I need help with getting my lawn growing. We live in NH and the soil's not very good. We like to say we grow rocks around here. We've lived here for 7 years and have tried numerous fertilizers, hardy grass seed, etc. and nothing works. We've added lime to change the pH. Nothing. We have 4 kids and a small dog so that doesn't help in the back and also limits us to "safe" fertilizers, etc.
At this point, I'm tired of wasting money. Do we need to bring in new soil? Obviously I'd prefer not as that would be really $$ but I'd rather know than waste more money on cheaper methods that do nothing.
My priority this year is the front yard. We have a little patch that I'd like to have some nice grass on, but it's just dirt and eventually grows weeds. If I do anything, I want to get grass there.
Does anyone have any tips? Help would be much appreciated!
With four kids, I can't imagine you have the time to take the appropriate care of a nice lawn. Proper grass care practically requires a full-time grounds crew, like a golf course.
Here is a site specifically for NH: http://www.newfs.org/
In our area those that struggle to most with a lawn are those that try to grow Fescue. That type of grass doesn't like our soil or the climate in the summer time either, yet people just keep dumping tons of money on a grass that is better left to where it grows on its own, and that ain't here.
http://extension.unh.edu/agric/agpdts/soilte... ...»
Based on the information you get, take the time to properly prepare the soil, tilling in lime and soil amendments as necessary.
For further suggestions on turf types and care, see this extension service publication:
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Res...
area, and remove all the rocks, (don't dispose of rocks) just clean out the area you want to grow. Then build up the soil with all the proper "stuff" to prepare it for the Lawn Seeds. Keep off the grass and water lightly daily.
Good luck!!
Bury a long flexible but sturdy pipe about 15 feet with enough left over to reach a 5 year old from a standing position. Have it sticking up on both sides so they can play 'telephone'.
Get some small slides, build up some small hills and cover with mulch then bury the small ...»
-Old tire swing.
-A tree or two will allow for a place to rest and avoid heat and sunstroke.
--'Circus' tent made from camouflage netting
-Sandpit with a table with a small fence on it for play. You can find one of these on Amazon for about $105.00. It is recycled plastic so it continues on with the idea of being green.
-A pergola for the children to tie up art projects, spring harvest fruits and fall harvest fruits. There is a play house but it does have lots of windows so no one can get in there and get locked in by some bully.
-Our park system has here is a running stream with pans for mining gold (painted gravel). Find a plan
-Log lined areas for planting seeds about 2'x2' for science projects.
-Especially if you have a dog I would encourage you to integrate some agility tunnels and jumps (these can be made from PVC pipe). The kids love the tunnels. If you have city construction connections perhaps they can let you know if there are any old concrete ditch/canal walls the city wants to get rid of which you can buy. These also make excellent tunnels when embedded in the ground.
If you put all this on a ground of pea gravel or mulch you will not have enough room for a lawn.
So much for your back lawn. Here in the desert many people decorate their front lawns with boulders and desert grasses. In the more southern regions of our state, the front lawn sizes make it absolutely ridiculous to buy anything other than a push mower.
I am sure I have given you some rather expensive ideas but with a little creativity and work most of these ideas can be made by you (save the slide and agility tunnel).
Yes, you will have to do something different in the wintertime but all landscaping has to be winterized.