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Muddy Lawn?
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Posted by lostinit 7b (My Page) on Thu, Dec 17, 09 at 14:14
| So We get a lot of rain here but I have noticed a very bad lawn, mostly close to the house. My first thought is that the lawn is water logged. I noticed areas that have a lot of mud mixed with some grass and others that have some moss and slushiness. It is almost like walking on a sponge in some areas. I want to know the best way to work on this lawn step by step. I have never cared for a lawn before and I know it will be a lot of work to kick start it.
What do I need to do in spring? Do I need to first fix the landscape/watershed issue? Core Aereate and then possibly seed?
Do I need to also get some organic mulch/fertilizer? What do you recommend? Do I even need to bother with testing soil pH and calcium? What's a good primer for this, particularly lawns in the northwest?
Thank You. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Muddy Lawn?
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| 1. Is the area too shady? Will trees need to be cut or thinned out? 2. Is this water runoff? If so, you must regrade a bit so you don't lose any seed later. 3. Any moss must be completely removed. 4. Buy some distilled water. Mix in some topsoil and test pH with a swimming pool test kit. 5. Once the lighting and runoff has been addressed, you can start seeding. Be sure what type of turf you have there already. |
RE: Muddy Lawn?
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| It sounds like your house might be a low spot in the yard. If so you should have a few professional landscapers look at it. They will be able to tell you how much more soil you need or need to have removed. It is almost always the case in an older home that you need to have soil removed to get your drainage corrected. Moisture build up near the house can ruin the house so this needs to be addressed. If they remove the soil, then you have a lot of other things to worry about. Then it becomes a do-over landscaping job. |
RE: Muddy Lawn?
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| I put in french drains and hooked my rain gutters into the drains. Things are much better now. But it is a lot of work! |
RE: Muddy Lawn?
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What might happen if you just raise the portion that seems to collect water and while you're at it, incorporate some organic matter into what soil you add.
At this time you would look at the drainage issue, level where it might be needed and fill in depressions.
If the area is high traffic, you can expect it to be compacted. If possible, then you have an excuse to do some aerating. |
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