Weed-control expert Darren Robinson discusses coping with shady garden conditions. Many suburban gardeners have fantasies of growing big trees with lush green lawns underneath. But heavy shade isn't optimum for growing healthy grass. Instead you end up with spindly grass clumps and plenty of bare patches, which provide ideal conditions for weeds. Where turf grass is weak, you'll often see shade-loving weeds such as ground ivy and moss. If you have more weeds than lawn growing under your trees, you have three options: plant a more shade-tolerant grass such as fine fescue, remove or prune the trees, or remove the lawn and either plant shade-loving groundcovers or cover the area with mulch. Gardening is meant to be enjoyed. If plants don't grow well in a specific spot, pull them out and plant something else that will do better.
GUESTS :
Darren Robinson
UT Agricultural Extension
PO Box 1971
Knoxville, TN 37901-1071
Phone: 865-974-7208
Fax: 865-974-1068
Email: aes.drobinson@utk.edu
Website: http://www.utextension.utk.edu
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