My back lawn has pretty much had it. After the summer and winter frosts it's just clover how do i repair it?

Question

I have two dogs and 6 children using the backyard as well so I need the lawn to be durable . I have seen many different types of seeds and such on the market. How do I find the best for my needs? How do I kill the clover?

Answer 1

Try using an eco type lawn seed. Once this type of grass establishes itself, it wears and has less browning in the summer drought. Eco lawn seeds are usually blends of native grasses. They have a deeper root system than grasses such as Kentucky's etc. and require less water once established.

An ecological mix combining hardy grass varieties, legumes, and yarrow. Makes for a dense lawn that withstands mowing and foot traffic, plus it stays greener under draught and heat. Many people have asked us for a grass mix that does not die off in the middle of the summer and can withstand grubs. This mix is undisirable to grubs and chinch bugs plus the varieties chossen will not go dormant in the summer. Best seeded in the spring or late summer for best results. Seeding rate: 3/4kg per 1000 sq ft.

You can do a test seeding and fence it off from the rest of the yard until the lawn gets established.

Some links

http://www.wildflowerfarm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1&Category_Code=E

http://www.damseeds.com/asp/product.asp?PG=16881

Good Luck.

Answer 2

you might think this is crazy but if you have white clover why not just cultivate it. It has a long taproot so less watering than a lawn. durable enough that it use to be used in school playgrounds. and it doesn't grow over 4" so less mowing. It likes bad soil so no fertilizing. The major drawback is the same one the schools found when they had to quit using it in the fields.......bees love the flowers and some people are allergic to bees. Otherwise the perfect option for a lawn....I say this cause I am in the process of converting my backyard with clover. Just a thought.

Answer 3

Use an herbicide specfically for clover to kill the clover. I don't know wher you live so can't suggest a grass. Your local lawn and garedn store would know. Also, your local County or State Extension Service would know. I live in the Interior of Alaska and have very good success with Kentucky blue grass. Survives the severe winters and 80 degree summers.

Answer 4

How about doing something different:

From:
http://www.b4ubuild.com/links/play_areas.shtml

"A Playground:

Instead of sand, mulch, or wood chips, consider using a 9 to 12 inch layer of washed pea gravel around swingsets and play areas. Critters don't use it as a litter box; it drains quickly and dries faster than wood; it doesn't get all over the house like sand does; it never needs to be replaced like mulch or wood chips; since it has a natural tendency to roll, it can be moved fairly easily during installation and to maintain proper depth under swings and at the bottom of slides; and most importantly, it's good at dissipating the force of a fall.

Pea gravel can be contained with a wood border -- just be sure to allow plenty of room around swings and tall structures so "falling kids" don't land on it -- and place landscape cloth or filter fabric underneath it to keep the stones from disappearing into the soil.

Of course, every fall protection system has a few downsides... besides being easy to throw and tough on lawnmowers, pea gravel does fit nicely up one's nose and in one's ear. "

Answer 5

I'd put raised flower beds in many strategic locations. Things will grow better because you can control the soil you put inside it.

You could till the soil and plant a sturdy grass like bermuda in summer and a rye in the winter.

You can contact your local Univ. cooperative extention and get free advice from the Master Gardeners. They are volunteers that help you with soil, plants, watering, pests, etc.

Answer 6

i agree with lisa. a lawn doesn't have to be grass. it can be more durable, less water-consuming and ultimately prettier, in fact, AND you don't have to mow. go with the flow: if a certain ground cover, be it clover, tiny daisies, moss, etc. wants to take over then embrace it, encourage it.