Grass

[gman]

I've got a relatively small area of grass in my garden, maybe 14 square yards, which has some big patches and although the rest is ok it's not the thickest lush bit of grass to be had. It's used daily by the dog and regularly played on by the children.

Does anyone know from experience and not Google which would be the best option going forward, grass seed or turf?

 

[Keith W]

Would also be interested in the answer to this

 

[Julie1979]

We tend to just seed the patches but we would do it before going on holiday so that it had a chance to grow without the kids running over it.

 

[gman]

We tend to just seed the patches but we would do it before going on holiday so that it had a chance to grow without the kids running over it.

Good idea, this would allow me to get some netting over it also for a fighting chance.

 

[Cartus]

Seeding will ultimately give you a better finished product, but only if the preparation (e.g. no weeds or stones, soil a 'fine tilth') is immaculate otherwise I would replace the whole area with turf.

Overseedng the bare areas (and keeping birds off) is another option too, best carried out in Oct/Nov but if you can keep watering it, any time of the year, a lot cheaper and less work but I don't think the finished lawn would be as good, but that might not matter.

 

[omens]

I was under the impression that dog urine can damage grass and that, unless it's watered down immediately, it will die. Otherwise you can get "tough" grass that can withstand kids running around on it.

 

[Julie1979]

I was under the impression that dog urine can damage grass and that, unless it's watered down immediately, it will die. Otherwise you can get "tough" grass that can withstand kids running around on it.

From experience I find the opposite. The grass grows quicker and thicker where they have been. Sticks out like a sore thumb too.

 

[Julie1979]

Good idea, this would allow me to get some netting over it also for a fighting chance.

You may need to install a temporary sprinkler or speak nice to a neighbour to keep it moist while you are away. We also use holiday as an opportunity to level out areas that have become bumpy by spreading compost or topsoil over it. (My 2 are outdoor kids so grass takes a lot of abuse)

 

[Cartus]

I was under the impression that dog urine can damage grass and that, unless it's watered down immediately, it will die. Otherwise you can get "tough" grass that can withstand kids running around on it.

In my experience, a bitch's urine will kill grass but not a dog nearly as much.

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

Both genders will burn the grass if not diluted (watering can), the dog is slightly dehydrated or they go in the same spot repeatedly - but as Cartus said bicthes are far more likely to burn.

You then get amazing growth where it's not burnt - either a very strong patch or a fairy ring around the burn

 

[gman]

Yep the patches are from where he's been peeing despite being heavily diluted by the Scottish rain.

 

[beyond the blue]

Yep the patches are from where he's been peeing despite being heavily diluted by the Scottish rain.

It's nothing to do with the dog pee, it's the Scottish rain that's the problem, it's just not as good as English rain.

 

[jonbeeza]

I've got a relatively small area of grass in my garden, maybe 14 square yards, which has some big patches and although the rest is ok it's not the thickest lush bit of grass to be had. It's used daily by the dog and regularly played on by the children.

Does anyone know from experience and not Google which would be the best option going forward, grass seed or turf?

I had an area that I grassed over after I cleared the area of plants. I bought the grass seed from Wilko. It cost £5 for a 1kg box. I sowed the grass seed on the 15 April 2017.

Above Day 1

Above Day 14

Above Day 20

DAY 40

 

[jonbeeza]

Pretty easy to grow really, I did not think it would grow.
I do not let our dog wee on the lawn, as I really do think it ruins it. The patches she used to wee on, turned yellow and needed re-seeding. Looks OK now though.

 

[jonbeeza]

@gman The area I covered was only about three Square Yards. I had loads of seed left over from that small area that needed doing, and I scattered it here and there, on patches that our dog had ruined. Not bad for a fiver.



...Thanks

Your welcome.

 

[Cobra]

I had about 4 meters that needed re-seeding and some that needed "over seeding"
I bought Fast Grass and was more than happy with the result, it pretty much did as the advert says it will.

Although perhaps Sprogs and dogs maybe more to your liking?

 

[viv1969]

Dog pee contains nitrates that in themselves don't harm grass. But most dogs pee repeatedly in the same place, which provides far too much nitrates in those patches, hence the grass suffers. Hosing the grass daily dilutes and spreads the nitrates, to the benefit of the grass, but the bare patches that result from repeated exposure to the pee will need first ridding of the high levels of nitrates, and then reseeding.

 

[cosmicma]

whenever somebody mentions grass or lawns i just can't help thinking of flags

i'm no gardener iv'e even gone as far as spreading a large piece of artificial grass over the flags for the kids in the summer
works for me

 

[boyfalldown]

I was under the impression that dog urine can damage grass and that, unless it's watered down immediately, it will die. Otherwise you can get "tough" grass that can withstand kids running around on it.

Tends to be a problems with Bitches not both sexes

 

[omens]

Tends to be a problems with Bitches not both sexes

I don't have a dog, never have done and so will never know for sure. Is this some kind of territorial thing where dogs go around spreading urine but bitches sit in one spot?

 

[boyfalldown]

I don't have a dog, never have done and so will never know for sure. Is this some kind of territorial thing where dogs go around spreading urine but bitches sit in one spot?

I don't know TBH. I assumed not, but I'm often wrong. My dog tends to go in one spot in the garden - but I have artificial grass so don't know what if any attest he has on real grass

 

[jonbeeza]

I don't have a dog, never have done and so will never know for sure. Is this some kind of territorial thing where dogs go around spreading urine but bitches sit in one spot?

Our dog does have her preferred places to wee on, number twos she will deposit anywhere. The places in the garden where she has had a wee on, have been ruined. I have tidied it up and re-seeded the patches, looks OK now. I just make sure she no longer uses the grassed area.

 

[Cobra]

I don't know TBH. I assumed not, but I'm often wrong. My dog tends to go in one spot in the garden - but I have artificial grass so don't know what if any attest he has on real grass

Maybe because bitches tend to squat in one or two favoured spots, where as dogs like to scent mark most things that are upright, thereby "spreading it about a bit" ?

 

[jonbeeza]

Maybe because bitches tend to squat in one or two favoured spots, where as dogs like to scent mark most things that are upright, thereby "spreading it about a bit" ?

Ours certainly has her favoured spots to wee on. I have discouraged her from going on the grass and she now uses an un-grassed area.