Question
I live in Duluth, MN. and have Bought my first house. The Lawn Is Kind Of Ok Now But, I have two dogs and they have Really torn up the grass in the backyard over the winter At My Last Place. For The Last Two Years In The Spring The Is Less And Less Grass And More And More Dirt. The lawn Was In A Few Small Patches And Mostly Dead (Lots Of Dirt). I would like to know what kind of grass is best for high traffic areas In My Area And What, If Any Thing I Can Do Before The Snow Hits And May Be This Year To Have A Great Thick Green Lawn Next Spring?  Also, when should I start planting the grass and when should I And What Kind Of fertilize That Wont Hurt The Dogs?

Thank You So Much, Can't Wait To Hear From You!!!
~Kell

Answer
Hi Kelly,

I'm sorry to say that I don't have better information for you. If you want to give it one more shot, I'd recommend Tall Fescue. That said, I don't think you have much chance of keeping any grass.

There's "High Traffic", and then there's your situation, which sounds like it no longer qualifies. That kind of beating is too much for any lawn. Its just that simple. Your question to me is like asking your doctor what kind of pills you can take so that you can survive in a desert for a month with no food, water, shelter, or clothing. Just as no pill could work such a miracle, neither can any grass withstand such abuse from the dogs.

I'd recommend getting some nice bark mulch and spreading it all through the areas where the dogs play. It'll keep them from getting too dirty and muddy, and all you have to do is replenish it from time to time.

Good luck Kelly. Sorry again for the lack of good news.

-C.J. Brown