Any plants/garden experts?

[maverickfhs]

So I live in a HOA 'policed' neighborhood

In my small backyard, there are 2 trees, so no grass can grow underneath them. Because of which I have a lot of Dandelion.

Was wondering if we have yard/garden experts here( just like Oil), was being told to remove the weed and use garden cover type vegetation(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundcover).

Does anyone know which would be better and cheapest for covering ground and would grow dramatically fast? Thanks for the input

 

[ZTime33]

And if there is one, how do you handle Dallisgrass?

 

[Donald]

I am confused, the HOA will not let you grow grass under the trees or no grass will grow because of the shade, only weeds?

If you want grass to grow under trees in VA you need a seed that is a mix of fescue. Not much Kentucky bluegrass or rye.

Some ground cover can get invasive.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: Donald
no grass will grow because of the shade, only weeds?

If you want gr


Sorry, should have been clear no grass, because of the shade and it's under 2 trees - that's why ONLY weed or barren land is there.

 

[JLawrence08648]

I can answer all the questions. You will be hard to find an expert more than myself.

I prefer to keep trees and prune then using selective pruning, not topping, that's butchery. You can prune trees to let sufficient amount of light in to grow grass. You will also need the proper soil pH, water, nutrients, and the right shade grass seed such as Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, and a fescue called Rebel II. September is the most successful time to plant grass here in NJ, maybe later for you, end of the month.

If you post pics of the trees I can advise you, also a pic of the leaf and bark if you don't know the Venus species or full common name of the tree.

For a ground cover, Hosta, Pachysandra and Vinca are good. You can also partly incorporate a rock garden with flowers, sedum, hosta. Maybe you can incorporate a plastic pond, rocks, with a waterfall, sitting area.

 

[maverickfhs]

Compared to me, anyone is an expert

I have another problem, in the same backyard out of those 2 trees, one of the tree has a lot of shrubs(or side branches) because root is visible and it's a pain to clean it. What's the best way to get rid of those tiny branches which are popping up around it everywhere?

Let me take few pictures and either I'll PM or share here.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

MULCH

 

[Shannow]

Dandelions are pioneer species, they are telling you that the soil isn't ready for grass.

Mow them, and the patch will move on to the next phase of it's growth.

In the mean time, pick them and enjoy the salads.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Clover it. It'll look nice when full.
Whatever you decide, you may have to border it to keep your new greenery from spreading thru the grass.

 

[C1KLTX]

Best bet for grass is a tall fescue grass made for dense shade.

 

[97prizm]

Spray with a dark iron rich spray.

 

[andyd]

Myrtle, vinca, is a low growing shade tolerant ground cover. I have to weed wack any weeds trying to establish themselves, but eventually the myrtle will choke them out.

 

[maverickfhs]

Should I look up clover?

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: JBinTX30
Best bet for grass is a tall fescue grass made for dense shade.


Are those seeds or roots?

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: 97prizm
Spray with a dark iron rich spray.


Sorry but what it would do?

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Should I look up clover?

You can buy it online and seeds sent to your front door. I have it covering the entire back of the garage area. It looks nice. Stays green, even in droughts.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Should I look up clover?

You can buy it online and seeds sent to your front door. I have it covering the entire back of the garage area. It looks nice. Stays green, even in droughts.


Is this clover garden herb? Where do you buy it from?

 

[Recalculating]

Test the soil. Likely too acidic for grass to grow. Balance the soil likely with lime then seed with a fescue.