In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

Gary Brown wrote:
Hi,

Over the past years our lawn has turned to moss and I've been
unable to reverse it. I've overseeded, put down lime,
fertilizer, and moss killer. We live in Harvard, MA. The lawn
is small with trees right up to the edge.

We had three landscapers look at it,

The first was a local landscaper who said there was too much
shade (the trees have grown in the almost thirty years we've
lived here). He added that a lawn company would offer to
replant it for $2300 but would be dead again in a few years.

The second quoted $2200 to replant and promised shade
tolerant grass would work.

The third offered much the same but for only $1300.

I'm inclined to believe the first guy but, obviously, don't like
that answer.

I'm not sure how to go from here. Any suggestions? I don't
want to cut down trees and my wife doesn't want Astroturf. We
might be selling in a few years.

Thanks,
Gary

Why must you have lawn? Do you have small children or sporting people who
require a playing surface? There are many other ways to replant a small
semi-shaded area that would be more likely to endure in the long run. These
would not need mowing, fertilising watering etc as much as a lawn although
there is nothing (other than a wilderness) that is maintenance free. I would
have thought that any landscaper worth their pay would have suggested this.

David

Hmmm...

You have two problems Tree and Shade.

There are some strains of grass are shade tolerant like Fescue.
A Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue or Red Fescue strains. Many consider these
grass strains an invasive weed. Do it yourself, go with seed, over
seeding is a lot cheeper than planting sod.

The tree will also zap the nutrients from the grass as well. So more
watering and fertilizing will be needed. Also It depends on the type of
tree you have. Some trees produce compounds that just kill off grass and
some plants, like the Black Walnut tree. I have not seen too many places
in the natural world where grass and trees get along.

You could put a decorative hard edge landscaping border just outside the
tree line filled with a colorful mulch (not cheap). Grass on the other
side of the boarder. This method is far from maintenance free.

Some Mosses can look just as good as grass. Need less cutting.
Personally - I would take this option. It is often best to work with
nature than fight nature.

Enjoy Life... Dan

--
Garden in Zone 5 South East Michigan.