How is you lawn doing this year? (Raleigh: for sale, Home Depot)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Man what a difference a year makes. Last year we were headed into a terrible drought but this year we are getting tons of rain. I don't ever water my lawn (stopped over two years ago) but is has never looked better. I aerated and overseeded in 2006 and put some fertilizer down in the Fall and Spring. I did absolutely nothing in 2007 because of the drought, and then aerated and overseeded in 2008 with some fertilizer down in the fall and spring again. My grass has gone from a pathetic excuse for a lawn with huge bare spots to looking like sod! I know it will take a beating when the summer weather rolls in, but I am loving it now. My soil has very little if any top soil and is mostly red clay with some fill material (rocks) mixed in for good measure. I guess you really can grow a decent lawn in red clay as long as you follow a maintenance regime.

[CHTransplant]

This time of year is that one, brief moment when everyone feels good about their lawn.

[Starglow]

I didn't do anything to my lawn for the past two years because of the drought and it shows. I recently added some lime and fertilizer which helped it some for the summer months until I can reseed in the fall.

I have 3/4 acre, so it can get quite expensive buying supplies and I don't waste the money if I can't water enough due to drought restrictions. I have one sprinkler and it can take a several hours of moving it around to water all the different areas.

Maybe next spring my lawn will be in much better shape.

[hula]

Wow, that looks fantastic! I didn't do anything either, thinking we'd be suffering for water again. We spent alot a money a couple years ago and watched everything burn away. Anyway, our lot is green as can be with weeds!

[chuckreis]

Mine has been doing great this year. I kind of double up, right now the fescue is kicking butt. Once it gets hot and dry the bermuda kicks in and looks nice.

[jellybiscuit]

Lawn?

I have a yard, but I'd never ruin it with a "lawn".

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by jellybiscuit

Lawn?

I have a yard, but I'd never ruin it with a "lawn".

That's a good route too. I've been adding more and more planting beds with mulch. I only have .10 acres to begin with so we aren't talking about a whole lot of grass. Even if I were on a large lot I would want most of the yard to be trees and planting beds with just small pockets of grass.

I definitely appreciate having only a small area to maintain in that it doesn't take much time and doesn't cost a lot of money.

[CarolinaCowboy]

I over fertilized and have had to cut mine every 3 days with all the rain, it grows like wild weeds.

[goheelz]

Great looking lawn. If you don't mind me asking, what type/brand of seed do you use?

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by goheelz

Great looking lawn. If you don't mind me asking, what type/brand of seed do you use?

My lawn care budget is pretty limited. I use a fairly inexpensive tall fescue seed blend made by Pennington. You can find it at any big box store. I think next year I will use Lesco's transition blend which I have seen for sale in Home Depots in the area. I hear it is a pretty good seed for this area.