is there a grass that will grow under pine trees?

Question

we live in the high desert. very dry, very poor soil. our front yard is shady and mostly under pine trees. is there any help for us? hot during the summer and not much snow in winter.

Answer 1

Consider mondo grass, oyster grass, mimosa. None of these are "sod" but can provide ground cover quickly, don't mind the dry and heat and have been proven performers...

Answer 2

The needle drop from the pine needles makes the soil acidic. Sometimes so acidic that nothing will grow. I would test the soil with a cheap PH test from the nursery first to see what you are working with first. Perhaps a bit of lime (remedy for acidic soil) will bring it back to a more neutral figure and you can grow grass if the trees are pruned high enough to allow grass to grow. Or if you want it shady something like Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon) may grow. It will have to be tough because the pines are shallow rooted and you will find if you dig around them there is a 'thicket' of roots surrounding the tree and tough growing for any plant. I'm trialling Acanthus Mollis (Bears breeches) at my place at the moment under my cedrus deodar and they seem to have survived the year. They haven't been in long enough to see if they are going to grow lush foliage so it's trial and error, but may be worth a try if the soil is not too acidic. Acidic loving plants such as azalea could be the answer if you can keep the area moist and the root competition is not to bad.

Answer 3

httnmrtt He is right......
I've seen a lot of pine trees in my lifetime and have never seen anything besides the fallen needles....The soil pH is completely off because of the acidic soil from the pine needles. You might try this though.. Build a drip edged ring under the tree and make it about 12 - 24 " tall fill it with a good loam and then put the mind grass in. Make sure you have pearlite or something that will hold moisture well because the roots from the tree will suck it dry.

Answer 4

Pine and most other evergreens generate a high acid content in the surrounding soil to prevent plant growth under their canopy. It is natures way of preventing infestation from weeds, but it also works with other plants. The only thing I have ever seen with certainty under a pine tree is the occasional dandelion.

Answer 5

You didn't say if you are in the cool season, warm season or transitional zones. I'm going to guess you are in transitional..

You are not quite sunk, but grass and shade are difficult at best. My suggestion is to go with a blend of Chewings Red Fescue/Tall Fescue/Kentucky Bluegrass. The C.fescue will be fine leafed, the tall fescue a bit coarser and bluegrass you probably already know. With a blend, something should work in the shade as well as the sun.

I wish I could say bluegrama grass, but I'm just not seeing that in shade.......partial shade.......yeah, sorta. Buffalograss for shade? Don't bother.

You'll need to irrigate a lawn......so make sure you have the ability to irrigate.

Answer 6

Monkey grass or loriope.

Answer 7

no, never had such luck