Can anyone help me get good grass fast?
April 13, 2018 8:39 AM Subscribe
I need to fix or resod a piece of lawn in the next six weeks and don't know which way to go.
Our house sits on a house pretty much in the woods. But we have a small lawn area (call it 30' x 60') that has had a brutal winter. It wasn't the greatest lawn in the first place ... think a combination of grass, sedge and clover, but serviceable. But first, workers replanking our deck in Jan and Feb trampled half of it into mud. Then the cold temps well into spring prohibited us from doing anything about it. Normally, none of this would be a big deal for us. But now, we're hosting a Somewhat Special Outdoor Event (SSOE) on May 2 and something has to be speedily done. I'm convinced that if I attack it this weekend and stay diligent, six weeks will be just enough time to get a nice green swath back. My wife thinks we should just get someone in and resod it. I'm worried that by time we get some folks out to look at it, quote the job, scrape the yard and roll out the sod it will be too late (and expensive) and be just as good as if I tilled it, hit it with seed and fertilizer and optimally watered it. Since I have no idea how long either of those would take, and if either will sufficiently knit together by the time of SSOE, I'm throwing myself on the hive mind. What would you do? And bonus points for telling me the most effective way to proceed if I do it myself. Thanks. The SSOE is just around the corner.
Our house sits on a house pretty much in the woods. But we have a small lawn area (call it 30' x 60') that has had a brutal winter. It wasn't the greatest lawn in the first place ... think a combination of grass, sedge and clover, but serviceable. But first, workers replanking our deck in Jan and Feb trampled half of it into mud. Then the cold temps well into spring prohibited us from doing anything about it. Normally, none of this would be a big deal for us. But now, we're hosting a Somewhat Special Outdoor Event (SSOE) on May 2 and something has to be speedily done. I'm convinced that if I attack it this weekend and stay diligent, six weeks will be just enough time to get a nice green swath back. My wife thinks we should just get someone in and resod it. I'm worried that by time we get some folks out to look at it, quote the job, scrape the yard and roll out the sod it will be too late (and expensive) and be just as good as if I tilled it, hit it with seed and fertilizer and optimally watered it. Since I have no idea how long either of those would take, and if either will sufficiently knit together by the time of SSOE, I'm throwing myself on the hive mind. What would you do? And bonus points for telling me the most effective way to proceed if I do it myself. Thanks. The SSOE is just around the corner.
Where do you live?
posted by raccoon409 at 9:53 AM on April 13, 2018
posted by raccoon409 at 9:53 AM on April 13, 2018
You could also just buy a couple of bags of mulch (or an indoor-outdoor carpet, for that matter) to cover up the mud temporarily and do a real fix after your event. This will work regardless of the weather or the time until the event.
posted by mskyle at 10:03 AM on April 13, 2018
posted by mskyle at 10:03 AM on April 13, 2018
Response by poster: Ah shoot. Yes, I meant June 2nd for the event. And I live in SE Pennsylvania.
posted by lpsguy at 11:27 AM on April 13, 2018
posted by lpsguy at 11:27 AM on April 13, 2018
Talk to the guy at the grass seed store. In a tough case like this, try a nursery rather than a hardware store.
There is what's euphemistically called "contractor's" grass seed which is quick to germinate and quick to grow. Possibly also, quick to die. Its not wonderfully grass but it's green. Usually rye, I think.
The better sorts of grass can take as long as 6 weeks to germinate.
posted by SemiSalt at 12:14 PM on April 13, 2018
There is what's euphemistically called "contractor's" grass seed which is quick to germinate and quick to grow. Possibly also, quick to die. Its not wonderfully grass but it's green. Usually rye, I think.
The better sorts of grass can take as long as 6 weeks to germinate.
posted by SemiSalt at 12:14 PM on April 13, 2018
Some quick searching indicates that you're going to need consistent daytime temperatures of 60 - 75F for at least a week in order to get grass seed to merely germinate at this time of the year, which seems kind of optimistic with the weather we've had in North America. From there, new grass takes a while to really thicken up. I don't think I'd count on it working out.
It's also worth noting that if you have any sort of hill or if your yard isn't very level, even with watering sod can kind of slide around for a while before it really settles in as the grass pushes roots through to the soil underneath. I think if you want a guaranteed non-muddy, non-slippery surface, mulching might be a good stopgap.
posted by mikeh at 12:23 PM on April 13, 2018
It's also worth noting that if you have any sort of hill or if your yard isn't very level, even with watering sod can kind of slide around for a while before it really settles in as the grass pushes roots through to the soil underneath. I think if you want a guaranteed non-muddy, non-slippery surface, mulching might be a good stopgap.
posted by mikeh at 12:23 PM on April 13, 2018
Reddi-Green Turf Farms in Evans City, north of Pittsburgh, if that isn't too far, sells sod directly to consumers. It is really heavy though so you probably would need to rent a truck if you don't have one. I would not expect to grow grass over the next 6 weeks to SSOE acceptable level. One June/July after some landscaping work, the destroyed yard did not recover that whole season. You do need to prepare for the sod properly, but at least you know you will have something that can be walked on versus praying for the right weather and growing speed for the next 6 weeks.
posted by RoadScholar at 12:31 PM on April 13, 2018
posted by RoadScholar at 12:31 PM on April 13, 2018
It's 84 °F right now in Philadelphia. Who knows what the weather will hold in the next six weeks. I would try ryegrass seed and if it doesn't work out you can put mulch down the day before.
You can also rent artificial turf.
posted by exogenous at 12:33 PM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
You can also rent artificial turf.
posted by exogenous at 12:33 PM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm going to send you a message with a company suggestion.
posted by sepviva at 7:46 AM on April 14, 2018
posted by sepviva at 7:46 AM on April 14, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mean square error at 8:57 AM on April 13, 2018 [1 favorite]