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Need advice on lawn seed to use
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Posted by caryinvancouver 8 (My Page) on Sat, Jan 16, 10 at 18:43
| My wife and I have had a continuing problem maintaining a small lawn in our back yard. We live in Vancouver, BC (zone 8), which is pretty damp. The lawn, which is about 12' x 25', is in partial shade, surrounded by shrubs and trees. Unfortunately, drainage is not very good. It has two main functions: to look nice and to provide our dog with toiletry facilities. In the less-rainy parts of the year it is irrigated with an automatic watering system.
Our ryegrass lawn was continually invaded by moss. Two years ago, as an experiment, we removed the lawn and planted clover. That was a disaster. Right now the area is muddy and covered with loosely-attached moss.
I would like to put a lawn back in and need advice on what type of grass seed to use, and what sort of annual treatment regime to employ. Also, how soon could we put it in (it is now January)?
Many thanks for your consideration. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Need advice on lawn seed to use
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| No matter where you live or which grass you use, a lawn, shade and a dog do not mix - especially that small an area with a dog urinating on it. Best would be just to mulch the area. |
RE: Need advice on lawn seed to use
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| I think you're facing a lot of tough obstacles. As Gary said, you may not be able to get much of anything to grow there. I think rye is the most prevalent grass in your area, but another option would be fine fescue. It may handle the shade better. |
RE: Need advice on lawn seed to use
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| I "third" the other two. You might consider going with a deep mulch made from a shredded material. It will be soft on the dog's feet, absorb everything he can give it, should never smell bad, and should never get muddy. By deep I mean at least 5 cm and as much more than that as you can afford. 10 to 15 would be fine. Mulch, being an organic material, will support all the microbes you need to cover the smells of doggie waste materials. |
RE: Need advice on lawn seed to use
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| I think if you take the dog out of the equation poa trivialis or poa supina or a mix of the two would work in your shady damp area. The combination of the dog urine, poop, and activity will make it hard to establish the lawn, and will also take it's toll on a young lawn. If you can establish a lawn one way to minimize urine damage is to spot water the area where your dog urinates right after he does it. |
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