Need help with a new lawn

[EmmyJane]

Hi WSBers. I need new grass but don’t know 1) what type of sod to get, 2) what time of year to plant it, and 3) where to buy it.

Anyone have insight?

Also, has anyone out there made a patio out of slate? I saw on HGTV these 12×12 slate tiles that click together over a concrete slab, but I’m wondering if anyone has actually done it.

Finally, we’re going to have a greenhouse to give away one of these days if anyone wants it. We’ll help with pulling off the house and disconnecting the electricity, but you have to haul.

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[jwws]

EmmyJane,

Before we got rid of our lawn altogether we used to re-sod 2 or 3 times a year (due to 2 large dogs that tore up lawn/killed it with urine). We always got our sod from JB Lawn in Woodinville (they will deliver the sod). They can probably answer all your other lawn questions as well.

Don’t know about the slate tiles that you mention but you may want to check out Pavingstone Supply (they are in Ballard and also have a website) – they have a variety of stone products including Abbotsford interlocking pavers. We put in a Pennsylvania bluestone patio a couple of years ago over our existing old concrete patio – need to be mindful of sloping and drainage when you do this, especially if the patio is up against the house. We mortared and grouted however (and it’s a lot of work!).

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[MargL]

ooh ooh how big is the greenhouse?

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[EmmyJane]

Greenhouse is big… probably 10 feet wide (against house) and 8 feet long. I can email you pictures or you’re welcome to look at it. It attaches to the house, has counter space, a fan, I think a heater, and some spiders.

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[MargL]

ah – too big for the space I have. Thanks!

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[miws]

C’mon MargL, ‘fess up.

The spiders were a deal breaker. ;-)

Mike

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[Aim]

EmmyJane: Easier than re-sodding is overseeding. Just pick up some grass seed at McLendon’s – they will have varieties that grow well in this area – and a spreader. Total will be around $30. Run the spreader over the area that’s bare, and in 4 weeks or so you’ll have grass. Also, Miracle Gro’s “Lawn Food” works wonders. We moved into a place with a very patchy lawn and piles of beauty bark around, and our lawn is filling in with this method.

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[dawsonct]

You may not want to wait, but around here the best time to re-seed is in the Fall, Sept. to mid-Oct. You then get a full Winter of free lawn-watering during the very crucial root growing stage. It will be strong enough to mow right away in the Spring. You also won’t have to tear out your old lawn.

Also, if you keep it long enough (2-3 in.) it will choke out most weeds, so you won’t be tempted to use weed & feed, which is horrible for our environment. Remember to leave the grass clippings!

Wish I could take that greenhouse. I’ll see if I can talk my LL in to it.

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[EmmyJane]

Our whole lawn is overgrown with moss, so I just want to scrape it off and start with a new pretty lawn. And there is some leveling that needs to be done… I’m sort of that instant gratification type. :-)

Hopefully someone in West Seattle will want the greenhouse. I don’t like to associate with those outside the island if I don’t have to. :-) JK.

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[grounds4hounds]

I would be very interested in the greenhouse. Can you post or email a picture?

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[dawsonct]

Moss is green!

If that part of your yard is good for growing moss it may be MUCH less so for growing grass. Probably have drainage and sunlight issues in that part of the yard?

The gardening show on AM 1090, Saturdays 10 A.M.-12, is really good, and he seems to field (har, har) lawn questions a couple of times each week.

I’m certain the turf companies can give plenty of suggestions for your dilemma, but ultimately their goal is to sell you more turf, so, you know, caveat emptor.

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[westwoodmom]

I might also be interested in that greenhouse, you can contact me at 206.260.2871 (it’s a voicemail, since no pm only one I have no issue with posting here)

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[EmmyJane]

Grounds4Hounds- Do you have an email? Your link won’t work. I took some pics but don’t know how to post them here, but I can email them!

Westwoodmom- I’ll give you a ring if Grounds4Hounds doesn’t want it.

Dawson- you are completely right… its shaded and on a slope. I’ll try out the gardening show and see if I can get any advice!

Thanks everyone!

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[grounds4hounds]

Still very interested in the green house

http://www.grounds4hounds.com

scotty40@me.com

thanks

scott

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[ws4ever]

Master Gardener/WSU extension has great articles. Yep, with moss likely there’s too much shade for grass and depleted soil as well as decreased drainage. Thought of thinning/windowing (not topping) trees to get more light to ground? Is soil old, depleted?

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[dawsonct]

Maybe terracing with drainage and new dirt? It would be easier to mow.

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[anonyme]

My first recommendation would be DON’T PLANT A LAWN. Plant something more eco-friendly, easy maintenance, with low water usage. If you absolutely must have a lawn, consider eco-turf. Not as formal looking, but far more practical.

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[EmmyJane]

Anonyme- I’m the first to admit I know nothing about gardening/lawns. That being said, we were planning to put bark in a lot of our yard- is that eco-friendly? I’m open to other options, especially now that I know grass isn’t likely to grow in a big portion of the yard.

WS4Ever- Not sure how old the soil is… in general, the back yard is beautiful and this early spring has brought tons of surprises. Before we moved in the house was vacant for a year though so there was no yard work done during that time. We took out 650 gallons of leaves our first couple weeks here and so I don’t think the grass had much of a chance under that. And yes, we’re taking out and trimming trees (there are over 20 in our yard!!!)

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[dawsonct]

Sounds like quite the forest!

Here’s another idea instead of combating the moss: make a moss garden! Do a little regrading in the area, put a little pathway meandering through the sight, and put in a little tile pad for a table and a couple of chairs. Add some boulders and a few rhododendrons, ferns, maybe a little fountain, plants that do well in the shade and in acidic soil (you have moss, your soil is acidic), which include huckleberry and blueberries, by the way.

Then when you have the hard surfaces where you want them, start collecting moss. Any time you see a type of moss you like, take a little piece. It won’t matter if it dries out, it will still be viable. When you get home, crumble the moss into a blender and make a slurry with buttermilk. Take the slurry into your garden, and with a paintbrush, start spreading it on any surface where you want that particular moss to grow. Doesn’t take long for it to get established and it is obviously fairly easy to move at your whim.

You may even be able to inoculate it with spores from edible mushroom.

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It’s also very drought resistant stuff, very low maintenance, and as you can see above, wouldn’t take much effort to create a really cool native garden and people will think you are another Ed Hume or Cisco Morris.

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The point is, sometimes it is just easier to do what Ma Nature wants us to do.

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[thansen]

We re-did our grasslast summer and used JB Sod in Woodinville. It was so inexpensive! For 700 sqft it cost $200. The sodwas good, some pieces were better than others. If you return the pallets you get a refund

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[MargL]

I know it’s not West Seattle but I saw a post on another neighborhood site that

a program called South Park Fresh Starts associated with the Providence Regina House in South Park is looking for a greenhouse…

Contact info person is Paige Collins 206-763-9204.

And they have a Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76925711909

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