How do I grow grass in a tree shaded yard and the ground is very compacted?

Question

I want to be able to grow grass up to the trees so it won't die out and also prepare a garden between the trees. I'm new to working a yard and I need help.

I need plants that grow in Michigan

Answer 1

Growing grass underneath trees is tricky. Especially if your ground is compacted. Are these trees or evergreens? Growing grass underneath an evergreen is different than under trees (and even tougher to pull off). One approach is to rototill the ground under the trees - but good luck, since the tree roots will probably make this tough, if not impossible. Next plant "shade" grass. This is a mix you should be able to find at any nursery or garden center with grass specifically mixed to grow in the shade. You need to loosen up the dirt before sowing your grass (you can do this manually if the rototiller doesn't work, but it's alot of work), and then gently press the seeds into the dirt and cover them with soil using the back side of a rake to make sure the seeds get good ground contact. Cover them with a thin layer of straw (not hay, cuz that might have weeds in it), and water it daily for about 15-20 minutes until the seedings show.
As far as your garden goes, I'm hoping you're talking about planting flowers and not veggies. Most vegetable gardens need at least 6 hours of sun, and it doesn't sound like that's the case here. If you want to grow flowers, I'd be happy to give you a list of shade growers. All I need to know is where you live so I can tell what might grow in your area. (a rough estimate is fine, no need for the name of the town....LOL).

Answer 2

Tree roots absorb water and nutrients.
Over time, the ground becomes compacted and hard.
This ground has been used up and needs freshening.

I just planted a large garden between two large live oaks with ground in between that would never grow grass. I had the ground lined with monkey grass and the area in between dug up the best I could. Large roots were every where but I was not out to dig it all up.

Then, I added aged leaves, good soil, manure and some sand. I mixed this up and watered it for a few days. I then raked it fairly smooth. Planting was easy. The good dirt depth was bout 6-10".
I transplanted most of the plants from other areas in the yard. White caladiums really set it off.

I water 3-4 times per week. I now grow peppers, caladiums, mondo grass, iron plants (in the most heavily shaded areas), shrimp plants, impatiens, ginger, ferns and azaleas. I took some left over oak leaves and spread it over the dirt to keep moisture loss down. I also added time released Miracle Grow to help replace nitrogen loss from the still decomposing mulch.

It looks great. I get jalapenos every week. The impatiens need the most water and are the hardiest.

I am already getting new shoots from almost every plant.

Answer 3

Tree roots live in the top 8 inches of soil. Roto-tilling is NOT a good idea if you want to keep the trees. Kill too many roots and kill the tree. Trees like fertilizer and water, just like grass does. Certain trees have LOTS of roots near the soil surface and will be VERY competative for needed nutrition. Black walnuts, for example, produce a chemical that will not allow anything to grow underneath them.
Grass does not grow in shade. Grass likes sun and lots of it. There are shade tolerant grasses, but no shade loving grasses. You can limb up your trees for more light, cut them down for lots of light, or just go with a shade garden. Work with what you have unless you have a lot of money you can waste. There are perennial and annual plants that will grow in shady, compact soils and will eventually make the soil less compact. Aerating is a good idea but remember the tree roots. Adding a good mulch like pinestraw or double hammered bark will add organic matter to the soil, eventually, and will help lessen the compactness. Raking in mushroom compost will also help a great deal and will give the soil nutrition for all plants in it. Enough organic matter and you will get earthworms that will also loosen the soil. But none of this will happen in less that a year or three.

Raised beds are best for gardening, but veggies love the sun also. Make sure your garden will get at LEAST 6 hours of sunlight a day, if not more. In a 2' high bed you can have the first 1' of nothing but sand as garden plants will grow only in the top 10" of soil.

Find your local county extension office and ask them for information. They will help you for free and will give you tons of advice and handouts so you can make an informed decision about your yard and your garden. They will also be familiar with your weather, unlike lots of us on Yahoo! and most will have a working knowledge they can share with you.

Answer 4

Either cut the tree back for sun or plant some shady lawn grass seeds

Answer 5

Break up the ground with a tiller or by hand. Plant a good shade tolerant grass. I would recommend a tall fescue.

Answer 6

There is a grass called Zoysia Amazoy that claims to grow under that circumstances, visit www.zoysiafarms.com and see if it's the right grass for you.

Answer 7

loosen the soil with a rototiller, then plant the seeds

Answer 8

I suggest you aerate your soil and use Scott's lawn products.