Location is central Fl. Appreciate any suggestions.
Hollimarker
Don’t let kids play outside. Don’t they have iPhones or something they can play on? /s
bluecat2001
If kids use the area infrequently, don’t water before they are there and water afterwards.
Or motion activated sprinklers.
dgiber2
What is that ninja warrior thing?
mashpotato70
Artificial grass
InevitableNo7342
I’m in far northern US and have a similar (but worse) problem. I gave up and put down playground wood chips. Less mud inside and it looks like we did something on purpose. Once they are old enough to be bored with playing outside or move out, we will have grass again.
Known-Computer-4932
Aerate it twice per year and see if it improves.
_comtage_
If kids are using the area a lot, which obvs they are, then the grass is going to give way to weeds followed by just dirt patches as the ground gets more and more compacted. If you are insistent on keeping the grass aeration is going to need to be frequent, as well as seeding and fertilizer. Also may need to consider pre and post emergents, not while seeding. I work with facility mgmt and now I specifically do landscaping for schools and large businesses. The true, safest, and most economical way is to put down sand, ground tires, or other safe and rated material for a child’s playground. I like the grated tires we used those for our subdivision and we see less weeds, no scraped knees, and no sand getting into everything. Also a father so I appreciate no sand. Get a quote.
Little edit, I’m currently in South Carolina but I grew up in Florida and my licenses are valid in both states. One low income housing facility insisted on us using mulch, which the kids there kept getting hurt on, so after two years we had to go back through, take out the mulch, we put down anti weed mats, and then the rubber “mulch” (tire bits, yes they are clean). Now the kids use the playground again. They weren’t since the wood mulch.
JediKRevan_1989
Get rid of the kids, problem solved
the_kid1234
In the north I have used an athletic blend. I’d imagine there is a good Bermuda athletic blend for you. I’d probably try to start fresh, pick a known, good blend and let it grow in without traffic for a bit. Then the above comments to fertilize and aerate would be my next steps.
launching_cookies
The way I see it, you’ve got a few options….
1) put a lot of money and effort into maintaining grass.
2) put a lot of money into a more functional yard. As one other redditor said, you could put playground mulch down (don’t know if there are other options for a playground). And if you want to spruce it up, add a garden, add trees, etc…
3) live with what ya got.
Me3stR
The best kind of problem to have with your lawn: Own kids are enjoying it too much.
The_Real_Flatmeat
Aerate it to help with compaction. Can be done any time of year
13 Comments
Location is central Fl. Appreciate any suggestions.
Don’t let kids play outside. Don’t they have iPhones or something they can play on? /s
If kids use the area infrequently, don’t water before they are there and water afterwards.
Or motion activated sprinklers.
What is that ninja warrior thing?
Artificial grass
I’m in far northern US and have a similar (but worse) problem. I gave up and put down playground wood chips. Less mud inside and it looks like we did something on purpose. Once they are old enough to be bored with playing outside or move out, we will have grass again.
Aerate it twice per year and see if it improves.
If kids are using the area a lot, which obvs they are, then the grass is going to give way to weeds followed by just dirt patches as the ground gets more and more compacted. If you are insistent on keeping the grass aeration is going to need to be frequent, as well as seeding and fertilizer. Also may need to consider pre and post emergents, not while seeding. I work with facility mgmt and now I specifically do landscaping for schools and large businesses. The true, safest, and most economical way is to put down sand, ground tires, or other safe and rated material for a child’s playground. I like the grated tires we used those for our subdivision and we see less weeds, no scraped knees, and no sand getting into everything. Also a father so I appreciate no sand. Get a quote.
Little edit, I’m currently in South Carolina but I grew up in Florida and my licenses are valid in both states. One low income housing facility insisted on us using mulch, which the kids there kept getting hurt on, so after two years we had to go back through, take out the mulch, we put down anti weed mats, and then the rubber “mulch” (tire bits, yes they are clean). Now the kids use the playground again. They weren’t since the wood mulch.
Get rid of the kids, problem solved
In the north I have used an athletic blend. I’d imagine there is a good Bermuda athletic blend for you. I’d probably try to start fresh, pick a known, good blend and let it grow in without traffic for a bit. Then the above comments to fertilize and aerate would be my next steps.
The way I see it, you’ve got a few options….
1) put a lot of money and effort into maintaining grass.
2) put a lot of money into a more functional yard. As one other redditor said, you could put playground mulch down (don’t know if there are other options for a playground). And if you want to spruce it up, add a garden, add trees, etc…
3) live with what ya got.
The best kind of problem to have with your lawn: Own kids are enjoying it too much.
Aerate it to help with compaction. Can be done any time of year