Several issues here; Starting with the easiest.
1. The back yard has all kinds of ruts/bumps/holes in it. It's not very smooth (but it's not moles) and I'd like to smooth out those rough areas. Do I want to use landscaping sand to level out the yard?
2. Bare spots. There is a huge bare area in the middle of the back yard. Not only does this part of the yard get the most sun, the sprinkler coverage is not very good in this area. Unfortunately I cannot adjust the sprinklers spray pattern (I mean the steam effect vs. wide spray effect) b/c the craptastic heads have a HEX HEAD screw on them for that adjustment, and it's full of mud and debris so I can't get the little tool into the hex hole and turn the screw. I need to add a head to overlap areas as one was removed when I installed a new padio last year. How else can I promote growth in the bare spot? Till up the soil so the SA has something to grab onto other than bare hard ground?
3. Soil conditions - will lime granuals help under the pine trees? There is a group of 4 small ones behind the garage and the grass is just dead in patches all around those trees?
4. Back along the fence there is a 6" wide dead patch that runs for about 15-feet. The grass right upto that 6" bare spot is green and full but it refuses to grow out across that dead area. I've even tilled up the soil along that area and no luck. It's like someone poured Round up along that area, and keeps doing it every month or so. Same along the area right behind my garage. Note that the pine trees in note 3 above are right in that same area.
Most of the yard looks OK considering the heat and lack of rain. I've got the water going ~3x per week with 1"+ total water. My neighbor waters every day and his grass is green and lush. My understanding is that while his grass may look good, less frequent watering is better for the root structure and grass health? True?
[This message has been edited by agracer (edited 7/20/2011 1:21p).]
1. The back yard has all kinds of ruts/bumps/holes in it. It's not very smooth (but it's not moles) and I'd like to smooth out those rough areas. Do I want to use landscaping sand to level out the yard?
2. Bare spots. There is a huge bare area in the middle of the back yard. Not only does this part of the yard get the most sun, the sprinkler coverage is not very good in this area. Unfortunately I cannot adjust the sprinklers spray pattern (I mean the steam effect vs. wide spray effect) b/c the craptastic heads have a HEX HEAD screw on them for that adjustment, and it's full of mud and debris so I can't get the little tool into the hex hole and turn the screw. I need to add a head to overlap areas as one was removed when I installed a new padio last year. How else can I promote growth in the bare spot? Till up the soil so the SA has something to grab onto other than bare hard ground?
3. Soil conditions - will lime granuals help under the pine trees? There is a group of 4 small ones behind the garage and the grass is just dead in patches all around those trees?
4. Back along the fence there is a 6" wide dead patch that runs for about 15-feet. The grass right upto that 6" bare spot is green and full but it refuses to grow out across that dead area. I've even tilled up the soil along that area and no luck. It's like someone poured Round up along that area, and keeps doing it every month or so. Same along the area right behind my garage. Note that the pine trees in note 3 above are right in that same area.
Most of the yard looks OK considering the heat and lack of rain. I've got the water going ~3x per week with 1"+ total water. My neighbor waters every day and his grass is green and lush. My understanding is that while his grass may look good, less frequent watering is better for the root structure and grass health? True?
[This message has been edited by agracer (edited 7/20/2011 1:21p).]