Marianne's Response
New Lawn
Hi Marianne!
We are in Manorwood in Puyallup. The previous owners never put down good soil for the front lawn/garden beds. We have had an excavator company come out and remove about 6 inches deep of the existing soil. We also removed the Cyrus trees in the yard, for the tree roots were invading everything including the lawn. So we will staring with a fresh canvas.
My questions for you are:
1) What type of soil mix should we have delivered for both the lawn and the flower beds? The class I took from you at the Wind Mill, I thought you mentioned sandy loam? Maybe not.
2) We are thinking of getting a Hydroseed company to spray the lawn in VS laying sod. Opinion? And what type of seed will produce a thick, tough but still able to sit on, beautiful lawn suitable for this area?
3) Any recommendations of companies to use for the soil and the Hydroseed?
4) Any recommendations of landscaping ideas for plants and to create privacy from the nosy neighbor next door? The old retaining wall near the street is coming down, and a new aggragate concrete small 2 tiered wall is going in.
Thank you so much! My husband said to me “contact that lady you always talk so highly of!” Believe me, you are on a pedestal at my house 🙂
Sincerely,
Debbie Owens
3607 26th St SE
Puyallup, WA 98374
Posted by Debbie Owens on July 2, 2018
Marianne's Response
- For lawns in our area sandy loam is best. Sometimes sold as 5 way mix - ask for the best soil for a new lawn.
- Hydroseeding is a great option and the one advantage that hydroseeding has over sod is you may be able to request a more drought resistant type of seed. The newer (and more expensive) grass seeds use a lot less water to stay green. Go with a seed mix for Northwest cool season climate. Sod tends to do best in full sun lawns and is more expensive but weed free. Weeds will blow into your hydroseeded lawn but should be easy to control in a small lawn.
- I do not make specific recommendations for local companies - you are lucky to have several soil suppliers in your area.
- I love the idea of a two tiered wall. Check out the dwarf conifers at local nurseries and use a few with weeping forms to drape over your wall. Don't forget you can use a screening lattice (one of rusted iron or silver metal would be cool) for instant privacy and then add vines to act like lace curtains for screening. Algerian ivy, clematis or evergreen jasmine are some ideas.
- Enjoy the process! You are off to a good start so Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti
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