davesisk
Platinum Member
Hey Folks:
I'm in Raleigh, NC. Have difficulty getting grass to grow. I'm shooting for most of the 1/4 acre around my house. We have about 4 acres of trees behind us, and quite a few trees to the sides. Also have a 60 lb hound dog who does as much damage to the yard as he can.
As you may or may not know, NC tends to have fairly mild winters (averaging around 40-50 degrees during the day and probably 30-40 at night, very low humidity, reasonable amount of rain), reasonably hot and dry summers (average 80's - 90's or so, heavy rain on occasion, very high humidity).
I've planted grass several years in a row, usually tall fescue or something like the Rebel mix from Lowes/Home Depot (which I believe is a mix of fescue and kentucky bluegrass). These seem to do well in the Spring and Fall when it's 60-70 degrees or so and enough rain. However, every summer it turns brown if I don't water it frequently, and a lot of it dies from being in too much shade plus having the dog traffic.
So, what I need is a breed of grass that has these characteristics:
1) Likes warm to hot weather.
2) Can survive somewhat dry summers.
3) Holds up well to dog and people traffic.
4) Spreads like crazy and grows dense.
5) Grows well in both the shade or sun.
I was thinking of trying perhaps some Centipede grass, or maybe Bermuda grass this Spring. I don't actually care if it turns brown in the Winter...we aren't outside then anyway, so who cares. We are outside in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, and that's when I'd like the yard to look nice.
Any suggestions for what grasses to consider? Any newer breeds that might serve me well? I realize I may have to plant something different in the mostly sunny versus mostly shady areas, and that's fine as long as it grows and I don't have to replant it every fall or spring!
TIA,
Dave
I'm in Raleigh, NC. Have difficulty getting grass to grow. I'm shooting for most of the 1/4 acre around my house. We have about 4 acres of trees behind us, and quite a few trees to the sides. Also have a 60 lb hound dog who does as much damage to the yard as he can.
As you may or may not know, NC tends to have fairly mild winters (averaging around 40-50 degrees during the day and probably 30-40 at night, very low humidity, reasonable amount of rain), reasonably hot and dry summers (average 80's - 90's or so, heavy rain on occasion, very high humidity). I've planted grass several years in a row, usually tall fescue or something like the Rebel mix from Lowes/Home Depot (which I believe is a mix of fescue and kentucky bluegrass). These seem to do well in the Spring and Fall when it's 60-70 degrees or so and enough rain. However, every summer it turns brown if I don't water it frequently, and a lot of it dies from being in too much shade plus having the dog traffic.
So, what I need is a breed of grass that has these characteristics:
1) Likes warm to hot weather.
2) Can survive somewhat dry summers.
3) Holds up well to dog and people traffic.
4) Spreads like crazy and grows dense.
5) Grows well in both the shade or sun.
I was thinking of trying perhaps some Centipede grass, or maybe Bermuda grass this Spring. I don't actually care if it turns brown in the Winter...we aren't outside then anyway, so who cares. We are outside in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, and that's when I'd like the yard to look nice.
Any suggestions for what grasses to consider? Any newer breeds that might serve me well? I realize I may have to plant something different in the mostly sunny versus mostly shady areas, and that's fine as long as it grows and I don't have to replant it every fall or spring!
TIA,
Dave
