| Author |
Message |
    
cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 42
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 11:03 am: |     |
There is a portion of our front lawn that always gives us trouble. It gets shady there during the summer months and the grass dies, and every spring almost none of the grass comes back and have to re-seed. Last week our gardener destroyed whatever grass came back with his leaf blowers (spring fever I think). We're thinking of putting sod down on this portion to avoid re-seeding every year and the frustration - has any one had any experiences with sod in difficult areas as opposed to seeding? Any thoughts on sod versus seed would be appreciated. Thanks! |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4954
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 11:20 am: | |
I think it is hard to find sod that is grown with shade tolerant seed, or so we were told several years ago by a landscaper.
My suggestion would be to prepare the area very carefully, add peat moss and such and mix up a batch of various seed types in the hope one of them will like the conditions and thrive. Works for me about 75% of the time.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 2057
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:01 pm: | |
i agree. The sod will look good for one summer, but it won't hold up. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 31
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:24 pm: | |
If/when you finally get sick of fighting with the portion of your lawn that won't grow grass, you might want to consider designing a space that works with the shade. For example, you could put in a bed of ground cover (like pacasandra (sp?) and there are many other shade-tolerant ground covers - some with pretty flowers), or ferns (which do really well in the shade and look really lush). You could also put in a rough stone patio (with spaces between the stones filled in with moss or something) with a bench or two - which would allow you to actually use the space.
Nature is nature and sometimes, if you can't beat 'em you have to join 'em.
Handygirl |
Boozy the Clown
Citizen
Username: Boozy
Post Number: 31
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:30 pm: | |
chainsaw vs. tree. the chainsaw always wins and sunlight is your reward. |
Wendyn
Citizen
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 159
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:58 pm: | |
I agree with handy. I would avoid pacasandra unless you can contain it well because it grows like a weed. It is evergreen and can look very nice though. But maybe section off the shadey area and put some nice shade tolerant plants in.
The front of our house is shadey and we have window boxes. I love peonys and other sunny flowers but I usually put in impatients because I know they will thrive (as longs as I remember to water them). |
themp
Citizen
Username: Themp
Post Number: 649
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 9:31 pm: | |
It might be a soil problem, because grass will grow in pretty shady spots. Is it clay with shallow roots? |
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