Comments on: Keep my lawn healthy, and dogs not dirty and smelly

Question: Keep my lawn healthy, and dogs not dirty and smelly

cmiller — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:25:26 -0800

Here in sunny Florida, my two large dogs tend to wear my back lawn down to the dirt. Is there a grass that recovers easily?

I have sprinklers, and slightly sandy soil. It's rarely cold enough to frost. My current lawn is (I think) centipede grass.

My dogs aren't out much, but when they are, they trample and scamper about enough that there's soon more brown dirt than green lawn. I want something that doesn't require a lot of effort to keep green. Bonus points if my dogs smell nice after they roll around in it.

Do I have to find a geneticist to splice kudzu genes and spearmint genes into ryegrass?

By: BitterOldPunk

BitterOldPunk — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:50:35 -0800

I would try zoysia. It's thirsty, though.

But I'm afraid there's no perfect cure.

By: COD

COD — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:16:41 -0800

Bermuda grass will take the abuse from your dogs just fine. Only question would be if it will grow well in your soil. Your county extension office can probably answer that question for you.

By: oneirodynia

oneirodynia — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:32:09 -0800

Bermuda or Zoysia are both deep rooted, and are probably your best bet. You can overplant Bermuda with ryegrass, to keep your lawn green in winter. Check with your county extension about invasive issues- Bermuda grass is a nightmare here in the Bay Area.

By: Ostara

Ostara — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:25:35 -0800

Bermuda grass is very invasive and it seems like nothing will kill it. I would try that if nothing else will grow. I tried to kill it in my yard, even spraying patches of it with RoundUp. If it can survive that, it should be able to survive your dogs. Bermuda grass also likes sandy soil.

Other grass alternatives:
Yarrow (there are tall and short varieties of this, get the short varieties)
Mondo Grass or Lily Turf
Blue rug junipers

By: that girl

that girl — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:07:41 -0800

Bermuda grass will almost certainly take over your back yard happily. I grew up in Tampa, which really has a similar enough climate, and it was what most of our front lawn was made out of. It kind of crinkles down when you step on it, but isn't the softest grass in the world.

However, it will probably turn brown whenever it's dry out. It won't die, but it'll not be green.

By: Robert Angelo

Robert Angelo — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:08:22 -0800

The typical grass used in hot, wet Gulf Coast climates is St. Augustine -- it's even named for a city in Florida. We also use it a lot here in SE Texas. It is very sturdy and dog-resistant and holds up well in the hot summers. Your best best, of course, is to ask your local nursery people what would grow best in your area.