What To Do About Our Lawn

[Gary Brown]

Hi,

Over the past years our lawn has turned to moss and I've been unable to reverse it. I've overseeded, put down lime, fertilizer, and moss killer. We live in Harvard, MA. The lawn is small with trees right up to the edge.

We had three landscapers look at it,

The first was a local landscaper who said there was too much shade (the trees have grown in the almost thirty years we've lived here). He added that a lawn company would offer to replant it for $2300 but would be dead again in a few years.

The second quoted $2200 to replant and promised shade tolerant grass would work.

The third offered much the same but for only $1300.

I'm inclined to believe the first guy but, obviously, don't like that answer.

I'm not sure how to go from here. Any suggestions? I don't want to cut down trees and my wife doesn't want Astroturf. We might be selling in a few years.

Thanks, Gary

[Bill who putters]

And while going Japanese some wind flowers....see video

Bill

And some music

Kinks - I think I'm turning Japanese 3:45 The Kinks

[brooklyn1]

You're lucky... some folks spend a lot of money to grow moss... and you don't have to mow it.

[galyles]

And originally a hit (in the USA and UK) by The Vapors (in 1980) - composed by one of the band members.

[David Hare-Scott]

Why must you have lawn? Do you have small children or sporting people who require a playing surface? There are many other ways to replant a small semi-shaded area that would be more likely to endure in the long run. These would not need mowing, fertilising watering etc as much as a lawn although there is nothing (other than a wilderness) that is maintenance free. I would have thought that any landscaper worth their pay would have suggested this.

David

[Dan L.]

Hmmm...

You have two problems Tree and Shade.

There are some strains of grass are shade tolerant like Fescue. A Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue or Red Fescue strains. Many consider these grass strains an invasive weed. Do it yourself, go with seed, over seeding is a lot cheeper than planting sod.

The tree will also zap the nutrients from the grass as well. So more watering and fertilizing will be needed. Also It depends on the type of tree you have. Some trees produce compounds that just kill off grass and some plants, like the Black Walnut tree. I have not seen too many places in the natural world where grass and trees get along.

You could put a decorative hard edge landscaping border just outside the tree line filled with a colorful mulch (not cheap). Grass on the other side of the boarder. This method is far from maintenance free.

Some Mosses can look just as good as grass. Need less cutting. Personally - I would take this option. It is often best to work with nature than fight nature.

Enjoy Life... Dan

[Phisherman]

Even shade-tolerant grasses may not grow well. The majority of grasses do best in full sun. Some areas of my property are moss, especially under the pine trees--it grows well where regular grass will not. There are other groundcovers to make your landscaping look professional--select those that grow well in your area and conditions. There are a variety of ferns, pachysandra, lily of the valley, etc. that grow well in acidic soils.

[Jean B.]

I love moss. I looked at houses for about three years, including in your town, before I bought one. I walked around the yards and exclaimed in delight when I saw moss and other things besides grass. I also don't believe in fighting nature. Work with the conditions you have.

[George]

you haven't mentioned whether it is possible to thin out the trees to let more light in. Is that an option to cutting them down.

rob