Good Durable Grass

[Guest Iceman41]

First off did not no were to post this so the look good.

I fenced in my yard last summer not the hole yard but a nice area off my back porch.

Over the winter it has taken a beating from Julie running on it.

My question is what is a good durable grass and a good fertilizer that is not toxic.

I have been doing some grass research and there are a lot of high traffic grass to plant

Just want some input

[XTRAWLD]

It's so hard to grow grass with zoomie greys. For any grass to take hold or even have a fighting chance, (even durable stuff), you must not have her so much as lay a foot on the grass for at least a month before it takes root and grows well. Are you willing to walk her during that time or does she have another area to go to without touching the new sod?

[Time4ANap]

Many have tried before you. All have failed.....

 

We are going to eventually buy some used astroturf for the fenced turnout area. No more mud, no more mowing - win-win.

[lotsoffreetime]

Many have tried before you. All have failed.....

 

We are going to eventually buy some used astroturf for the fenced turnout area. No more mud, no more mowing - win-win.

 

with 4 under age 5, this sounds like the perfect solution to me!!!!

 

(edited bc I cannot spell)

Edited February 21, 2012 by lotsoffreetime

[Guest zoolaine]

Many have tried before you. All have failed.....

 

We are going to eventually buy some used astroturf for the fenced turnout area. No more mud, no more mowing - win-win.

 

 

I swore I was going to keep the grass in my backyard when I moved from Washington to Texas - lasted about 9 months before i admitted defeat

[Hubcitypam]

When I worked at the daycare/boarding we had some sort of astroturf with drainage built in. Not cheap but I'[ll see if I can find it....

 

ETA -- this stuff worked great with up to 180 dogs.

 

http://www.progreen.com/

Edited February 22, 2012 by Hubcitypam

[Guest Garwood]

I love zoysia grass. It's the best barefoot grass there is. Once it establishes itself, no weeds, clover or dandelions. All you have to do is cut it.

 

Some people don't like it because it turns yellow in early fall and stays yellow until it warms up.

 

You can grow it in Pennsylvania. You need sunlight, water and nitrogen. You probably have plenty of nitrogen. My dad switched our yard over to zoysia more than forty years ago. He's been gone for thirty years. His zoysia is still there, as full and plush as it ever was (and yellow, right now).

 

Ask your garden center about it.

[Guest Iceman41]

Years ago I bought zoysia plugs never could get them to grow. Different yard though.

How long does it take to establiish it self? Years or months

[cleptogrey]

tried the zoysia, no luck

tried fencing off areas and growing grass....gone in one zoomie, dog crashed into fencing(he was young)

tried weeds, no luck

did mulch for a while- too $$$$ and it decomposed every 9 months

doing straw again....no mud, less $$$$ and annie loves hanging out in her "bed of straw".

 

when/if i sell i'll plant grass in the richest soil in town. that mulch really renewed the quality of our dirt/soil

 

btw...no more mowing...yippee

[shawna]

Bahaia Grass. Once it takes root, the roots are about 18 inches deep.

[Guest Garwood]

Years ago I bought zoysia plugs never could get them to grow. Different yard though.

How long does it take to establiish it self? Years or months

 

It can take a few years to see results. Any grass is gonna be hard to grow from seed if your dogs are running over it.

 

I understand your frustration. These guys really tear it up with their big feet and sharp turns. I call my dog Blackfoot, on rainy days.

[Time4ANap]

For those who have a turnout area and are thinking about the astroturf, I found this website several years ago that is a supplier to sports teams, stadiums, and other large institutions. They sell used astroturf when the fields are refurbished. As long as you're not worried about it being perfect, the price for the used stuff can't be beat. The only downside is that the freight is usually as much as the turf itself depending on how much you're ordering. This stuff is heavy and you will need muscle or a tractor / forklift to unload it if you get a large quantity. I got a quote from them and it was reasonable - we just haven't gotten to this project yet..

 

The used stuff may have some chunks out of the backing, or might have lines on it from a football field or baseball diamond. They do have some types that will drain better than. You may need a layer of gravel under it for proper drainage. For me, the price still beats buying seed and running up my water bill every year trying to keep grass in the area..

Edited February 25, 2012 by Time4ANap