Can't get grass to grow? Here's why

Tag : When To Plant Grass Seed
Can't get grass to grow? Here's why Detroit Free Press

Homeowners struggling to grow grass under mature shade trees wage alosing battle. Each spring, they scuff up the spots where the lawnis missing or thin, then scatter new topsoil and grass seed.
They water. The grass seed germinates. But before long, the barespots are back.
Big trees, especially shallow-rooted ones like some maples, castdense shade, making it difficult to impossible for grass to surviveunderneath. In addition, the trees' roots soak up most of theavailable water. No light, no water, no grass.
So change the game plan. Replace the grass under the tree with 2 to3 inches of organic mulch or with a ground cover. As an extrabenefit, that will also keep the tree's trunk safe from damageduring lawn mowing and trimming. Early spring bulbs like crocusesand snowdrops may be planted this fall amid the mulch or groundcover under the tree. The bulbs will flower and the leaves willmature in spring before the tree leafs out.
Meanwhile, in well drained, full sun beds where you want colorfulblooms later this summer, plant tender bulbs and tubers likedahlias, gladiolus and cannas.
If you're growing plants in containers, be ready to provide extracare. Monitor the soil around container-grown plants and water asneeded, which may be once a day or even twice a day when theweather is sultry. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every other weekfor plants growing in full to part sun. Container plants growing inshade will get by with less frequent feedings.