Our lawn needs help.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a person who is a lawn expert?
We spent $$$ leveling the backyard and putting in sod so that kids can run around and play. It's been less than 4 months and the grass is practically ruined. There are dead patches, some parts of the lawn stay moist all the time and the soil is very dark and hard. Some parts have white mold growing. I'm scratching my head... I grew up on the east coast and lawn was never a real problem. We just needed to water and mow. On the east coast, we didn't even have sprinklers...
We're very sad and disappointed that the thousands of dollars we spent appear to be completely wasted. The landscaper whom we hired to do this job turned out to be a very bad listener and communicator and didn't do the job in a way that we asked and he didn't even know what type of grass he used. So, we don't feel comfortable having him go back to troubleshoot... We asked him to go back and he said to increase water pressure for the sprinklers? Another landscaper recommended that we add top soil and re-seed. Basically, one guy is saying it needs more water and the other is saying it needs less water.
Because we already spent so much money, we don't have a ton of money left. But, backyard that cost so much money is making me very sad, so even if it means we have to forego our summer vacation plans and eat out less, I'd like to get this lawn fixed up and begin enjoying the backyard.
Thank you for your recommendation.
Parent Replies
Yeah this is a problem with people who move from the east coast (like me!). It's very hard to get used to the idea that grass lawns are not practical here, not at all. In fact I interviewed an expert for an article I wrote a couple years ago, and his opinion was that grass lawns in California are as bad for the environment as fake grass made of plastic. Watering the lawn is a huge waste of a precious natural resource. Turf grass simply doesn't work here. There's a really nice book called "Lawn Gone!" that has a lot of ideas for kid-friendly drought-resistant lawns, and another one called "Reimagining the California Lawn" by Carol Bornstein with a lot of suggestions for grasses that are tougher and easier to maintain than sod. And/but you can just google "drought-resistant backyard" or "landscaping without grass" to find entirely alternate ideas that may require some reframing of your own expectations, but will really make you happy in the long run.
Yes, you need to know what kind of grass you have in order to treat it properly, as different kinds of turf have different requirements. Some need more water, some need more sun, many need regular fertilizing, almost all need great soil. The velvety green grass of the East often needs way more water than the coarser varieties better adapted to the drier West Coast. Plus you really need to prepare the topsoil. Most commercial "topsoil" is crap; you need amendments and for the soil to be soft and un-compacted.
The fastest way to get a nice lawn is to prepare the soil properly and install sod that is adapted to your growing conditions. Since that will cost, you may want to do only a small area. For a cheaper interim solution, you could put down a thick layer of sawdust for a soft playing area. Downside is the kids tracking it inside. But come the fall, you can add some manure or nitrogen to break down the sawdust and improve the topsoil. Or plant a cover crop and till it in. Or use wood-chips for a longer-term solution that won't require so much water.