Misty Jac

Thanks- I did fertilize (I think it was ringer?) and spread coffee grounds last year from starbucks. We also aerated twice. It may just be that the lawn is still hibernating, but I highly suspect the soil is too shallow to allow it to root deeply enough.

I'll try digging a larger hold to see if there are a lot of rocks later this afternoon- if not, I would certainly consider using a root crop. Is daikon radish the best one? I'm slightly hesitant about doing anything too far out in my front yard, as we're on a cul de sac with matching houses. It might look funny. That being said, the daikon appears to look like a weed from what I can tell, and we have lots of those already. Definitely an option for the back (which has a shady section growing a lot more moss than grass right now). Should I get the soil tested as well, to see if I need add lime or anything?

Last year I added several bags of topsoil to my small front lawn, re-seeded, and cut high. This spring- my lawn looks just as bare and patchy as it did last year (though by fall last year, I did get it looking fairly lush when I kept it growing high).

If I dig down with as hovel, I have about 3" of soil before I hit a hard clay/several rocks substance. My lawn has VERY poor drainage. I live in BC< and when it rains- we have a small pool in our front yard. Seriously, the water puddles on the top when it rains hard.

Is the best option here to get a digger and remove 6-8" of soil, replace with proper soil, and reseed? Our neighbours did it and it looks great, but a lot of work. I see some people try digging worm holes every 10 feet or so first. Does that actually help turn the clay into soil? Will it work, or does it take years?

I want a near maintenance free lawn, ASAP. I know, I'm lazy. But if that meas pulling it all out and starting from scratch I can do that.