Grass

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

Not sure this is the most "hyperlocal" question ever, but I'm looking into re-planting my apartment's back yard. Specifically, I'm curious if anyone has a suggestion for a good species of grass seed for a Somerville back yard (pretty small area, not the greatest direct light, northern climate, etc) that doesn't completely break the budget, when to plant, and any other tips on the subject. Thanks!

Comments

[403.livejournal.com]

Short white clover. Depending on your height preferences, it might not even need mowing.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

No input on the type of grass, but it will be well worth the $10 to have the soil tested by UMass Extension Services. http://www.umass.edu/soiltest/ You will get a printed report with recommendations on what the soil needs for grass to succeed.

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

I spent a lot of time & money planting a lawn in a shady backyard only to have it fade away over the next few years. A landscape architect taught me grass needs sun to thrive. If you don't want to pay a pro, try the Somerville Garden Club. The UMASS Extension Service also has a lot of good info in addition to soil tests mentioned above. A patio & perennial border garden is less upkeep, IMHO.

http://extension.umass.edu/
http://www.somervillegardenclub.org/

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Yep, the soil testing is well worth it. But if you don't own the property I would keep the results to yourself. If the soil test shows high lead levels, etc., the owner might then be obligated to remediate, and s/he might then say you didn't have the right to test the soil. S/he would probably be right. Environmental health law is strange - based often on don't ask/don't tell.

If you do own the property, its a good idea, but be prepared for the same issue. If there are nasty stuff in the soil you might technically be obligated to clean it up.

You might be able to avoid this issue entirely if the testing is only for nutrients, etc., and not for toxics.

As for your main question, I second the comment about grass needing light. But also, if you have any trees nearby, some trees are very aggressive in terms of driving other plants out. For example, I have heard that Norway Maples actively poison other plants with their roots. That's my excuse for having a lousy lawn.

[smammy]

My cynical advice is: unless you own the property, don't bother. Making a lawn grow right is nontrivial. You might not succeed. Or, you might succeed after great effort and then have to move. (Can you tell this happend to me?)

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not planning to go crazy either on the budget or labor allotment for this project, but I would like to have an outdoors that's not overrun by flies that we can sit in this summer. I've done some calculations and I think I can get something serviceable going for under $100.

[enveri.livejournal.com]

I'm planning on going to Mahoney's, telling them I'm an utter noob, and ask for advice directly.

A friend that has an amazing green thumb swears by them, and since I'm in a rental, I'm looking at container gardening that I can take with me.