My landlord said it would be around $3,000 to remove the tree.SnotBubbles;1436816 wrote:I'm guessing it's the tree. And unless you cut down or trim the tree, you're not going to have much luck with any of the grass planting methods. I had a neighbors tree that was shading part of my yard by our deck. It stayed dirt all year round. Until the ice storm took out most of the tree and caused him to cut it down. The next spring, it was all grass and I hadn't even planted anything. Although I had tried to seed for years. Weeds can grow without direct sunlight, grass requires a good amount.
I'd trim up your tree if possible, then go with grass seed and straw. You'd only drop like $25 for a small area like that.
SnotBubbles
Posts: 4,492
May 1, 2013 9:39am
Quite possible, but I'd lean more towards the shade. Regardless...try seeding it first and putting some straw down. Now is the time, don't wait much longer.Raw Dawgin' it;1436817 wrote:The tree is massive and the branches are much too high for me to trim. Is it possible the large roots could be a problem too? My landlord said it would be around $3,000 to remove the tree.
And $3,000 to cut down a tree is asinine. Unless it's a giant redwood, which it's not because they don't grow in Ohio. A mature tree can be cut down for $500. I pay people to do it all the time.
TedSheckler
Posts: 3,974
May 1, 2013 9:40am
Have you put down any broadleaf killer or crabgrass preventer? If so, that's why it's not growing. We're in May now and it's going to start getting hot. At this point, your best bet is to wait until fall to plant seed. Fall is a better time to put downgrass seed anyway. You don't need straw on top unless you notice birds eating up all your seed.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:46am
I live in Maryland - the tree is probably 100 feet. Maybe 10 feet around. I'll try the seeding and straw then.SnotBubbles;1436822 wrote:Quite possible, but I'd lean more towards the shade. Regardless...try seeding it first and putting some straw down. Now is the time, don't wait much longer.
And $3,000 to cut down a tree is asinine. Unless it's a giant redwood, which it's not because they don't grow in Ohio. A mature tree can be cut down for $500. I pay people to do it all the time.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:48am
Yeah - the turf builder has weed/crabgrass preventer and killer. The spots that have grass are awesome. The front is a different story, needs to be completely redone, but since I rent idgaf. I care about the back because I'm partly responsible for why it's in worse shape.TedSheckler;1436823 wrote:Have you put down any broadleaf killer or crabgrass preventer? If so, that's why it's not growing. We're in May now and it's going to start getting hot. At this point, your best bet is to wait until fall to plant seed. Fall is a better time to put downgrass seed anyway. You don't need straw on top unless you notice birds eating up all your seed.
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
May 1, 2013 9:50am
I mix grass seed (Dry and Shady) w/ potting soild, little dirt, add some peat moss, take a shove break up the ground in the area, put down the mixture about 2 inch thick, flat it out a little and water it every other day lightly.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 9:59am
If i owned the place I would've.justincredible;1436815 wrote:Rip it all out and put down sod. That's what we did the summer after we moved in to our house when we couldn't get shit to grow.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
May 1, 2013 10:02am
I just saw in your post before mine that you aren't prepared to pay for sod. Honestly, since you're renting, I wouldn't even GAF about it. How long do you plan on staying there?Raw Dawgin' it;1436835 wrote:If i owned the place I would've.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 10:08am
A couple years - I'm only concerned because I kinda fucked it up otherwise I'm in the idgaf boat. The front is all weeds and crab grass and I just make sure it doesn't break any HOA rules. But we spend a lot of time in the back yard and I don't like how it looks. Also, my neighbors have sweet lawns and it makes me feel like a loser lol.justincredible;1436837 wrote:I just saw in your post before mine that you aren't prepared to pay for sod. Honestly, since you're renting, I wouldn't even GAF about it. How long do you plan on staying there?
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
May 1, 2013 10:12am
God's way of telling you to put in a swimming pool.
SnotBubbles
Posts: 4,492
May 1, 2013 10:18am
Big tree. I could get it done for $1,000.... Haha.Raw Dawgin' it;1436826 wrote:I live in Maryland - the tree is probably 100 feet. Maybe 10 feet around. I'll try the seeding and straw then.
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 10:27am
I'll give you $750 pizza and beer, when can you be here?SnotBubbles;1436847 wrote:Big tree. I could get it done for $1,000.... Haha.
M
MontyBrunswick
May 1, 2013 11:13am
Why hasn't anyone mentioned growing marijuana?
FatHobbit
Posts: 8,651
May 1, 2013 11:14am
dlazz;1436867 wrote:Why hasn't anyone mentioned growing marijuana?
SnotBubbles
Posts: 4,492
May 1, 2013 11:39am
Haha...I don't actually DO the work. I pay others to do it for me.Raw Dawgin' it;1436850 wrote:I'll give you $750 pizza and beer, when can you be here?
Big_Mirg_ZHS
Posts: 2,079
May 1, 2013 11:44am
dlazz;1436867 wrote:Why hasn't anyone mentioned growing marijuana?
Mine was implied.Big_Mirg_ZHS;1436809 wrote:Oh wait never mind.
TedSheckler
Posts: 3,974
May 1, 2013 11:51am
Well, the new seed is not growing because of the Turf Builder. You killed all your grass seed with it. You can't put down new seed for about 4 months after the Turf Builder. Wait until fall and try again.Raw Dawgin' it;1436827 wrote:Yeah - the turf builder has weed/crabgrass preventer and killer. The spots that have grass are awesome. The front is a different story, needs to be completely redone, but since I rent idgaf. I care about the back because I'm partly responsible for why it's in worse shape.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
May 1, 2013 11:51am
I'll cut the tree down for free but you're on the hook for any damage to neighboring properties.Raw Dawgin' it;1436850 wrote:I'll give you $750 pizza and beer, when can you be here?
Raw Dawgin' it
Posts: 11,466
May 1, 2013 11:58am
I've only put down turf builder...so I guess I'm SOL until the fall. Hopefully this shit works.TedSheckler;1436884 wrote:Well, the new seed is not growing because of the Turf Builder. You killed all your grass seed with it. You can't put down new seed for about 4 months after the Turf Builder. Wait until fall and try again.