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PostPosted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:07 am 
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Have a small back yard fully covered in shade and have nothing but dirt and mud. Areal mess! Is there anything that can grow under a large oak tree? Please help! Is "rye" grass an option?

Thanks,

John


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 9:55 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 1:53 pm
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I have a live oak which creates deep shade underneath. I encourage you to think beyond turfgrass. Here's what I planted in this deep shade and it's thriving:

Flowers/ground covers (after blooming):
Turk's cap (this attracts hummingbirds)
Cardinal Flower(also big hummingbird attractor)
Zexmenia
Cedar Sage
Lyre Leaf Sage
Golden Groundsel
Columbine (yellow and red)
Wood violets

Other ground covers:
Cedar sedge (likes part sun better)
White avens (can mow to 4 ")
Inland sea oats
Pigeonberry (mockingbirds eat the berries)
Horseherb (you can walk on this)
Frogfruit (you can walk on and mow this to 4" or higher)

Until you get things going, you may want to cover the ground with mulch to keep the soil intact and cover the mud.


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 Post subject: Mud Mess
PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:06 am 
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Location: Dallas,TX
Adding to the excellent advice you got from wildscaper, let me add that soil amendments will do wonders for your recovery. If you've had a mud situation for a time your soil is already compacted from rain, so mulch will go far in allowing it to loosen up but a dose of molasses and cornmeail along with Medina Plus or Soil Activator will prepare your soil to enable the plants you bring in to thrive.

Planting ground cover or any plant in hard, compacted soil is introducing unnecessary challenges to your project. Start with preparing your soil with these excellent, affordable amendments, give it shelter with a mulch (hay or straw is inexpensive and effective) and then plant sections at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. Mulch first, because if you plant first, you'll cover up some of them and waste your time and money.

The best news is that we are coming into the season when it's the best time to do this! Perennials do best when planted in the fall and allowed to grow a good root system before the spring entices their tops to grow out. You can plant rye grass but unless you want to mow every winter make sure it's annual and not perennial rye. Good luck!
Kathe :D


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:12 pm 
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Location: San Antonio,TEXAS
I have St Augustine growing up to the base of my oaks in the front. I also have Asiatic jasmine under a couple.

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Dirt Doctor Lawns Forum


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