Question
I have 4 dogs that spend a lot of time in my fenced backyard.  I also have intense heat in the afternoons in the summer.  We have never had grass in almost 1/2 of the area, the soil is very rocky and mostly clay.  Any ideas?  I have tried rose bushes, a garden, etc, but either the heat or the dogs have taken care of those - and not it a good way!

Answer
Hi Angie, You can't grow grass.  Soil compaction from the weight of the dogs will slowly kill it. Plus, pH is another issue. That's a lot of urine which makes the soil too acidic for grass.  If you prepare the soil properly, you should be able to grow some shrubs.  You'll need to start with large plants and probably ones with thorns to keep the dogs away.  You'll have to monitor their moisture requirements for a full year.  If you plant them and let them dry, just once, then you've wasted all your time and money.  Jim