Pick a grass that’s good for your area. Consider aerating your yard. Spread the seed, then keep it moist while the seeds germinate.
KreeH
Sorry, but I doubt it will work. That tree is great, but it will likely make growing grass under it very difficult. Plus, you would likely want/need to have an irrigation system and I don’t see one (maybe my bad eye sight). It might be easier/better to do something like using gravel/river rock to fill in the space, at least under the tree.
Soapyfreshfingers
Does water pool on your patio?
shit-talker-25
It depends on where you live. I read a lot about seeding on this sub. But seed doesn’t work well at all where I live. I’m in zone 8b. Also, it’s getting late in the year to seed unless you’re seeding with cool weather grass or winter rye. Keep in mind I live in zone 8b. It could be completely different where you live. Don’t get your hopes up too much. That four legged buddy you have will likely make a mess of anything you try to do.
Ok-Appointment-4352
With pups, price sod.. Not as bad as you think and you’ll be happier far sooner.
GoldenBrahms
I wouldn’t bother. Grass died there for a reason. Just throw down some mulch or wood chips. A small border of gravel around the patio with some steel edging might be a nice transition.
Tobybrent
Grass won’t grow under a conifer
oldfarmjoy
I’ve just given up and will add mulch to the dirt area of my yard. Under the trees, the grass just doesn’t survive.
If you really want to try, sod it. It’s far more durable than seeding – but it still requires a lot of water!
Seeding means the grass is very fragile for a very long time. Not good w pups.
Good luck!
marcramirezz
Kill the tree… Then you can have grass
leebo56
Scott’s makes several good seeds for that type of situation
Soff10
That cedar will make it difficult for three reasons. 1st is shade. 2nd is acidic soil. 3rd is its feeder roots soak up water alarmingly fast.
Worried-Flower1593
I like your dogs.
smelyal8r
You’d be better off with gardening around that tree with acidic, shade tolerant plants. Bleeding hearts, ferns, hostas, wild ginger all look nice and should do well. Its not grass but it’s not mud.
Deakon99
Do a soil test first.
Aggressive-Charge599
Cut the tree down
Accomplished_Ad4504
Landscaper here.
I would sod before trying seed.
1) rake the yard. Get all the needles from the tree up or as much as possible.
2) bring in a top dressing of three way soil, just an inch. It looks like an older yard which usually has a good soil base unlike newer homes.
3) lay sod. A local sod company will guide you to the proper type
4) STARTER FERTILIZER IS A MUST. This will help with cellular growth and root developement.
5) water when it doesn’t rains. This will help keep the soil underneath soft so roots can penetrate and get a foot hold.
6) I assume you’re in the north somewhere based on the cedar tree so putting lime down is a must. Pine/cedar/fir trees cause acidic soil so lime will balance the ph in the lawn and make the fertilizer work better. Lime. I lime my yard three times a year.
7) fertilize at 30 and 60 days to continue growth. You need to feed that lawn to sustain over-winter stress.
8) regular fertilization and lime will keep your lawn healthy with that tree but like everyone else has said will die if you don’t. I have several customers who have cedar trees in their yards and have healthy lawns underneath because I regularly maintain their yards with fertilizer and lime plus mowing and raking up needle drop.
You can do it but it takes some work. Not a lot but some regular work.
Best of luck
travelingmaestro
When I was reseeding an old farmer recommended putting down compost, then putting seed on top, and hay on top of that. Just use straight seed— none of that blend mix stuff with fertilizer and whatever else they add to it, like the green and blue stuff. Use a seed or seed blend that will work for this spot.
I have since used that same method to grow grass in a few different large areas and it has worked wonderfully.
InformationOk8807
Just get it sodded
Special_Present69
Astro turf call it a day
New-Vegetable-1274
Roto till, rake level, roll it with a lawn roller. Wet it, puddles are low spots, fill and roll again. Spread starter fertilizer, (absolutely necessary). Spread seed (Shade Variety). With a leaf rake, lightly rake the seed and fertilizer, left to right in straight lines. Lightly rake it again in from top to bottom. Wet it all down with a mist so as to not disturb the seed. Do this until its very wet but not enough to disturb the seed. Water three times a day and don’t allow it to dry out. Once it sprouts and is a few inches high, water it in the morning and again at sundown until it is established. After that water it heavily once a every couple of days. Your soil looks acidic. Once the lawn needs mowing you can spread lime on it to sweeten the soil. You can grow grass anywhere but it requires vigilance in helping it to get started and then established. Once it is established rake in screened compost every spring. Commercial fertilizers are expensive and need to be applied every year, compost is free and will build your turf and will not burn your grass. Patience pays off, park like lawns result from taking care of them.
DoctorDefinitely
Many people here envy you. All the time people post asking how they can kill all the green and have a desert of mulch and/or wood chips. You can. Just add mulch and/or wood chips.
Prestigious-Bike-593
Native grass.
FriJanmKrapo
Check the soil pH and see what it comes out to be. There’s plenty of easy to use test kits for that.
But many times trees like to change the pH of the ground below so they get all the nutrients and water that falls or exist in the area it’s roots are.
Adjust the pH to be around 6-7. That’s normally a good range for most grasses.
But you’ll likely need to till the top a bit to help grass to be able to thrive better. I’ve had many problem trees like this over the years and this has helped fix the soil but you’ll also need to check the pH at least twice a year so that you can keep an eye on it and add the needed lime to help balance it out. This can slow the growth of the tree though but typically not too much. Just be careful and adjust the pH slowly and do a test area until you figure out how much you’ll need to use to get the pH into the target range.
Also there are shade tolerant grasses that don’t mind the acidic pH that trees like to make the soil. Just a matter of looking up what’s able to grow in your climate.
Zealousideal_Can_89
I highly recommend clover or something similar. They are evergreen and so many varieties to pick from. All clover has an easier time handling fluctuations in temperature, drought, shade in addition to easy to maintain over grass seed. Plus countless other ground covers that which are low maintenance to discover.
I buy most of my seeds from [Outside Pride](https://www.OutsidePride.com) I’m not advertising for this company, I just like their products and prices over the years.
Regular-Location-350
I’m sorry but I agree with others that grass will be challenging to grow there. It’ll end up looking like the sparse grass at the bottom. Check with your local nursery on a non-invasive native ground cover (like creeping thyme) along with some shady perennials along the fence, maybe some native wildflowers on the far end. Include some walkways with stepping stones or patio pavers as walkways for the cute doggies. Install a border around the tree and fill in with nugget bark or shade plants like hostas. The soil will need a lot of amending to establish any plants, landscape companies can guide you on that. A side suggestion is dark shade cloth for the fence for more privacy. String up some solar Edison lights, you can make this space look nice.
25 Comments
Pick a grass that’s good for your area. Consider aerating your yard. Spread the seed, then keep it moist while the seeds germinate.
Sorry, but I doubt it will work. That tree is great, but it will likely make growing grass under it very difficult. Plus, you would likely want/need to have an irrigation system and I don’t see one (maybe my bad eye sight). It might be easier/better to do something like using gravel/river rock to fill in the space, at least under the tree.
Does water pool on your patio?
It depends on where you live. I read a lot about seeding on this sub. But seed doesn’t work well at all where I live. I’m in zone 8b. Also, it’s getting late in the year to seed unless you’re seeding with cool weather grass or winter rye. Keep in mind I live in zone 8b. It could be completely different where you live. Don’t get your hopes up too much. That four legged buddy you have will likely make a mess of anything you try to do.
With pups, price sod.. Not as bad as you think and you’ll be happier far sooner.
I wouldn’t bother. Grass died there for a reason. Just throw down some mulch or wood chips. A small border of gravel around the patio with some steel edging might be a nice transition.
Grass won’t grow under a conifer
I’ve just given up and will add mulch to the dirt area of my yard. Under the trees, the grass just doesn’t survive.
If you really want to try, sod it. It’s far more durable than seeding – but it still requires a lot of water!
Seeding means the grass is very fragile for a very long time. Not good w pups.
Good luck!
Kill the tree… Then you can have grass
Scott’s makes several good seeds for that type of situation
That cedar will make it difficult for three reasons. 1st is shade. 2nd is acidic soil. 3rd is its feeder roots soak up water alarmingly fast.
I like your dogs.
You’d be better off with gardening around that tree with acidic, shade tolerant plants. Bleeding hearts, ferns, hostas, wild ginger all look nice and should do well. Its not grass but it’s not mud.
Do a soil test first.
Cut the tree down
Landscaper here.
I would sod before trying seed.
1) rake the yard. Get all the needles from the tree up or as much as possible.
2) bring in a top dressing of three way soil, just an inch. It looks like an older yard which usually has a good soil base unlike newer homes.
3) lay sod. A local sod company will guide you to the proper type
4) STARTER FERTILIZER IS A MUST. This will help with cellular growth and root developement.
5) water when it doesn’t rains. This will help keep the soil underneath soft so roots can penetrate and get a foot hold.
6) I assume you’re in the north somewhere based on the cedar tree so putting lime down is a must. Pine/cedar/fir trees cause acidic soil so lime will balance the ph in the lawn and make the fertilizer work better. Lime. I lime my yard three times a year.
7) fertilize at 30 and 60 days to continue growth. You need to feed that lawn to sustain over-winter stress.
8) regular fertilization and lime will keep your lawn healthy with that tree but like everyone else has said will die if you don’t. I have several customers who have cedar trees in their yards and have healthy lawns underneath because I regularly maintain their yards with fertilizer and lime plus mowing and raking up needle drop.
You can do it but it takes some work. Not a lot but some regular work.
Best of luck
When I was reseeding an old farmer recommended putting down compost, then putting seed on top, and hay on top of that. Just use straight seed— none of that blend mix stuff with fertilizer and whatever else they add to it, like the green and blue stuff. Use a seed or seed blend that will work for this spot.
I have since used that same method to grow grass in a few different large areas and it has worked wonderfully.
Just get it sodded
Astro turf call it a day
Roto till, rake level, roll it with a lawn roller. Wet it, puddles are low spots, fill and roll again. Spread starter fertilizer, (absolutely necessary). Spread seed (Shade Variety). With a leaf rake, lightly rake the seed and fertilizer, left to right in straight lines. Lightly rake it again in from top to bottom. Wet it all down with a mist so as to not disturb the seed. Do this until its very wet but not enough to disturb the seed. Water three times a day and don’t allow it to dry out. Once it sprouts and is a few inches high, water it in the morning and again at sundown until it is established. After that water it heavily once a every couple of days. Your soil looks acidic. Once the lawn needs mowing you can spread lime on it to sweeten the soil. You can grow grass anywhere but it requires vigilance in helping it to get started and then established. Once it is established rake in screened compost every spring. Commercial fertilizers are expensive and need to be applied every year, compost is free and will build your turf and will not burn your grass. Patience pays off, park like lawns result from taking care of them.
Many people here envy you. All the time people post asking how they can kill all the green and have a desert of mulch and/or wood chips. You can. Just add mulch and/or wood chips.
Native grass.
Check the soil pH and see what it comes out to be. There’s plenty of easy to use test kits for that.
But many times trees like to change the pH of the ground below so they get all the nutrients and water that falls or exist in the area it’s roots are.
Adjust the pH to be around 6-7. That’s normally a good range for most grasses.
But you’ll likely need to till the top a bit to help grass to be able to thrive better. I’ve had many problem trees like this over the years and this has helped fix the soil but you’ll also need to check the pH at least twice a year so that you can keep an eye on it and add the needed lime to help balance it out. This can slow the growth of the tree though but typically not too much. Just be careful and adjust the pH slowly and do a test area until you figure out how much you’ll need to use to get the pH into the target range.
Also there are shade tolerant grasses that don’t mind the acidic pH that trees like to make the soil. Just a matter of looking up what’s able to grow in your climate.
I highly recommend clover or something similar. They are evergreen and so many varieties to pick from. All clover has an easier time handling fluctuations in temperature, drought, shade in addition to easy to maintain over grass seed. Plus countless other ground covers that which are low maintenance to discover.
I buy most of my seeds from [Outside Pride](https://www.OutsidePride.com) I’m not advertising for this company, I just like their products and prices over the years.
I’m sorry but I agree with others that grass will be challenging to grow there. It’ll end up looking like the sparse grass at the bottom. Check with your local nursery on a non-invasive native ground cover (like creeping thyme) along with some shady perennials along the fence, maybe some native wildflowers on the far end. Include some walkways with stepping stones or patio pavers as walkways for the cute doggies. Install a border around the tree and fill in with nugget bark or shade plants like hostas. The soil will need a lot of amending to establish any plants, landscape companies can guide you on that. A side suggestion is dark shade cloth for the fence for more privacy. String up some solar Edison lights, you can make this space look nice.