Doing a job that big, I'd wait for fall to seed. Probably not what you want to hear.

We can't wait because the brick on our house will be covered in mud and, since it's hand-made sand-faced brick we really need grass around the house. As it stands, the house is about to be surrounding by a lake of mud when it decides to stop snowing and start raining here.

Why is it so much better to wait until the fall? Can you comment on a seed option for us? Is this something my husband, with no landscape experience, can do on his own?

A major problem with spring seeding is that the grass doesn't have time to develope a strong root system before the heat of summer. Reduced drought tolerance and increased susceptability to disease. You might want to consider sod for a "yard" around the home and a fescue seeding in the fall for the rest of the acerage.

A major problem with spring seeding is that the grass doesn't have time to develope a strong root system before the heat of summer. Reduced drought tolerance and increased susceptability to disease. You might want to consider sod for a "yard" around the home and a fescue seeding in the fall for the rest of the acerage.

Go ahead and seed enough area immediately around the house with fesque, perennial rye, blue grass, microclover or (most probably) a mix to ensure you won't have a mudpit. Also buy a small amount of the other types that you don't plant around the house. Consult your local lawn and garden center or county/state extension agency first to see what they would recommend. If you are around Cleveland, there is a lot of information on the Web about NE Ohio specific mixtures.

Plant the "other types" in specific areas to see how they grow over Summer (they will also have to be cold tolerant, but you will have to rely on the "experts" for this informatiion).

Depending on what does best, plan on seeding and/or overseeding in the Fall.

Just some thought.--Carl

Atlanta, GA (formerly near Buffalo, NY)

This all depends on how much work you want to put in and if you have an irrigation system or not. (BTW I also live in NE Ohio)

Unlike 10+ years ago, a top rated Turf Type Fescue Mix can be very soft, pretty fine, and a great dark green lawn. The benefits would be that it will take less fertilizer, less water, and it will be more drought tolerant. It will typically stay greener longer in mid summer heat compared to a KBG that will quickly go dormant. If a irrigation system is in place, this is less important.

A top rated Kentucky Blue Grass mix will be the ultimate "soft & lush" dark green lawn, but it will need lots of water & fertilizer to keep it that way.

The other differences, sometimes debatable, is that the TTTF should be cut fairly higher then the KBG.

If you do not have an irrigation system, on that much property, I wouldn't consider a KBG and go with the TTTF. If you don't have an irrigation system, and don't plan on watering regularly, I would def. go with the TTTF but don't expect to have that perfect lawn you describe.

...I would also recommend organic fertilizer.

Anyway, here locally, I get my seed from Gales Garden Center who carries Oliger Seed Company out of Akron.

http://www.oligerseed.com/products/lawn-seeds/

I would recommend the "Fescue Plus" for a TTTF or either the "Best of the Blues" or "Fresh Start" for a KBG.

I like lawns but in my opinion, 2.5 acres of grass is boring. Why not landscape up against the house? Grass up against a house is really boring (and I have such a house).

For the immediate future, find someone doing tree trimming and have him dump an entire load of chipped/shredded trees up by your house. Spread that out to hold down the mud. Worst case is your house gets muddy and you have to rent a pressure washer to clean it. That happens all the time, but a deep layer of mulch will solve it for you. 5 inches is not too deep.

And start looking at Better Homes and Gardens for alternatives to all that grass. Here are some suggestions.

arbors (for vines)
bamboo
bee keeping
butterfly garden
decks
edibles (veggies)
fences
fountains
fragrance garden
gazebo
greenhouse
hedges
herb garden
hot tubs
hummingbird garden
Japanese garden
moon garden (plants and lights for night time viewing)
orchard
other groundcovers
out buildings (like sheds)
outdoor theater
parcours (exercise stations)
patios
ponds
pools
putting green
rock garden
rolling hills
rose garden
sitting or reading area
statuary
topiary
tulip garden
walkway
walls
wildflowers
Zen garden