Cleanin' Up & Grass question.

theboman · Mar 7, 2003

Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Tomorrow 3/8/03 it's supposed to hit the mid to upper 60s and I'm a thinkin' I'll clean up some tree damage from the ice storm 3 weeks ago, toss down some grass seed in places that need TLC and may haul my brand spanking new RV down and start cleaning off the winter black streaks.

Question. In part of my yard there are 4 15 year old maple trees that provides a lot of shade. In the spring the grass grows but by late summer it's disappears. I've used shade mix seed and it didn't seem to last any longer than whatever the grass was already growing there. So, what's a great grass for shady, very shady lawn?

Hoeman00 · Mar 8, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

It isn't the shade, it's the dry ground under the trees because the roots are taking ALL the water.
I'm 150 miles north of u and in the drought area, I don't think u have had the water either.
I haven't done any digging w/ the hoes yet this spring but last fall the ground around us was powder WAY down.
I think we needed lots more rain then we got.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 8, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Bo,
You ever heard of Kentucky 31 (since you are from Kentucky /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) it works well for me,Try planting some "Blue Grass" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I could not resist saying that.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kyoders · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Fred/Tim/Bo,

While living in Ohio, I don't recall ever seeing the Kentucky-31 (and I did a major lawn renovation just before moving). It seems to be the prevalent grass around here. It does seem to do well around here, even in partial shade (less than 4 hours of sun/day).

Kevin

theboman · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

I;ll check it out. I've use the heavy shade mixes, playground mixes and they do great until the trees get heavy with leaves and then the grass disappears.
I even tossed down a bags and bags of topsoil and fertilizer to see if that would help and it'd didn't do a thing.
Kentucky 31 is next on my list.

RobS · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Bo, you may be out of luck under those maples. They have very shallow root systems and are heavy feeders. They'll take all the water and nutrients away from the grass. You might be better off putting in some edging and mulching around them. The trees would probably be better off for that as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

hazmat · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

How low are the lowest branches? Grass needs 4 hours of sun minimum. Have you done a soil test? Ph can get screwed up from leaves (Oak is the worst).

Cornell University Lawn Care - Shade

theboman · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

I have all the low limbs remove for ROPS height, and this area is in complete shade in most the area most of the day. I'm sure theres a few light rays that make it thru, and it gets some morning sun but that's all.
No soil test. It's not the greatest soil on this part of the yard, but in the past 3 years they've been a lot of additives from leaves, horse manure, bags of top soil and some sand.
I've a notion to order a load of top soil and some straw and go that route, but I kind think it's a shade thing and no matter how wet and how rich the dirt is, without sunshine that grass won't last long.

Egon · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Just wondering but perhaps the trees have a self defence system that enables them to keep vegetation competion down. I've read mature walnut trees do this.

Egon

Anonymous Poster · Mar 11, 2003

Re: Cleanin\' Up & Grass question.

Instead of grass plant a shade garden. There's hundreds of varities of Hosta's that thrive in the shade and in just about any kind of soil. The grow like crazy in home made compost and every couple years you can split them to expand the garden.