The Grass Doctor

Can grass grow with cedar chips?

Thanks for your help all, the scenario is this, I'm living in an apartment with a backyard that used to be a flower and vegetable garden. We took over the irrigation system and the garden when we moved in. We want to make a small backyard with grass and flower beds. There was a whole floor of cedar chips about 20' x 20'. Question is, if I was to mix in the soil with cedar chips would it be possible to grow grass in that mixture? My first plan is to lay down an insecticide to get rid of the earwig infestation, then shortly after, start growing grass when the temperature dies down. Southern California, grass choice is Tall Fescue.

Public Comments

1. Just put a couple of inches of soil atop the chips...the roots will establish and find their way through the chips to the ground below. Just keep it watered.
2. NO, NO, NO!!!! First of all, don't worry about the earwigs -- they are not going to be a problem with your lawn. If you REALLY want to get rid of them it is VERY easy and VERY GREEN!!! Roll up a section of newspaper, fasten with a rubber band. Soak the newspaper in water. Set the rolls out in your yard in the afternoon. Pick them up in the morning and drop into plastic bags and tie shut -- drop in your garbage can!!! Earwigs LOVE wet dark places and will seek out your paper rolls!!! Repeat until they are all gone!! Here is what I suggest: use the chips to build a pathway all round your lawn area or between the lawn and the flower beds (so you can walk out and see what is growing!!). If you mound the chips up several inches deep, it will prevent weeds and make a nice walkway. (I get chips every year from "Tree Guys" to make my walkways). BTW - CEDAR chips are the best that you can get -- since they discourage most bugs!!! You have a month or more before you should plant seed in So. CAL. In the mean time, you should be preparing the soil, rototilling, adding in mulch/ humus, etc. BTW, you should consider DWARF tall Fescue. It is MUCH hardier, does not need to be mowed as often, a choice of landscape folks!!! Also, you should consider LESS grass, MORE flower beds, MORE walkways (in your NATURALLY semi-desert area!!!). Good Luck!!