Grass for small yard with heavy traffic. - Ask Extension
I don't know what type of soil I have. I have a very small yard for my dog and the grass that's here doesn't stand up to the use. I need to know what ...
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Grass for small yard with heavy traffic. #890267
Asked November 25, 2024, 10:47 AM EST
I don't know what type of soil I have. I have a very small yard for my dog and the grass that's here doesn't stand up to the use. I need to know what I can do to have a yard that works for my situation. Thank you.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Judy,
If your yard gets a lot of traffic, you'll need to shift your management of the area and do more "sports turf" practices. This would include additional fertilization (in order to get the grass to grow and recover) and likely more water...or more regular water applications.
Typical home lawns are fertilized with 2-3 pounds of nitrogen each year. Sports turf can be fertilized with 10-12 pounds of nitrogen - just to encourage recovery and recuperation. I am not recommending you fertilize that much, but if doing 2-3 applications of fertilizer will be important.
Also, you may need to do some regular overseeding with grass seed. Ideally you would poke holes and seed into the holes, but if the yard is getting traffic from a dog, they will probably push the seed into the soil as they play.
The best species for high traffic areas (that are cool season) are Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass. Ryegrass tends to germinate really quickly and is often used for sports turf. You can also get a mix of bluegrass-ryegrass (like 80%-20%). Seed will keep for a couple of years if kept cool and dry.
If you seed just Kentucky bluegrass, aim to apply about 3 pounds/1000 square feet. If it's just perennial ryegrass, it's 6 pounds/1000 square feet. If it's the mix, go for about 5 pounds/1000 square feet.
But management will be the most important effort. Inputs = better turf growth and quality.
If your yard gets a lot of traffic, you'll need to shift your management of the area and do more "sports turf" practices. This would include additional fertilization (in order to get the grass to grow and recover) and likely more water...or more regular water applications.
Typical home lawns are fertilized with 2-3 pounds of nitrogen each year. Sports turf can be fertilized with 10-12 pounds of nitrogen - just to encourage recovery and recuperation. I am not recommending you fertilize that much, but if doing 2-3 applications of fertilizer will be important.
Also, you may need to do some regular overseeding with grass seed. Ideally you would poke holes and seed into the holes, but if the yard is getting traffic from a dog, they will probably push the seed into the soil as they play.
The best species for high traffic areas (that are cool season) are Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass. Ryegrass tends to germinate really quickly and is often used for sports turf. You can also get a mix of bluegrass-ryegrass (like 80%-20%). Seed will keep for a couple of years if kept cool and dry.
If you seed just Kentucky bluegrass, aim to apply about 3 pounds/1000 square feet. If it's just perennial ryegrass, it's 6 pounds/1000 square feet. If it's the mix, go for about 5 pounds/1000 square feet.
But management will be the most important effort. Inputs = better turf growth and quality.
