Help

Isettatom · 03-25-2009, 02:11 PM

HI

I have a small back yard. That has many shady spots. To make it worse I have two Boxers(dogs).....Ive grown about 6 lawns in 6 years they all make it to the new lush grass stage and then die off. Ive trimmed the trees way back to allow more light.... Ive tried shade mix. Im not sure if its my soil or the lack of light or both....

Can anyone suggest a harty grass seed to use and or a soil treatment that will stand up to the dogs and my kids. I live in New New york. 60 miles north of the city..

Thanks
Tom

Stonehenge · 03-25-2009, 03:07 PM

Hi Tom,

You only need to post this once.

As for your lawn - if the dogs are tearing it up, there is a solution to that... but your dogs probably won't like it...

As for if it's the soil - go to your county extension office and ask about having a soil sample analyzed - they'll be able to tell you what your soil has and doesn't have and can then suggest a remedy.

But if you have all shade, there's only one remedy for that and it involves a chain saw.

Streamline · 11-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Tom,

If you have a piece of paper and pencil hand make a list or things you have and their importance to you.

Tree, dogs, kids and grass.

Just guessing the kids will be at the top of the list, so they dont go

if you value the turf over the tree i would recomend removal of the tree for the sake of the turf.,

our experience has been turf that has more sunlight is stronger than that of shade. As an option you could plant a small understory tree in the back as well to still give you some "height" to your lawn.

Note on the dogs: To help keep the turf strong train the dogs to "go" in a designated area. keeping the high nitrogen level from their pee out of your lawn will reduce brown spots.

Best of luck!

Jason

Kansas City landscaping · 11-04-2009, 07:54 AM

I agree - Dogs and Shade is one mix that is very hard to overcome. Can you design it so that the shaded area becomes a shrub bed?

The cycle of new lawn planting you describe is very common for shaded areas The lawn thrive in Falla and Spring when light and moisture are easier to get under the canopy of big trees -- but they will always begin to die off about mid- June.