Spring is around the corner, need grass help (how much, house)

[mbmouse]

Well, looking at the yard today and realized there is no grass, just green weeds. We have been avoiding it for lack of time in the past but this year we just HAVE to do something with the lawn, verse keeping the green weeds mowed.
We do not want to totally dig up what we have and re sod, not only for time issues but the pocket book too. We are debating between seed and plugs but the biggest deal is to get get a native grass that grows well in heavy think clay. What seems to grow the best are baby cypress trees, (anybody want free cypress trees? Come get em, bring pots, have shovel!) clover and crab grass. Have any locals have to do this too? If so what worked? Any horticulturists out there with some good suggestions? Would love to hear some ideas.
Thanks y'all!

[fishgolf]

Hi mb. It's been a while but lots of life altering things going on here in Ohio for us. I hope you're well.
As to your lawn, we have lots of clay up here too. This is what I've done with success and it should work for you. When the weeds seem to start growing you need to kill the whole area with weed killer. When everything looks brown, rake/scrape all the dead stuff out and discard. Then get some decent topsoil--not the sandy type stuff that comes in bags and is so common everywhere. That stuff is fine for some little projects but I wouldn't use it for a full lawn. Estimate how much you'll need based on about 2" of soil on top of your existing property. If you don't know how to do that just talk to the places that deliver soil by the truck and I'm sure they'll help you. You'll need x amount of yards. Now, top dress your property with the soil, use some "starter" fertilizer and a decent grass seed that's good for your geographic location. Don't put the seed on too sparsely; make sure you use a good amount. If you want you can then cover everything with sphagnum peat moss. However, the peat moss is expensive and you can go with just straw spread all over the top of your seed. It works just fine and will break down and disappear after a while (it's good for the lawn). Finally, and most importantly, make sure it is watered regularly. No need to soak it--just keep the whole lawn moist. If you generally get rain often enough, that will do just fine---just don't let the lawn go bone dry. The best time to do this project is in the very late late summer or early fall when the temps are not too hot. However, early spring is fine but don't wait until the temps begin climbing too much. Hope I've been of some help. Take care.

[mbmouse]

Hi fishgolf, good to hear from you again. Life altering? I hope those are in a good way? Yes, we are doing well here thanks for asking.
I appreciate the advice and we may end up having to do that, but I really don't want to have to kill off the whole yard to get it done. We have two kids a dog and a cat that go in and out all the time. If we killed the whole yard off then re seeded everything it would be clay/mud city for months and all that tracked into the house all day long...uuuuuggggg. I am trying to find an alternative to that mess but like I said, we might be forced to do that.
Has anyone here in Tri-Cities tried that Zoyia grass plugs? They claim to fill in and take over crab grass and such without having to rip up the old. But y'all know how what some companies claim their product can do verses what it really does.

[PeggyM]

MB, here is a link to a forum discussing zoysia grass. From what I read, zoyia is not such a great choice.

Moderator cut: sorry, can't link to other forums
read turbo5150 & a couple of the other posts were helpful. I lived in TX & you & I both lived in Florida & we had the Bermuda or St. Augustine grass. A couple of the posters say Zoysia is similar. I don't like either one. Give me good ole' Kentucky blue grass or something akin to it. Something you can walk barefoot in.

[mbmouse]

Thanks Peggy! I appreciate the info and yes, I agree, I want to be able to walk barefoot on my yard! Could not stand the grass in FL, so that crosses that choice off my list.