We just tore out our deck and want to grow grass?
Question:we just tore out our deck that is 10 square feet in our back yard and need to know what prep i need to do to get grass ready and all that stuff.never really grown anything so all i know is like to till the soil, but as far as planting and all that stuff i dont know what to do. any help would be great and thanks
Answers:
Well, if you leave it for a whole season you should put out some good mud catching mats as your just gonna have a great big mud hole every time it rains.
You might want to check into some St. Augustine Grass, if its a nice sunny area, if it is shaded, try some Centipede grass, both are supposably fast growing once they take root.
And from what I understand and have heard since childhood is they will eventually choke out any weeds.
There are also several different types of fast growing grass mixtures.
You may want to go to your local coop and see what they recommend.
Low growing grass to me is far better than high growing grass, but everyone is different...
Timing is everything in growing grass.
Summer planting rarely goes well. About all that works is sod.
You can get "contractors'" seed mix that will sprout up quick... but its mostly annual grasses. To aid it growing in the summer you need to spread straw to hold moisture and protect the new shoots from cooking in strong sunlight.
Mid to late fall is when you should plant grass seed. The seedlings should sprout and get tall enough to need mowing once at least before snowfall (if your area gets snow) over the winter the grass will develop roots even while covered with snow.
Which grass seed to get depends on where you live...
It all depends on the type of grass you grow and the condition of your soil at the moment. I am assuming that you are getting rolls of pre-prepared turf from a turf supply. This is more expensive but gives you instant lawn and has a better success rate than seed.
I suggest that you contact your turf supplier and ask them. They will have suggestions as to the base you should use and also ongoing care.
If in doubt see www.burkesbackyard.com.au or any other gardening site.
Best to do is wait till the fall. Till the soil and add some mulch or peat moss or manure (home depot, Lowes etc.). Smooth the area. Since this is the former deck location it is probably next to the house so be sure to gently slope the soil away from the homes foundation. This fall seed the area with grass seed from a local home center then cover with straw and keep damp for the next week to ten days. By that time you should have some grass seedlings growing . Good Luck
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