Native Plants

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Saturday - October 23, 2010

From: Hancock, NH
Region: Northeast
Topic: Compost and Mulch, Soils, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Turf grasses and alternatives for NH
Answered by: Anne Bossart

QUESTION:

I live in Hancock, NH, just north of Peterborough. We just bought a relatively new house that pretty-much has no lawn and minimal landscaping. Can you (or anyone) suggest native lawn grass alternative ideas that would work well, both aesthetically as well as providing some durability and softness for playing children. I have heard of mosses and such, as well as taller grasses. Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions deemed pertinent.

ANSWER:

You don't mention anything about the conditions in which the lawn needs to grow. New construction generally means a lot that has been stripped of topsoil, there is little shade and what soil there is is compacted due to construction euqipment. That means that most of the rain or irrigation water runs off instead of infiltrating the soil. Needless to say, that is a very tough environment for any plant to live in. In my experience, it takes about five years for a lawn to overcome these conditions and start to fill in.

If this pretty much describes your situation, you should be concentrating your efforts on improving your soil. Aerate the soil and topdress with compost and natural fertilizer every fall and overseed while the soil is still warm.