Sodding North of Atlanta, question for all

kennesawgrass – posted 20 March 2005 10:04

I purchased my home 2 years ago, and we are finally getting to the back yard. I have a 2 year old and another on the way due in June. We are planning on sodding it if the current Fescue seed we had put down does not take. However, I have a few questions before we get to work.

The landscaping company that came out and did the terracing, drainage (was a nightmare before it was fixed), grading etc had suggested doing Fescue. Being that I am in Kennesaw (a little north of Marietta) I am a bit concerned that the Fescue will not handle the heat that we still get during the summer months. However, my hands may be tied due to the fact that the backyard is mostly in the shade from early afternoon until the sun goes down.

My other options are

Zoysia : (looking to be a bit too expensive since we plan on laying sod)…but how well will this deal with being in the shade?

Centipede : again with the shade issue, also I understand that Centipede does not stand up to foot traffic very well.

St Augistine : Will this even take in Atlanta? Shade again.

Bermuda : No go with the shade.

From reading here, it looks like my hands are a bit tied with the shade issue. I have a neighbor who owns a landscaping company and his Fescue backyard looks great, but exactly how much work is involved in keeping it up during the summer months. If its simply watering / cutting / overseeding in the fall, that doesn’t sound too rough.

Thanks for any input.

Michael C – posted 21 March 2005 10:32

I have Tall Fescue in my backyard and it does well because of the shade. I overseed each fall and does well.

Michael C – posted 21 March 2005 10:33

I forgot to mention that I live near Marietta as well.

ted – posted 21 March 2005 11:59

tall fescue is your choice. all of the other grasses, except bermuda, won’t work as well. the key to keeping the fescue during the summer (after fungus season) is water, water, water.don’t forget to mow on your highest setting. tons of tall fescue lawns in atlanta.

bwmaier – posted 22 March 2005 18:07

Kennesawgrass:

I live down the road from you near Hiram in Paulding Co. My soil, as everyone in GA knows, is red clay. My front yard is bermuda, fescue in the back yard. Plant some of the Pennington Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue in the fall (late September) and lime and fertilize it with a starter fertilizer. You’ll want to water it (keep it from drying out) for the first couple or few weeks to get it established. Anywhere you currently see the ground will probably require tilling or breaking up. You can try this now, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as doing so in the fall allows the roots time to get established for the summer heat. Ted hit the nail on the head about watering in the summer and mowing high. Don’t fertilize the grass in the summer either. Only do so in the spring and fall. From my experiences, it will usually thin out in the summer (i’m not good about watering it much in the summer). Overseed it each fall. Good luck.

ted – posted 23 March 2005 19:51

i think he’s got it! yeah, the K-31 would be an outstanding choice in your area. forgot to mention that, with all of the popularity of the turf type tall fescues- K-31 is tough as nails.