So I've built child a playground for their birthday. Dad of the year, please hold your applause. Only problem is I underestimated the slope of my yard like the strength of 5 long island ice teas. I'm kinda fucked. The pic doesn't do my yard justice, nothing was flat. I'm still digging behind to lessen the slope, and I need to add slope about 6'radius from the slide from left to right. The dirt is to say the least, slicker than my mom after 5 long islands. I live just on the border of warm or cool grass. My lawn is predominantly cool grass and weeds.
Now my question, I know it's not best practice to plant cool in the spring, but I need to remedy this dirty slip and slide as soon as possible. Could I plant warm grass in the spring, then cool grass in the fall? Just plant cool grass in the spring? Clover the whole thing?!
by ChiefDrowningBear
6 Comments
Synthetic for the win.
Cool season will never hold up to the traffic.
Warm season won’t do it in the shade.
Wood chips.
I was confused if you were complaining about the slope or the grass but I kind of get it now. Honestly, I’m not sure why you butchered so much of your yard… a simple hole in the ground for your post and where the set meets the ground would have done instead of leveling so much of it. Idk hard to say without being there. I think your grass is going to get destroyed by foot traffic no matter what you do and who wants to mow and weed eat around all of that everytime? I agree with the guy that said synthetic. If you want real grass I need to know the state you live in. I’d say Bermuda (warm season) or something self-regenerating personally. Something that holds up to high foot traffic. Maybe KBG or rye grass if you are looking for cool grass.
I did a play-set for my kids as well 2 years ago. Added a protective stain coat to the outside and it still looks like new except for the horizontal boards that go above the slide. You really should consider something to absorb impact if they fall. I went with rubber mulch all around container by a 6” border that has 2’ stakes into the ground. I’m happy with it… I would have considered wood mulch but I’ve had issues with home damaging potential insects before when I used it (termites, roaches, ants, etc).
I just mulched my play area. It takes a lot but it’s better and safer to get like 4-6 inches of mulch base. Maybe like 6-12 inches. For reference I topped mine up this year with like 5 yards or so.
Wood chips.
Barring that if you want an immediate grass fix pick up some “contractor blend” or erosion control grass seed.
It germinates fast but will die in 3-6 months
I put turf under my set, nothing held up to the use from my kids