Lawn maintenance questions

[zarapipe]

Out lawn is a mess. We live in WEstern NC on a large lot, about 1.5 acres. It’s all grass, hilly, with a small pond. It did have huge, massive flower beds that we could never maintain so we removed them and planted grass to the best of our abilities. We have also taken down massive trees. We have huge bare spots and so many weeds. We are in a rural area if that makes a difference. I got a quote to clear the yard of leaves and sticks (a ton) put weed killer down, hydro seed the bare spots, overseed, fertilize, and lime the rest of it. It came to $3k. I’m having a hard time spending this on something that is so intangible. Will it really help? Will it be money wasted? The guy has great references and has been doing this for years. It’s easier spending money I think on something I can see or picture at the end. I kind of want to re-do our back porch handrails for $3k instead but the yard bothers me a lot. Idk what the question is other than do you regret or have you been happy with money you spent on your lawn?

[winecat]

Could you plant something less resource intensive than grass? My neighbors have clover that looks like grass from a distance and wild flowers. It’s very low maintenance and xeriscape.

[winecat]

Here are some ideas: www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=12531

[Susie]

I would have a hard time spending $3k on it, especially if I wasn't sure I had the interest/commitment/ability to maintain it.  Unlike other house projects, having a nice lawn isn't just a one time [effort or expense] of getting the grass growing and then putting it on autopilot.  Whatever factors got your lawn to where it is now, need to be addressed in order to be successful in the future, maybe it's a lack of irrigation during dry spells, fertilizing, or other maintenance to keep it thick and healthy.  I would be wary of spending $$$ unless you're prepared to either do the maintenance or spend more money on hiring it out.

Personally I DIY mine, but if you want lower maintenance, I'd look at creating some beds that have ground cover on them that don't require as much maintenance as either turf or flowers.  Pachysandra comes to mind for shady areas.

[InBetweenDays]

Ditto the previous posters. Personally I wouldn't put that much money into trying to maintain a lawn that big, and we also won't use weed killer or traditional fertilizer on our yard. I also wouldn't recommend others spend that much unless they were willing to continually put in the money or effort to maintain the lawn.

Can you let some of the yard go natural? Native plants, taller grasses, etc.?

[zarapipe]

Thanks all. We decided to skip the $3k and are using our guy who mows our lawn to blow the leaves, pick up sticks, re mulch our beds, seed the few big bare spots and add some gravel the our driveway for $1k. This get us at least a few bare spots filled and other things that need done as well (mulch and gravel).