Growing a lawn in SOCAL... We need urgent help!!!?

Question

What is the best way to grow a lawn from scratch. We recieved a code violation and we have 6 weeks to fix the lawn. We live in the mojave desert. Tempratures at this time of year vary from the low forties at night to the high seventies in the warmest part of the day. Any suggestions???

Answer 1

let me tell you how.. scalp your yard, buy some perrenial rye grass seed, spread it with a spreader, cover the seed with seed covering, water it three times a day until the seeds are soaked thouroughly, you should have a brand new lawn in about three weeks

Answer 2

A code violation? For what? Maybe for even having a lawn, or just for watering too much?

I live in Anza, up the hill from you, and have nice grass. I don't mow so I don't call it a lawn.

I use red fescue and sheep fescue. Both grasses use much less water than 'turf grasses' most people think of as lawn.
I just put in a small section and it is up and green in a week. Looks fine, but...I have to keep it covered so the rabbits don't eat it, and so the birds wouldn't eat all the seed.

The patches I have growing well only need water once a week, or LESS. It can be mowed tall, but only grows about 8" when left alone. Does make a nice lawn too.

DO NOT plant annual ryegrass or any of those junk lawn grasses. They will waste water, not become established, and probably cause you more problems in the future.

I get my red fescue in bulk. groworganic.com has it by the pound (or 5 lbs).

It is easy to start is kept moist. And now is the best time to get it going.
I rake it in with a bit of compost, then cover it with a floating rowcover (Agri-bon) with a watering every second or third day. It is growing nicely.

Code Violation???

Answer 3

If you live in the Mojave Desert, try Xeriscaping !
Use native plants (including grasses if you like).
Alternatively if price is no object, try the "man-made"
lawn such as: http://www.artificialgrasssc.com
Hardscape is also an option...using something like Pea Gravel or decomposed Granite and a few larger strategically placed Rocks.
It is better on the environment and on your pocket if
you don't use lawn in desert climates. Lawns tend to
use plenty of water...!

If you're absolutely set on having a LAWN and you want it within 6 weeks, try sod. Marathon II and Augustine are a little more hardy in SoCal.
It is definitely cheaper to plant it from seed but this will take plenty of water and caring for and a bit of time just to get established.
There is also a spray on option...the type used by New Home Builders...Hydro-Seeding.

Answer 4

If your talking from scratch like theres no grass right now, youll need to loosen the ground with a fork, go to lowes or somewhere to get grass seed, get as much as you need as spread it over the loose soil, turn the soil over and cover with straw, straw will stop the birds from trying to get your seeds and also is good for retaining the moisture in the ground. Water the ground, obviously it will be soft , leave it alone now for a week and youll see grass coming up through the straw . In six weeks it sould be just how they want it, dont step on the grass or anything, you want to loosen the soil to about 1/2 -1 feet deep, dont worry if the seeds arent al 100% 1/2 - 1 foot deep, grass will grow from cms below, just watch your stepping as you can make a large foot print from the soft soil, even when it looks real dry! i learnt that from my wife!. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

If you live in the Mojave desert you should not have a lawn. Try some nice rock patterns with cacti and flowers suited for the climate. It will use less water and be low maintenance.

Answer 6

examine to ensure in case your sprinklers are providing adequate insurance. optimal insurance or "head to head insurance" is at the same time as the spray from one sprinkler touches the subsequent nearest sprinkler head. Brown spots are dry spots and are an illustration sprinklers are set too some distance aside. Ask any irrigation contractor and they'll make sure this condition. increasing your irrigation time gained't help-you'd be dropping water. It would not cost a lot to interchange a number of the present sprinkler nozzles with ones with an prolonged "throw." do not mix spray form sprinklers with rotor form heads-they have diverse software prices. it is more advantageous paintings, yet digging up the line and including a sprinkler on the "brown" spots would nicely be the more advantageous lengthy time period answer.

Answer 7

Well our lawn was looking very dry & horrible.. We went to bunnings warehouse & bought some Scott's Lawn builder. OMG its works fantastic!! We have now got a nice lush green lawn. The bags are decent size & approx $25. We have done it twice now..both times sprinkled it on the lawn before rain was due..& it works wonder's!
http://www.scottsaustralia.com.au/Lawn_Builder/Lawn_Builder_Regular

Answer 8

Sod will probably be your best bet for the amount of time you have.