How to get grass to grow in my Townhouse back yard
If you’re reading this, chances are the grass is gone or has been taken over by weeds. What do you do now? We’ll look at options for getting your backyard back and what alternatives there are to grass.
Fence Shade
In the typical town home, the fencing around the back yard is 6 feet tall privacy or shadowbox fencing, it blocks out a lot of the light, especially right next to the fence itself. Even if you have no trees around, the areas right along the perimeter will be shaded 80% of the day.
Solution: Landscape Beds
You can create perimeter landscape beds along the areas of the fence that are bare, this can also apply to areas along the foundation of your home, under bay windows, decks, etc. Install shade tolerant perennials and shrubs in the landscape beds and turn that shade into a visual asset. Read about shade plants here that are also Deer Resistant >>
Tree Shade
You will often have trees in the backyard or immediately behind your home in the common area. The root system is a big culprit here, trees are giant plants that need nutrients just as much as the grass does, so anywhere those roots stretch will be very difficult to grow grass, though weeds often don’t mind the resulting poor soil. The shade from the canopy of course doesn’t help.
Solution 1: Pruning
What to do about tree roots and shade? You can thin the canopy by pruning some or many of the larger limbs from the tree, this will create a dappled sunlight effect that will allow some types of fescue to grow pretty well, though it won’t have a very durable surface, it’ll tend to pull up easily, especially if dogs or kids are playing on the surface.
Solution 2: Cover the Roots
If you have a lot of surface tree roots, you can sometimes cover the exposed roots with a layer of soil, though this can stress the tree if the soil is more than a few inches thick. Apply soil about 3-4 inches thick over the desired area and install sod (anytime) or grass seed (Fall only).
Dogs
The most common cause of bare or patchy lawns in town homes is the environmental inherent compromise of owning a dog. Though we all try, it’s not always possible to take them out for a potty break, the backyard ends up becoming bare because of the high Ph in the urine and the ammonia.
Solution 1: Create a “Spot”
The best way to correct this is to take your pup outside the yard for breaks, or create a dedicated area for the bathroom, like a pea gravel pit that can be cleaned easily. If you can keep the dog from using the lawn for a potty area, then you can do a Fall Turf re-build or Sod installation and maintain from there with an annual lawn treatment program.
Solution 2: Artificial Turf
If the backyard is the primary option for the dogs, then we might recommend the new artificial turf options. The Easy Turf “Pedigree” turf is a great option for pet owners since it is breathable and treated with Microban to reduce bacterial growth. It can be installed in most backyards for less than pavers and is a more pleasing natural surface than concrete or stone.
We offer free estimates for landscaping, sod installation, tree work and artificial grass installation. Let us know if you’d like an estimate. Our number is 703-239-800 or contact us online!
