7/23    I seem to remember there being some people here who knew a bit
        about landscaping issues:  I'm about to get sod put in my front
        yard and want to a small grass that doesn't grow fast (I hate mowing)
        my wife wants blades that aren't too thick and look good.  Advice?
        and what does "very little thatch" mean ?
        \_ If you live in Irvine, make sure you go through the home-owner's
           association approval process. Submit an application and make sure
           the type of grass match with one of the 2 they approve. Also
           if you're painting, you have about 4 colors to choose from,
           depending on the colors of your neighbors and their color
           matching schemes. And if you're not careful you'll get penalized
           $200 the first month for breaking any of their aesthetic rules.
           That's how much my sister got fined. Also do NOT install
           satellite dishes visible from the streets. Make sure your kids
           don't go out alone after 9PM, they have a night and weekend curfew
           for kids under 18.
        \_ Where do you live and how much sun does the spot get? Do you
           have sprinklers?