Is it possible to grow grass over a concrete slab?

Question

Stupid question maybe, but I would like to know if it is possible to grow grass over a concrete slab? Details: I live in Baltimore City and have a very tiny and uninspiring concrete slab patio (enclosed by a fence) behind my rowhome. The concrete slab has a concrete border approximately 7 inches higher than the slab itself. Note: It's not feasible/affordable to break up the concrete and start anew. Just wondering if there is a way to put down a shallow amount of soil and roll sod grass over it? Is artificial grass my only option?

Answer 1

of course you can! Just throw about 4 inches of dirt on top of it. If you put sod, just water roll it on and water it about 2-3 times a day for about two weeks. If you put seed , put it down ,put some seed cover and water it for 3 times a day for about five minutes each time..then water once after the seed comes out

Answer 2

It's possible, but not practical. Drainage is an issue. So is setting a deep enough base of topsoil and/or sand for the roots to grow. The roots of a lawn should be allowed to grow several inches into the soil. Otherwise, the grass plants can become rootbound and the lawn won't look good, if it grows at all.

Another issue is mowing. You would have to invest in some kind of lawn mower, not really even knowing if the grass will survive.

If you're really bent on trying this, I would recommend about a 4-inch layer of sand topped with an inch or two of topsoil. Then lay sod. You might also want to put some kind of plastic barrier (Visqueen) over the concrete, so the alkaline chemicals in the concrete don't burn the roots when they get down that far (may or may not happen - I've never grown grass over concrete).

I just think you'd be better off having an artificial turf installed. Or, at the very least, rolling out some Astroturf.

Answer 3

Artificial Grass Over Concrete

Answer 4

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RE:
Is it possible to grow grass over a concrete slab?
Stupid question maybe, but I would like to know if it is possible to grow grass over a concrete slab? Details: I live in Baltimore City and have a very tiny and uninspiring concrete slab patio (enclosed by a fence) behind my rowhome. The concrete slab has a concrete border approximately 7 inches...

Answer 5

Years and years ago Scott fertilizer company had tv commercial showing grass growing on concrete.......telling us it was all the fertilizer's going. Hahahaha! What they didn't tell is they were watering multiple times a day and injecting fertilizer into the water. (Why? Soil holds water and nutrients.) Now we could use slow release fertilizer but would still need to water at least 3 times a day, more in summer heat.

So unless you are willing to haul in at the very least 8 inches of top soil over the concrete and can water daily, no I wouldn't even try.

The artificial grass might work better, but they do need to install a soft underlayment so the grass "gives" when you walk over it.

Or you could put down a layer of sand and install pavers making a better looking hard surface and then have container grown plants over the top.

Answer 6

You can't grow grass on concrete because the roots won't be able to dig down deep enough. Your only option- assuming you won't break up the concrete- is to get some artificial grass. Sorry.

Good luck with your lawn. ^^

Answer 7

I suppose you can fill up 7inches of soil and plant shallow rooted grass or clover instead. Clover is dark green in colour and looks great, even when not mowed. If you didnt think about mowing, then there are other prostrate,very low growing tiny leaved herbs and plants ( known as ground covers) of many varieties (easily found at any garden center), which dosnt need mowing at all and spreads itself too. They are excellent plants to go for in your situation and will look great as well.

Answer 8

It may work but it will probably wash off and the roots would not be able to get deep enough.I would lay some nice pavers or even wooden slabs to make it look like a deck.

Answer 9

I can't say absolutely no but I will tell you that my mother-in-law started noticing brown patches on her lawn. Her lawn guy looked at it and he said that the ground wasn't cleared properly before the sod was put down. Where the brown patches were, there were large stones underneath. The sun was heating up the stones and it was cooking the roots of the grass.

Answer 10

for sure--get some low grass like rye grass-your going to have to drill or break away the curb part about every 5 ft so it can drain.theres also some great ground covers that you could put around in low flower boxes.