We bought our house 1 1/2 years agao. There is an old a southern magnolia in our backyard that has an aproximate 35'-40' canopy. Given the accumulation of dead leaves and the age of the previous owners, the leaves were allowed to remain on the ground.
Last year, I got a few estimates for trimming the tree (haven't done it yet as there are so many priorites, including a garage to office conversion in process), which might allow a bit more sunlight to come through. It was suggested that the tree be 'fed' (that's for another post ).
Given that no grass grows in that (and a few other) areas, We decided it might not impinge on our priorities too much if we were to seed the area with a type of grass that could grow in shade. Phone calls were made to nurseries.
We were told by those we contacted that the tree had sucked the nutrients out of the ground, so there was no point in planting grass. And the soil in that area is indeed dry and dusty and dries out quickly after rain or watering.
Questions:
1) Is there a way that grass could indeed be planted in the bare area. whether through fertilizing the dry soil or some other method?
2) Would having the tree 'fed' revitalize the ground, then allowing the grass to grow?
3) Assuming that the soil defficiencies could be corrected (and I don't doubt that they can...), what would be the best grass and planting method to apply?
We are somewhat tired of the dustbowl there. When it rains, the dirt-sand-dust gets spattered all over our patio, plus it would be nice to have lawn in the area.
I don't really know what kind of grass we have now. The image below may help with that.
Thanks for any help,
Mark
Last year, I got a few estimates for trimming the tree (haven't done it yet as there are so many priorites, including a garage to office conversion in process), which might allow a bit more sunlight to come through. It was suggested that the tree be 'fed' (that's for another post ).
Given that no grass grows in that (and a few other) areas, We decided it might not impinge on our priorities too much if we were to seed the area with a type of grass that could grow in shade. Phone calls were made to nurseries.
We were told by those we contacted that the tree had sucked the nutrients out of the ground, so there was no point in planting grass. And the soil in that area is indeed dry and dusty and dries out quickly after rain or watering.
Questions:
1) Is there a way that grass could indeed be planted in the bare area. whether through fertilizing the dry soil or some other method?
2) Would having the tree 'fed' revitalize the ground, then allowing the grass to grow?
3) Assuming that the soil defficiencies could be corrected (and I don't doubt that they can...), what would be the best grass and planting method to apply?
We are somewhat tired of the dustbowl there. When it rains, the dirt-sand-dust gets spattered all over our patio, plus it would be nice to have lawn in the area.
I don't really know what kind of grass we have now. The image below may help with that.
Thanks for any help,
Mark