Question
QUESTION: I've read some of your responses regarding yards that have pet traffic - mine needs help. My yard is fenced in and up until my husband died suddenly 2 years ago we had one dog (older).  After he died, I felt I needed to add a new pet - enter a 70 pound rescued Boxer 7 months old - the older Boxer got sick and after a few months I added another young rescued Boxer.  We had an average lawn which was kept with fertilizing and weed control, however the wet spring and all the rain we had this past summer and fall(along with the dog traffic) has made my backyard look like a corral.  I attempted to re-seed in the fall and grass grew but it couldn't withstand the rain and the dogs. Since I'm not going to confine my pets indoors, I need a remedy. Would I have any success if I raked out the lawn by sections, seeded a section with the tall Fescue and then moved onto another section after it developed a good stand of grass.  I don't really care if the lawn is uneven I was hoping if I raked each section I would be able to seed and get a fairly tough stand of grass.  Probably sounds like I'm at a loss as to what to do and you would be right.  My front yard is great but unfortunately my backyard has gone to the dogs. Any helpful advise would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Lucille:

You are obviously not from the southeast, where we had a drought for most of 2007.  I would offer a solution by changing the type of grass you plant, but if you are from the far north, it will not work.

If you can keep the dogs off the areas you reseed, the grass will have a chance to establish.  Your plan seems sound.  Establishment time for a good stand, though, will be months during the growing season, meaning that only a few small areas will be repaired in one year.

If you live far enough south, you may consider planting a summer grass like Bermuda or St. Augustine.  In fact, you may also consider sodding these small areas.  Sod establishes much more quickly than seed.  In proper conditions with irrigation, one month ought to provide a sound turf.  These varietes also repair themselves during summer with rapid growth.

Hope hese ideas are helpful.

Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and I've read some of the info on K31.  My goal for the early spring was to find the toughest grass available and start with the smaller sections right off the deck where it has become the worst.  Am I on the right track with the type of grass or is there something better?  I'm a bit reluctant to sod due to the unknown expense of such a project.

Answer
Lucille:

In Pennsylvania, fescue is a good turf.  May I suggest starting where the pet traffic is lighter and working toward the problem area.  My guess is that you are limited by ability to rake and level rather than cost of seed.  If you can, cover as much area as possible and seed everything this spring and early summer.

A mix of annual rye with fescue will germinate more quickly and protect the fescue, which takes a wek longer to come up.  I would use a 60% fescue 40% rye blend.

Sod is not too expensive, but not as inexpensive as seeding.  It should cost a few dollars per square yard as opposed to pennies per square foot for seed.

Be sure to put a little fertilizer on the lawn to boost growth when you seed.

The damage is a problem in the highest traffic areas.  Hopefully, you have enough space for your dogs and they are not cramped.  If they are, then the damage will be hard to cover.  Young dogs will cause more damage than older ones.  It should abate when they age.

Best wishes.