any help is appreciated, in GA.

newguy – posted 07 March 2003 21:07

Hello, Im new to this forum. I just moved to newnan georgia from metro detroit area in michigan. I only have experience with the kentucky blue grass mix that everyone uses in michigan. My problem is, I just bought a house that has a heavily wooded back yard (the wonderful shedding pines). Right now the front and back yard are nothing but dirt (or mud when it rains). I purchased a bagger for my riding mower to keep the pine needles from smothering the grass. I am not looking for a golf course turf, or anything that is perfect. I just want something that will withstand some shade, and keep the yard from being a mudhole when it rains. I am not planning on having grass in the entire back yard, just the area close to the house where it sees some sun throughout the day. I cant afford to sod, so I was just wanting to seed instead. What can I use to loosen up the soil so seeding will take better. I was thinking of going over it with a pull behind aerator, will that work. Also, when is the earliest I can start seeding here. Im not used to the warm weather so early in the year, normally its 10 degrees outside. Thanks for any help, Mike

ted – posted 07 March 2003 21:17

you’re probably looking at sodding bermuda or zoysia. if you don’t want to sod, then you can seed bermuda later in the spring, but it’s slow to establish. you might want to check with local chemical lawn care companies but i think you’re a little hot for tall fescue, but it probably would work- but it ‘s still too early to seed.

newguy – posted 07 March 2003 21:36

Are these grasses you mentioned available in seed. Im not sure about the prices down here, but it cost me about $500.00 to sod my small city lot (front and back) in michigan (and thats me picking up the sod and installing myself). It would cost me an arm and leg to sod my front and back yard here. I guess I should also mention that I have two dogs. One is a lab rott mix, and the other is a little mutt. My back yard is about 3/4 acre big, so they have alot of room to run, and Im only wanting grass about 50 feet off the back of the house.

sodbuster7 – posted 08 March 2003 15:49

I live about 15-20 miles from your area and if you have full sun then plant bermuda from seed. You could probably do it for $200-$300. It won’t grow in the shade. I wouldn’t take up the pine straw since it will provide a barrier to the mud your dogs may generate. I believe you need a night time temperature of 70 degrees to get it going well. Just water it a lot.

newguy – posted 08 March 2003 19:50

The grass would see some sun off and on as it passed through the pines throughout the day. The front yard is about the same, but with a little more sun. I plan on leaving the pine needles on the ground from the tree line back, but I dont see how a lawn would survive with them on it by the house. If I do end up seeding, what would work to loosen up the soil enough for seed to take. I dont want to rotortill the entire yard. Would one of those spike pull behind aeretors work if I went over it alot.

ted – posted 08 March 2003 20:11

just wait til it gets warmer. you’re not there yet, you could rent an aerator and do it. you need to use the correct amount of seed stated on the seed label- make sure it has a fresh, recent test date on it. then use straw or something to use as a mulch on top of it. bermuda is slow to germinate , but sounds like a reasonable solution to your problem- keep the dogs off during germination- water lightly 2-3 times a day until the grass has grown up high enough to mow. you probably need to call a local chemical lawn care company to see other details for your particular lawn, etc.

newguy – posted 08 March 2003 20:27

So I take it that bermuda will be o.k. in my case. Do you know how much companies charge for spraying down seed (hydroseed), and do they only spray certain types of seeds. I imagine that it would be cheaper than sodding, but how much. And as far as normal seeding goes, where should I buy my seed from. Sorry for the million questions, but this is all new to me. Ive layed sod before, but Ive never seeded. Thanks again, Mike

George777 – posted 09 March 2003 19:34

If you don’t get about 6 hours of direct sunlight I would not waist the money with bermuda. it does not do well in shade. It might for a while but over time you will see it thin out and decline and then weeds will attack in full force. How many hours of sunlight does the area get? Zoysia is a better shade tollerant plant. Call your local county extension agent and talk to him for what to plant in your situation.

sodbuster7 – posted 10 March 2003 18:41

Do make sure you get plenty of sunlight because it won’t do well without proper sunlight. I was assuming you were getting full sun in the front. You can call Wrights Hydroseeding in Fayetteville, GA for hydroseed pricing. From what I remember, hydroseeding was between $500 and $700 for 10,000 square feet.

redbird – posted 25 April 2003 06:48

Again, I am no expert, but I can tell you this – DO NOT PLANT BERMUDA. It will thin and die out in any significant shade. Also, although I personally feel that common bermuda makes a nice lawn, it must be mowed at least every 3-4 days during peak growth. The new zoysia cultivar (Zenith) can be seeded and it is supposed to be good for moderate shade. I don’t know if any of the cool season grasses (which are great with shade) such as fescues will take your summer heat/drought.

I can tell you this – hydro-seeding or hydro-mulching is great (each is a variation on the level of pulp/paper/cellulose utilized in the mix). But – my experience is that it does better if you maintain a very rigorous (tedious/intense) watering schule prior to germination.

Why don’t you call several contractors in your area – find out what they are putting down that works.

Mike

owen – posted 21 April 2005 08:08

i am interested in your conclusion to this, can you post it?