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March 7, 2007
Grass Back Yards for Brownstones? Possible or not?
I am planning to purchase a brownstone within the next year or so. My family is very intent upon having a back yard that can be laid with true grass for our kids and dog. Most of what I see out there is either concrete covering the entire yard (I'm aware of leakage into basement issues that this helps avoid) or stone work with plantings. I see alot of plain dirt with moss as well. I'm beginning to wonder if it's even possible to have a healthy lawn. The back yard is on the south side of the building i'm looking at now, gets some good light, but certainly not for too many hours. Any help on this issue would help me address this with my family and we thank you in advance!
Comments
We rented a dulpex with exclusive use of the yard in Boreum Hill. My husband made the lawn his personal mission. I all come down to time & money. You figure out what areas get the most sun, dig down to clear out bad soil, bricks etc then lay down a good thick layer of soil and then fertilize and sod. The areas that never see sun & just grow moss we created a patio and a rock garden which I would put my potted peppers & tomatoes on in the summer (move into the sun during the day etc.) It's very possible. Have fun!
Posted by: Anonymous at March 7, 2007 10:34 AM
It's ironic, but we have found that grass is just about the hardest thing to grow in our backyard.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 7, 2007 10:56 AM
Grass is somewhat of a losing battle because of the heavy use and deep shade most brownstone backyards come with. I think its worth it to really watch the sun throughout the day and if you insist on grass, try it out in the sunniest spots. Then plant some hard to kill, shade tolerant plants around the fences where the sun rarely goes...And patio the rest. Walk past all the gorgeous colorful and exotic plants that need full sun and stick to the shade lovers. Ferns work beautifully.
Posted by: Argyle Road at March 7, 2007 11:20 AM
How about artificial turf?. I've seen some really convincing versions that look quite good. In fact the only downside on most versions is that they tend to be shiney when the sun hits them, but if your backyard is mostly shade it might be indistiguishable from the real deal.
Posted by: dan at March 7, 2007 12:20 PM
If you do plant grass, make sure the soil is sandy enough. Most Brooklyn backyards have very clay-like soil which is not hospitable to grass as it compacts when you walk on it.
Posted by: CB at March 7, 2007 12:42 PM
when we bought our townhouse the backyard was just dirt and got fairly good sunlight for a brooklyn backyard. we opted to avoid grass for several reasons, most of them maintenance issues. one of the biggest being mowing. we didn't have space to store a mower, nor did we want to use an edge trimmer or some other smaller option (too much work).
we opted for a wood deck with a raised planting bed for some gardening space. low maintenance, looks great and when we need grass we head to the park.
Posted by: benno at March 7, 2007 1:05 PM
I really appreciate the comments. More would be helpful too. Thanks!
Posted by: Anonymous at March 7, 2007 3:12 PM
It's tough. Last year was my 2nd attempt at laying sod. It has fared a little better than the '05 effort but it's still a struggle. We don't have good drainage -- wish I'd added sand -- nor do we get enough sun. But it's still hanging on (just) and come Spring I will overseed. I have heard people say that growing grass from seed is the better option but sod + over-seeding is also a reasonable approach. Soil preparation is key. Of course you know it needs lots and lots of water when it's hot. Also, research the type of seed you use for over-seeding so that it matches your sun conditions and try to avoid non-local strains. Blue fescue is a good choice. But mostly, good luck!
Posted by: NeoGrec at March 7, 2007 6:54 PM
Grass is certainly doable in a b'stone backyard, especially in a sunny, southern exposure, but it will still require a good deal of work on your part to keep it green and growing. Grass needs plenty of water in summer, and the right fertilizer is important. You must keep up with weeds, as well as ensure that you use the right variety of grass/sod or seed if you're seeding instead of sodding. I've had grass in my sunny backyard for decades, but after having injured my back recently, I'm considering something more low maintenance so I won't have to mow, weed, seed, etc. I would much prefer to keep the grass, but I'm unable to care for it diligently now, and it will be pretty pricey to hire someone to do it on a regular basis.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 8, 2007 10:37 AM
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