Keeping a Yard with Wild Boxers

[MKAD]

I am looking for any and all advice on landscaping tips for a backyard that has been worn down by my babies.
Has anyone faced a similar situation and what did you do to semi-reclaim your yard? Sod? Grass? Stone? Fake grass?
I am desperate!!!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Mary

 

[BT and Ozzy]

I would like some advice too!!! I have the same problem. There is a shed in the middle of my back yard with a big dirt or mud ring around it where they run. It seems like every time it rains or snows it gets worse. PLEASE HELP!

 

[sschleper]

seems like a trend!!!

My yard is destroyed also!!!

My DH and i were looking into solutions. we decided part of the problem is drainage on or property so in the spring we are going to install a french drain/well and relocate the areas where water sit with a trench. the other thing we want to do but can be costly is we have a small amount of topsiol then the ground is mostly clay. We would like to rip up the grass and what little topsoil then dig out a bunch of clay then add a TON of topsoil and mix it around with what clay is left. then either sod or seed. If you dont have a good base for the grass it will just rip right up like our mud pit. There are also certain ways of watering that will force the grass roots to go deeper.. i wonder if that would help?

Obvioulsy we havent done any of it yet and we have no idea of this will help but anything is worth a try!!! when we first moved in the house the yard was lush and green... hahahaha now the previous owner would DIE if she saw the yard!!

I would love to know what others have done that has worked.

On a side note i doubt rocks are a good idea for 2 reasons... 1) they will tear up thier feet is my guess if your pups are anything like mine they wont care that thier feet are getting destroyed they will still run like crazy!! 2) they just make for good toys /choking hazard/teeth destroyers etc hahaha!!

 

[MKAD]

My yard is destroyed also!!!

My DH and i were looking into solutions. we decided part of the problem is drainage on or property so in the spring we are going to install a french drain/well and relocate the areas where water sit with a trench. the other thing we want to do but can be costly is we have a small amount of topsiol then the ground is mostly clay. We would like to rip up the grass and what little topsoil then dig out a bunch of clay then add a TON of topsoil and mix it around with what clay is left. then either sod or seed. If you dont have a good base for the grass it will just rip right up like our mud pit. There are also certain ways of watering that will force the grass roots to go deeper.. i wonder if that would help?

Obvioulsy we havent done any of it yet and we have no idea of this will help but anything is worth a try!!! when we first moved in the house the yard was lush and green... hahahaha now the previous owner would DIE if she saw the yard!!

I would love to know what others have done that has worked.

On a side note i doubt rocks are a good idea for 2 reasons... 1) they will tear up thier feet is my guess if your pups are anything like mine they wont care that thier feet are getting destroyed they will still run like crazy!! 2) they just make for good toys /choking hazard/teeth destroyers etc hahaha!!

Thanks for the info. I can relate- my home's previous owner would freak out if they saw the backyard. It went from Better Home & Garden style to a nasty mud pit!

 

[boxerlove45]

mess

i honestly think there is really no solution..i cringe when i know alot of rain is coming..thank god they are mostly on deck except there run witch forget it when it rains, then i got to let them in the front yard .i like when i let them out in the morning and the ground is frozen..so much easier and nonmessy...

 

[undercg]

I'm thinking of artificial grass myself. I was at a friend's house and commented on how well her yard lookd considering she has 3 Samoyeds. Turns out her lovely lawn was fake. I really didn't realize it until I stepped on it. She has had it a couple of years and really likes it.

 

[Box Boys]

Does one have an artificial grass installed or is it something you can do yourself. Where would you get the materials? Gee...that would be great for several reasons: (1) no mud or a nasty looking back yard (2) no pesty weeds or the need to have your lawn treated, and (3) no mowing required!

 

[undercg]

Does one have an artificial grass installed or is it something you can do yourself. Where would you get the materials? Gee...that would be great for several reasons: (1) no mud or a nasty looking back yard (2) no pesty weeds or the need to have your lawn treated, and (3) no mowing required!

Well, she had it done professionaly. My nextdoor neighbor did a patch in her backyard. She got the "grass" at Costco and they installed it themselves over a weekend. When I peer over the fence it looks nice. But then, she has a small dog.

 

[caruse]

My yard is a lost cause...it now belongs to the boxers...
Barbara lovicon

 

[dbetz]

We are seriously considering fake grass. Our "lawn" is a disaster and we have a bale of straw spread out over it to keep the mud down. It works wonders. If I manage to hang on to my job - which is looking more and more positive - a fake lawn is what we're going to do this spring.