If you’ve been doing your landscape, you’ve probably heard that growing grass under Pine trees won’t bring any favorable outcomes. Well, that might probably be true considering that Pine trees’ growth and maintenance are far from what grass needs and capabilities of development. Some hinders are:
- The soil in Pine trees is acidic.
- Due to the shade the tree provides, there will be no room for sunlight. As the tree grows, its canopies may spread even more, blocking the sunlight. The competition for a water source is intense too.
- Pine needles create a heavy mat when they fall, making it more difficult for the grass to acquire sunlight.
Despite these seemingly difficult obstacles to overcome, growing grass under Pine trees is possible.
Continue reading and get some techniques to increase your chances of success.
Neutralize the soil
Neutralizing the soil makes it livable for grasses. You can use agricultural lime for this. It raises the soil’s pH level to make it less acidic. Doing so puts the soil in the right pH range of approximately 5.5.-6.5 to make it neutral and usable for your grass. Although before doing this, make sure that your soil is tested. You don’t want to add something that your soil doesn’t need because it might harm your Pine tree and grass. Don’t expect lime to do all the work. You have to check now and then and apply lime more than once. Plus, more patience is needed since it might take one to two years before achieving the desired result of balancing the pH soil.
Aside from lime fertilizer, you can also add wood ash to neutralize the soil. It is a cheap option since you can get the wood ash straight from your wood fireplace. However, it takes a longer time than lime to produce results. Be sure to re-test your Ph after some time to check if you’ve already neutralized the soil.
Clear the way
Grass under Pine trees will likely grow if they receive ample nutrients that they need. To do this, clean the area where you plant your grass of any needles and debris to expose the soil. Clear out the heavy blanket of Pine needles. It will allow sunlight and moisture to reach your grass under Pine trees. You may also want to remove all tree limbs that get in the way. Be cautious about the removal so as not to damage your tree.
The roots of the Pine tree can hinder the growth of grass. If you want to counter this, prepare the plot before seeding and tilling the soil at least 5 inches. Be wary of using heavy and sharp tools as this may damage your roots. You may do well if you till using your hand.
Extra Water
Pine trees’ roots tend to hog all the water from the soil. It makes it challenging for grass to grow, as they also need water to survive. To ensure their growth, make sure to give grass under Pine trees extra water. They need to be watered daily. Once the grass is already established, you can gradually reduce watering it.
Mow carefully
Unlike other plants, grass under trees requires a gentler mowing. Improper mowing may decrease the chance of grass survival. When you mow, be sure to do it slightly higher compared to other areas of the lawn. Doing this is very useful to retain moisture levels.
Consider the type of grass.
Some plants will not be able to survive because of the difficult conditions under your Pine tree. To be more successful in growing grass under Pine trees, choose shade-tolerant grasses. This type of grass needs a shorter time of exposure to daylight. Get a high-quality blend of shade-loving grasses. If you are living where it is usually cold, the following grass may be optimal for you: fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass. Those who live in warmer zone consider grasses such as Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Centipede. Among the three, St. Augustine is the most shade-tolerant. If your area is between cool and warm, choose grasses that thrive in the cold.
That brown circle of bare soil under your Pine tree can be an eyesore. You can grow grass under it. It will be time-consuming and laborious, so be sure to note the gardening tips mentioned above, and soon, there will be lush greens there in no time!
