Update on our(formerly) poor pitiful backyard
Last fall I posted about our dreadful back lawn(I use that term loosely!). We killed everything back there and planted some seed, which is the same thing we did to our front yard the year before.
The seeds sprouted last fall, and I'm happy to report that it's doing well this spring. See? We actually have grass growing!
And it cost almost nothing.
Just a bag of seed and some elbow grease(spreading, raking, and watering).
Much, much cheaper than sod.
It's not perfect(there are some bald spots, so we'll overseed again this fall and then we should be good to go), but I don't know that sod would look perfect either. And considering how expensive sod is, I'll happily take a few bare spots in my lawn, thank you very much.
In Southern California, when you see someone planting sod, you have to assume they don't realize where they live or what a water problem we have here.
Planting sod anywhere to me seems like not just a waste of money, but indicative of the impatience of our culture- got to have it NOW! The funny thing is, I don't even like that "perfect" look- it looks artificial. I much prefer the look of your lawn. And I love the swingset!
We planted by seed two years ago and I'm surprised about how nice it looks. It's amazing how quickly it filled in. We have one little spot left to fix! You're lawn looks nice.
That is encouraging... we were just talking about doing the same to our yard and I didn't know how well it would turn out.
Looking good, Kristen! I remember that front "lawn", what an improvement. The grass is always greener.....when you plant it yourself!
Angela, the swingset was a hand-me-down from our neighbors...we just had to get the actual swings for it. Our kids have gotten SO much use out of that thing!
Lee-Anne, I was kind of nervous about how it would turn out, too! For some reason, I always worry that the seed won't come up. lol
Oh goodness Kristen! Good job! Our dog has plowed his way through our grass making a diagnal path of dirt across the lawn (this is his 'catch the ball' path). Instead of seed or sod (out of the question!) I moved the wire grass that grows rampantly in my garden to the bare patches in the back lawn. It's working beautifully!
Your lawn looks very nice. If you start to get weeds creeping in, pull them and sprinle a little clover seed. Clover helps to crowd out weeds but it will hang out nicely with the grass and be fine with being mowed. A little bag of clover seed is more affordable and safer than lawn chemicals that will only weaken your lawn and expose your family to toxins.
Tracy, the clover has been doing a fine job of infiltrating our lawn. lol There's not so much in the back, but we have a fair amount in the front.
I do pull weeds(silly as it may seem in a large-ish lawn!)...the kids like to help me, and we end up with a big old pile of weeds on the sidewalk.