Grass wont grow

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

So I have a very specific part of my back yard that just won't grow grass. I've tried many different seed types, airaiting, watering, fertilizer etc, But still nothing. I was wondering a few things 1. Can you figure out how to get grass to grow lol 2. If you were to put something there instead what would you put? (As in a bird bath or perhaps a small veggie garden.) I have 2 dogs and live in Canada so weather will be winter soon. Harsh winters can take a huge toll on yard lanscaping

Featured Answer

PRO

Landscaper

5 years ago

Plant your grass seed in the spring (May to mid June) or fall (September to early October). Planting in the fall gives you an advantage for the seedlings have two seasons (winter and spring) before the grass goes through the hot summer.

The best conditions for growing a lawn include:

even ground with a gentle slope and no low spots
deep, fertile, well-aerated loamy soil with lots of organic matter, good drainage, and a slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 6.5)
regular supply of water
minimum of 6 hours of sunshine each day
air temperature of 16 to 24°C
moderate foot traffic
Good irrigation service

Lawns in Canada consist mostly of cool season turfgrass, which have their main growth periods in the spring and fall.

Kentucky bluegrass needs more sun (especially in the morning) than many other grasses.
Fine fescues are more shade tolerant and will do well on sites with only 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day, or only late day sunlight.
Ryegrass is very tolerant of wear and is suitable for sport or play areas.
Bentgrass species are not good for most home lawn situations because they are high maintenance.
Some cool season grass varieties (like tall fescues, fine fescues, perennial ryegrass) may contain beneficial fungi called endophytes, and may be more resistant to some common insect pests.

HOPE this will help you have your own lovely space.

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Comments (8)

Meaghan Fritz
Original Author
5 years ago

Beside the tree on
User
5 years ago
Tree areas are notoriously difficult--the shade is not good for grass, nor is the fact that the tree is sucking out all the water and resources from that soil.

If it's repeatedly failed, give up on grass. It's just going to be an exercise in further frustration and why frustrate yourself?

You can mulch it for a nice area under the tree (extend it to be evenly spaced so it looks normal), and some types of ivy will do OK under there as well, but can also be invasive and annoying depending on whether you control them or not.

This is not an arduous or time-consuming process, but frankly, most people would rather complain than spend the five minutes a month controlling their ivy or other underplantings. If that's you, that's understood and don't do that. :-) For this reason, I don't plant ivies--I'm too lazy to keep after them!

There are some other plants that do well under trees and in more arid conditions in colder climates, but I'm not sure if they're invasive. You didn't tell us your province and nearest city, so specific recommendations aren't possible; BC is way different from the Northwest Territories. :-)

Your local nurseries will also be able to help, but things may need to wait until next spring for planting depending on where you are. Or you may still be OK. Toronto's still in prime territory for fall planting!
Meaghan Fritz thanked User
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dchall_san_antonio
5 years ago
Canada, eh. Somewhere between St John's and Vancouver I presume. By the looks of the picture I'm guessing south of Detroit...as opposed to Tuktoyaktuk.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If even grass won’t grow you are not going to get a vegetable garden to succeed. A bird bath would go fine in a mulched area. As would a bed of shade tolerant plants. Beautiful tree btw.
krnuttle
5 years ago
Personally that area would be perfect for a shade flower garden. It would provide counterpoint to the patio, the tree, and your yard. It would provide a nice divider between the patio area and the yard. Mulch the area and plant area specific flowering bushes, flowers and plants,

It is been my practice if you can not get grass to grow, mulch it and plant flowering bushes and plants.
Meaghan Fritz thanked krnuttle
mishmosh
5 years ago
Have you tried creeping red fescue? Very cold and shade tolerant. Will not take heavy traffic though if your dogs are running around there.
Meaghan Fritz
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone for your help! I'm in Ontario and my nearest city would be Barrie. I love the mulch idea and can't believe I hadn't thought of that sooner! Thank you all who helped!