Grass in Backyard

Rehab was 100% correct. We tried sod twice. Even though we face south, we had bad enough light due to neighbor's trees/so-so drainage/soil high in clay -- we were doomed. We grew brick instead and never regretted it.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 8:34 AM

I think it depends on a lot of things. I'm facing north and have had no problem with grass.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 8:50 AM

I seeded my south facing yard and am very happy with the results. Some areas do not get the best light so I reseeded and it eventually took .I may have overdone the prep and that was a lot of work, digging down at least 12 inches throughout removing any roots, stones, bricks etc. The bag of seed cost less than $20, also the seed needs to be kept damp to get the roots started. It’s been three years now and I enjoy mowing the lawn every weekend, how suburban. My recommendation, go for it.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 9:40 AM

There are many no-mow grasses and plenty of groundcovers that will grow well in shade. Classic suburban lawn grass, however, is a lost cause under a tree even in the suburbs.

Check out the Botanic Gardens resources (bbg.org). They have a free call in line for advice. They are pros and are very helpful. They will help advize on what to try and help find an online/mail-order source. You can also ask for a recommendation for a garden designer who can help give you ideas or actually draw up a full design and ut it in place.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 11:20 AM

This is exactly what I'm pondering right now too. We have some cement at the back of the house going about 10 feet out, then a gravel patio with walkways and bordered slightly raised flowerbeds, then a cement border just beyond that, and the back 1/3 of the yard is the "garden". I've been planting shrubs, and planning more Spring planting for the flowerbed areas, and there will be a small square in the middle where I wanted grass.

I disagree it's not worth it for mowing to have only 150 square feet of grass. There are eco-friendly push mowers that are perfect for a small space and that's what I would use. Also as someone said there are grasses that don't grow tall. Grass absorbs many times the water than any other surface, plus it's proven to absorb noise very effectively, so it's my preference. However I worry we don't get enough sunlight. It gets direct sun but it might not be for a min. of 5 hours in the day. I would love to hear more suggestions of plant alternatives to grass, like the ground covers that will grow in partial shade and will take foot traffic.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 12:24 PM

Sunlight is not enough - it needs water and not during the day under direct sunlight-better time is during early mornings and evenings.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 1:54 PM

Try gardeners.com for a light meter that you can put out and get a measurement of hours of sun/day. Remember that this will vary with time of year.

Try stepables.com for ideas for groundcovers.

The garden is the whole point of owning a brownstone, isn't it? Remember one thing and you'll be fine: it's just a plant, it's ok if it dies, just buy another.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 3:05 PM

You must love lots of runoff and noise too, Rehab.

And by the way, why doesn't preservation extend to the garden? Since you are a preservationist. The Victorians didn't have all-concrete backyards. In fact, there is a whole area of research and study that's done on gardens as they looked in specific historic eras.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 3:28 PM

Can you see grass in any of your neighbors yards? If so ask what they used. Whatever they used will probably take a while and constant watering to get it nice and plush. I use rainwater which I collect in barrels attached to my downspouts for garden water and the push mower is an excellent idea. Just keep the blades sharp or you'll hack up the grass.

Posted by: guest at February 20, 2008 11:36 PM

For me, it's the noise issue. If you are sitting in your backyard and you have no grass under you or even near you, your neighbors will hear EVERY word you say. Believe it. Which means you never get to talk about them! Ha.

But seriously, whenever I've sat in friends' all-concrete backyards I feel really self-conscious knowing everyone can hear us. It's just not fun.

Also concrete is dirty and nasty somehow. It's just as much of not more effort to hose off the concrete as it is to push a little push-mower around a patch of grass. I also have no objection to yard work. I get the best exercise doing yard work and burn off weight.

Posted by: guest at February 21, 2008 1:32 PM

Please Don't Plant a Lawn! There are lots of alternatives that are far more eco-friendly and less maintenance in the long run.
There are Meadow Grasses, available from native nurseries in plugs: http://www.citydirt.net/city_dirt/replace_the_lawn_with_native_m_1.html

You can also use groundcovers that won't need to be mowed and can be walked on. (info. also available on www.citydirt.net)

In the Northeast try:

Kinnickinnick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis

Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea

Partridgeberry, Mitchella repens

Twinflower, Linnaea borealis

Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense

Wild Stonecrop, Sedum ternatum

Wild Strawberry, Fragraria virginiana

Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens

Wood Anemone, Anemone canadensis

Posted by: guest at March 2, 2008 10:42 AM