Question
QUESTION: Hi, I live on the California coast, and I've just rented a house.  I have a large lawn area in the back and 2 small ones in the front.  The problem is, there is NO grass left at all, just a lot of weeds.  My question is, since this is rental and I don't want to spend TOO much money (willing to spend a reasonable amount), what would be the best way to kill these weeds and perhaps put some kind of lawn in (or at least make it look presentable and so my kids can play on it?)

ANSWER: Good question CJ.  First, you don't want to use any bad chemicals because you have children.  Not only would this be unhealthy, but it would set such a good example for them if you were able to show them that there are better ways to deal with these Weeds than simply dousing your own property with powders and liquids that come labelled with a Skull and Bones.

Now, tell me.  How much Sun do you have on those two spots in the front and in your backyard?

Sun is a critical factor when you're growing Grass.

Also, I would like to know your zipcode.  It is important to know what kind of Grass you can grow out there around your Coastal California Castle.

Temperature is everything.  Location, location, location.

rsvp and we will get this solved this weekend.  Thanks for writing.



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

QUESTION: Hi, thanks for your reply!  My backyard gets a lot of sun, there's very little shade on it throughout the day.  The front lawn is closer to the house so it loses the afternoon sun but has full sun in the morning/early afternoon.  I'm in 94063.

Answer
Sun is a wonderful thing when you are growing Grass.

I hope you have a Lawnmower.  Mowing is critical if you want healthy, thick Grass worth its salt.

Your zipcode tells me you need Warm Season Grass with VERY good drought tolerance.  I understand there is a lot of research going into water-less Grass.  We need to find you a good Grass.

In their online report, 'Drought Tolerance of Six Bermudagrass Cultivars,' Turfgrass Trends website points to findings that 'iron, manganese, potassium and calcium applications improve drought tolerance by increasing root depth, allowing plant water extraction deep in the soil profile.'

They say best results are obtained by watering deep, and infrequently.  Grass responds to drought by slowing down growth in the blades, and revving up growth in the roots.'

You can read the entire report here:

http://www.turfgrasstrends.com/turfgrasstrends/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=1563

Bermuda is the Grass you want.  It takes the heat, and it laughs in the face of water restrictions.  You may find it forms thatch in places but as a rule, Bermuda creates a thick, dense Lawn if it gets a ton of sun.

Bermuda's talent for thriving through a drought comes with a demand for frequent mowing.  Most Bermuda cultivars need close mowing to look their best.  Mow with a reel mower at 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches, no higher, for best results.  Water 1 to 2 inches during the hottest part of the Summer to keep the Bermuda growing.

Hybrids are not as hardy than the common Bermuda species, but in your region that's hardly an issue, with January temperatures in the 60s.

If you have renewed a lease on this place, you should get your soil tested.  It will tell you what, if anything, you need to add to the soil to grow beautiful Green Grass that thrives there.  It will save you money by keeping you from purchasing things you don't need, while directing you toward purchases that are necessary but unnoted without a test like this.  University of California at Davis does this for a modest fee that is worth its weight in gold:

http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/Pubs/Family_Farm_Series/Veg/Fertilizing/soil.html

Good luck and keep in touch.  Any more questions, I'm here.