Need grass suggestions for Minnesota

L
by L
We have a newer home, without backyard grass. Lots of weeds, sand, dirt. The front lawn we have been fortunate to be able to revive it. When we go into a garden center, we are totally lost as what type of grass works best with our harsh winters. We are thinking we will need to put down weed killer, and have dirt hauled in, and we would like to try seeding for this year. It is just under a half acre. Full sun, no shade, as there is not a single tree in the backyard. Any suggestions are so welcome to help us out.
Small portion of the backyard. We do have an irrigation system for watering. We just moved here 4 months ago. Help!
  14 answers
  • White Oak Studio Designs White Oak Studio Designs on May 11, 2014
    Having an irrigation system is wonderful, lucky you! I imagine you are thinking grass but I urge you to consider native plantings. You can find many that can handle the hot sun of a no tree yard while your trees grow. Native plants are hardy, requiring less maintenance; less water, less fertilizers and are good for the environment. Unfortunately lawns are one of the biggest contributors to pollution (air, soil and ground water) and using gas to mow them weekly and fertilizers is a huge contributor. If you research native plantings to your area you will find not only are they beautiful, they attract pollinators, butterfly's, birds and helpful insects. I'm turning my 2 1/2 acres of grass/weeds into a meadow and native planting gardens. We have a large bird feeding bed, meadow, wood lot and garden beds.Our birds come to eat the bugs and provide us with lovely color and songs. If you are interested Goggle Wild One's and visit my blog at the Small House Under a Big Sky - LOTS of photos there. You can likely make room for a patio, a small patch of grass (for kids to play on) and LOTS of native plants!
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    • L L on May 15, 2014
      @Marion Nesbitt thank you
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 11, 2014
    Fine-leafed fescues will require much less maintenance (including water and chemicals) than Kentucky bluegrass. Check at your local garden center and see if they think buffalograss may be an option for you.
  • Barbara Barbara on May 14, 2014
    Buffalo grass is not hardy in northern states. A blend of fescues, blue grass, and a bit of perennial rye is the best choice. If you're near Plymouth, MN, come to Dundee Nursery and I'll help you out.
    • L L on May 15, 2014
      @Barbara thank you, not close to Dundee Nursery, is that the only location they have? But thanks for the suggestions of blend of grass seed to buy.
  • Bonnie S Bonnie S on May 14, 2014
    Our grass here in Indiana does the same thing every year...mostly under the sunset maples and flowering crab. It is also where our bird feeders have always been...in mostly shade and the yard looks worse every year. And every year we replant
  • Julie Julie on May 14, 2014
    If I were you, I would call Bachmans or another reputable Landscape/greenhouse and ask them. You really want to get the right direction for grass here in Minnesota! I live in Edina and have been trying for years to find the right grass to grow in my backyard!! You are lucky you get so much sun! That will help! You might even want to send soil samples in to find out the acidity of your soil etc. Good luck but I urge you to check with professionals, they don't charge you to call and ask or you can email Bachmans and they are really good about getting back to you! Good Luck!! Lots of Winter kill here this Spring, I see it all over when I drive around, so sad! Our last two winters have been BRUTAL!!
  • Sheri Ketarkus Sheri Ketarkus on May 14, 2014
    Rye (live in northern WI) has worked for us. Also, think about a few trees. It will be awhile before they have any size, but it's a start. Maples grow quite quickly as do crab apple. Good luck.
    • L L on May 15, 2014
      @Sheri Ketarkus thank you, we have been looking at the price of trees, and after pickup ourselves up, we continue on our search. Wanted to get a sugar maple, but a 2 foot size is almost $200.00 Ouch! Hoping to purchase a lawnmower soon, for the front lawn, and decided to wait on buying trees for the backyard till after he used the stuff to kill everything in the backyard first.
  • Lreg Lreg on May 14, 2014
    Go to www.seedsuperstore.com . Drew is awesome. The site has several excellent resources to help you. We had a flood in 2011 and in 2012 we hosted a garden tour of our rehabbed lawn. People could not believe we didn't put in sod. We do not have a sprinkler system. We wanted a lawn that could sustain itself with little watering on our part. Go there you won't regret it. Totally money well spent.
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on May 14, 2014
    Kentucy 31 fescue does well here in Tennessee,, its a hardy grass once established and we can have some pretty cold winters, it always comes back in he spring.. It is a fescue and makes a beautiful lawn ... I am not sure what it would be like in Mn for this grass but its a deep rooting hardy variety ... you could add Rye grass to the mix. worth a shot.
  • Caroline Nordstrom Caroline Nordstrom on May 14, 2014
    Check out Prairienursery.com. If you arent opposed to Natives in place of the green carpet seen everywhere. They have wonderful plants, seeds and ideas.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on May 14, 2014
    I live on the Prairies of Manitoba. Think people have been conditioned to want the greenest grass in the hood, etc. My lawn is about 1/2000 the size of yours and know it has creeping red fescue in it. But I also have some low-growing clover (with the little white flowers) which is gradually increasing its presence. I love it. Hope it takes over completely. It is hardy, stays green, provides nutrients to the soil and doesn't need mowing. How good does it get?
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    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on May 15, 2014
      @L Have no idea of how to deal with so many dandelions. Hate chemicals. Maybe keeping them mowed before they go to seed would help control the spread? In the meantime, you could start digging them out from some small spaces and put down pavers, trees/bushes, sod, etc. and gradually work your way to the back of your yard. It's an awesome task because the yard is so large. But it would be a start.
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on May 14, 2014
    First thing that came to my mind was also Fescues. Very hardy. Rock gardens, bi-ennials and pavers. That's the way I'd go. As little maintenance as possible. Good Luck!
  • Sheri Ketarkus Sheri Ketarkus on May 15, 2014
    I forgot to add that we also have clover mixed in with the rye.
  • L L on May 15, 2014
    Thank you for all the suggestions. Husband wants to kill it all off, and start over. I see dollar signs when he talks like that. So, sounds like it won't be till fall, that we will seed anything in the back lawn. Fun, to see many neighboring states reply, all replys have been appreciated.
  • Sheri Ketarkus Sheri Ketarkus on May 15, 2014
    Shop around. Gurneys guarantees their plants/trees and their prices aren't too terrible. If u have friends that live rurally (with wooded land) you might be able to dig up a few small trees. Also, check with your local DNR, sometimes they have tree sales. Good luck.