Back yard lawn

We recently moved to an apartment with a fairly large back yard. There is a spot about 20 x 25 that at one time might have been covered with grass, but seems to be all dirt now. I don’t want to spend $500 to sod it. Is there a cheaper alternative to get something to grow there? Does seeding work in Brooklyn? If I water it, will weeds at least start to grow? (I have no gardening experience – apologies if these are ridiculous questions.)

bbhues

in Garden 11 years and 3 months ago

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Guest User | 11 years and 3 months ago

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There’s a new column on Brownstoner called Dirt. It’s all about gardening. You could post your question there. The woman writing the column responds very quickly. And from a “green” standpoint, lawns require an incredible amount of water and upkeep to keep them nice/healthy. You may consider an alternative to grass (and I don’t mean concrete, but some other type of ground cover/plants/shrubs), but I too am new to gardening, so I’m just learning myself.

bbhues | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Thank you all for the replies! I plan on getting seed at home depot this weekend.

BobMarvin | 11 years and 3 months ago

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.What the previous replyers said is fine IF you hmy nin ave lots of sun. I planted grass successfully in my less sunny north garden for years, but as the trees in my yard, and my neighbors, grew it became more sparce, and disappeared by late summer. About four years ago I pulled up what was left of my lawn, gave my push lawn mower away, and put down landscape cloth, covered by cedar mulch. It looks great and only needs more more mulch every couple of years.

timber | 11 years and 3 months ago

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We attached a sprinkler and a timer on our hose and it basically took care of itself

williamsburgguys | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Actually, Timber, the mix I got with the rye and bluegrass also had fescue in it as well. It was a 3 blend “northeastern” mix come to think of it. And yes, it came up quickly that first year and the 2nd year was very thick and comfy like carpet. Of course I am out there every other day all summer long yanking up the slightest leaf that doesn’t match. No weeds allowed. It’s not a lot of work in a 20 x 20 yard if you keep it up. I feel downright suburban out there with my mini-mower and 8″ leaf rake sweeping up the clippings and leaves that blow over.

timber | 11 years and 3 months ago

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We planted fescue grass seed in the backyard last fall. It was recommended by someone at the Chelsea Garden Center. It grew quite fast and within just 2 or 3 weeks looked really lovely. The whole process was quite easy. It does need to be watered almost daily for the first few weeks. I think we bought the seed at Home Depot (could have been Lowes)

williamsburgguys | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Seeds work fine in Brooklyn. First rake (edit – using a garden rake with the thick iron tines) the soil to loosen it up and remove any debris and aerate the soil, then simply sow seeds quite heavily using a nice northeastern seed mix you can get a Lowes or Home Depot – a Kentucky Bluegrass and perennial rye mix work great here. You’ll probably need that large 30-40 pound bag. Cover the soil really well until all you can see are seeds, then rake the seeds into the already raked soil, water thoroughly, and then water every other day until you see them sprout and take hold. Then water once or twice a week after that. I have a luscious thick back lawn at my house that would rival any southern golf course and I did it all by seed a couple years ago. After the first year, once the roots have set, it will keep coming back and then all you need is a good fertilizer to keep it nice and green. Don’t forget however, you will need a lawn mower 🙂 I bought a non motorized reel-type at Home depot and takes me all of 5 minutes to mow my 20 x 20 lawn. Love walking barefoot in my back yard during the summer. Reminds me of my previous life in suburbia.