Looking for a yard/woods grass that fits these criteria:

[Dennis S]

This can't be mowed for probably years.

[Thrift Store Scott]

Dennis S wrote:
This can't be mowed for probably years.

Fescue might not be the way to go, then... unless you can find a particularly short variety.

Rather than, or at least in addition to landscapers, I'd call your local county agricultural extension office and ask what their recommendations are for planting the area, particularly native plants or grasses.

In the short term slinging a couple of bags of wildflower seed over the whole area couldn't hurt either, but since it's already almost June you'd probably want to go with the Fall variety mix if you have a choice.

[d4]

Out of curiosity, do you have before and after pics? And why did you cut down your trees in the first place if you didn't want clear space?

[modelamac]

Every reasonable and/or cheap solution we offer is going to be beyond your physical abilities. To solve your problem, you need outside help. Boy Scouts? 4H? FFA? You should have something you can offer in return.

[rgG]

If you don't do the prep, removing the debris, IMHO, you are just throwing your money away.
Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but good prep is at least 75%, probably higher, what you need to ensure that anything you plant grows and does well.
If you don't do anything, it will weed up on its own and cover as well as anything.
I know you want it to look better now, but unless you can get it cleared, you should just leave it as is and let nature take its course.

[cbelt3]

Are you able to mow the area ? You can 'prep' by scalping down to the lowest level with a mower, bagging the debris or just scattering it on the yard. If you want to grow grass on top of the pine needles you will have to dump a lot of lime on the soil.... pine trees 'self mulch' by dropping very acidic needles that kill off undergrowth.

I handled the same situation at my inlaws house after we had to take down a couple of pine trees.

[Dennis S]

Mowing is out of the question. It's like a tornado came through. Each square foot has broken branches of all sizes, pine needles, leaves, bark, and dirt clumps. A rake would do no good. A tractor would be too expensive. Clover would be a pretty good solution but I have to wait until winter for that. What I want is a heavy grass that can be planted in the summer and will take off without the ground having to be raked. And, that will cover the organic debris and let it break down until the clover can be used, if it's still needed.

[Thrift Store Scott]

Dennis S wrote:
Mowing is out of the question. It's like a tornado came through. Each square foot has broken branches of all sizes, pine needles, leaves, bark, and dirt clumps. A rake would do no good. A tractor would be too expensive. Clover would be a pretty good solution but I have to wait until winter for that. What I want is a heavy grass that can be planted in the summer and will take off without the ground having to be raked. And, that will cover the organic debris and let it break down until the clover can be used, if it's still needed.

Pretty much any grass will need a clear/raked space to take hold and only vines will cover organic debris.

RgG's idea of just letting it weed up on it's own is by far the easiest one to implement and won't look any worse than trying to plant grass seeds amongst organic debris.

I take it you're going with a hard "No" on my wildflower idea, which would have the same net effect as rgG's suggestion except with the added bonus of guaranteed pretty blooms?

[rgG]

Couldn’t hurt to scatter a bag or two of wildflower seeds out there. You can usually get some big bags of a Wildflower Mix at HD, this time of year.

As Scott says, you might get some pretty flowers among the stuff that come up naturally.
If you can’t mow, wildflowers are your best bet to improve what will happen naturally, and you might help feed the pollinators.

[Dennis S]

Thrift Store Scott wrote:
[quote=Dennis S]
Mowing is out of the question. It's like a tornado came through. Each square foot has broken branches of all sizes, pine needles, leaves, bark, and dirt clumps. A rake would do no good. A tractor would be too expensive. Clover would be a pretty good solution but I have to wait until winter for that. What I want is a heavy grass that can be planted in the summer and will take off without the ground having to be raked. And, that will cover the organic debris and let it break down until the clover can be used, if it's still needed.

Pretty much any grass will need a clear/raked space to take hold and only vines will cover organic debris.

RgG's idea of just letting it weed up on it's own is by far the easiest one to implement and won't look any worse than trying to plant grass seeds amongst organic debris.

I take it you're going with a hard "No" on my wildflower idea, which would have the same net effect as rgG's suggestion except with the added bonus of guaranteed pretty blooms?
No, I'm going with a hard "Yes" with the wild flowers. I just filed it away in my head and forgot to respond.