Need a little lawn advice

[Arkitech]

I live in an area where there are lots of mature trees and for most of the year my front lawn is in shade. I think because of this my grass has a hard time growing well and as a result I have patches throught out my yard. I was thinking of initially going with a service like Trugreen or Chemlawn but after researching these guys online I'm having second thoughts. So it looks as if I'll have to do it myself, anyone have a few suggestions on what should be done to restore a lawn to its fullest potential?

 

[MustISO]

They make grass seed for shady areas. You could try that.

 

[Rhin0]

I used to use lime and urea. Plus turfbuilder/weed and feed if needed. Do a little research on the lime and urea. It really makes your lawn thick and green. I also had to mow 2, 3 times a week so that sucked. Also don't burn your lawn with ferts

Also in the shady areas a shade mix may be necessary (as MustISO said)

 

[boomerang]

I used ChemLawn for years and got a little tired of their "attitude". I found a small local company to do it and they are slightly cheaper and are willing to work with me better. I'm not interested in the full shebang and they have no problem with it.

With either of them, they can do the entire job cheaper than I can buy the fertilizer. I have a lot of lawn. I have 2 1/2 acres, but figure I am mowing about 1 acre.

I think you hit it right on the head with the tree problem. Besides some shady grass seed, if the money if available, you might want to have the trees trimmed also. Besides more sun to the lawn, you will greatly lessen the possibility of storm related damage from your trees. The trees themselves willl be healthier too.

Water is very important. I have too much to water and let mother nature take care of it. Obviously a sprinkler system is ideal.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I live in an area where there are lots of mature trees and for most of the year my front lawn is in shade. I think because of this my grass has a hard time growing well and as a result I have patches throught out my yard. I was thinking of initially going with a service like Trugreen or Chemlawn but after researching these guys online I'm having second thoughts. So it looks as if I'll have to do it myself, anyone have a few suggestions on what should be done to restore a lawn to its fullest potential?

Trim trees.
If they are evergreens your lawn needs lime,and fertilizer.
Scotts.
http://lawncare.scotts.com/index.cfm/event/Home.Normal

 

[masterxfob]

anyone have advice on how to get rid of rabbits and gophers? the gophers eat up my lawn, while the rabbits eat my greens... any advice other than poison?

 

[Mrvile]

Dogs love rabbits...as for gophers, they make this thing for moles that sends a high frequency sound underground (that humans can't hear) that might work for gophers.

The Step series fertilizer made our lawn grow so fast that we had to mow it at least twice a week.

 

[LeadMagnet]

The company Lebenon makes this fertilizer with Dimension that my landscaper recommened

 

[aeroguy]

Originally posted by: masterxfob
anyone have advice on how to get rid of rabbits and gophers? the gophers eat up my lawn, while the rabbits eat my greens... any advice other than poison?

Shotgun.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

1) Rip up sod
2) Lay Astroturf
3) ...
4) Profit

- M4H

 

[Caminetto]

Not even shade seed is going to help you if you don't have some sun. Your only solution is to have a tree service thin the tree limbs by pruning, and cutting off lower branches to allow more light onto lawn.

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: masterxfob
anyone have advice on how to get rid of rabbits and gophers? the gophers eat up my lawn, while the rabbits eat my greens... any advice other than poison?

but if I kill all the gophers they'll lock me up and throw away the key...

 

[Ornery]

I'm in the same boat. I only have to cut the lawn about once per month in mid summer. Fine fescue is what will grow in the shade, but it grows slowly, and can't take any traffic. I basically gave up. It does all the growing it's going to do in the early spring, before the leaves come out. Fertilize it then, and be happy with what you get. I'll be damned if I'm going to cut trees for the sake of grass. That shade is a good portion of my A/C in the summer!