Project: Grow Grass

Spring weather, at last! I finally got a chance to work in the garden over the weekend. I pruned and cleaned up my garden beds, and gently uncovered some of the mulch for the flower bulbs...not too much. After all, this is Michigan, and we could still get snow. I hear a big snowfall is heading to the more northern regions this week, but I think we will just get the rain.

In the meantime, we launched "Project: Grow Grass" this weekend.

This section of side yard has really taken a beating. It was basically a big stretch of mud. We raked everything, then spread some fertilizer, then spread grass seed. Finally, we covered some areas with a fine layer of straw.

Basically, the straw is to keep the grass seed from washing away when it rains, or when we have to water it. It also provides a little cover and protection for the young grass. After all, Jemma still owns the yard and there's no keeping her out of this area.

I hear that autumn is a good time to grow grass, as the ground is generally warmer. The only problem for us is that this is a very shady side next to the woods. We have to try to grow now, before the spring leaves emerge and form a canopy too thick for the sunlight to penetrate.

We also did a lot of overseeding in other areas of the yard, where Jemma and her big paws roam. We have never been all that successful at growing grass in any of our yards. We put down seed, and we water a little, but it never seems to make anything special happen. Does anyone have any tips? If this doesn't work, I may have to consider planting a ground cover in this area. We don't have a lot of grassy areas in this smaller yard, though, and I really think the dog needs it.

Would you look at this silly girl! This is what she did a few days after we came home from vacation. I guess she missed her mama!

Happy spring, cafe friends!