This area next to the tree is always muddy, mucky, bear, ugly. I’m trying to figure out how to grow something here. I have seeded every year. But nothing. Do I do clover?
You’re not likely to get much growing there. Best bet is a landscape ring around the tree with a bit of mulch to cover up those exposed roots.
Decemberchild76
Our neighbor planted ivy after they added some soil and mulched. The ivy was kept trimmed so it did not take over the tree. Personally I would have opted for different plants or ground cover
According-Taro4835
Stop throwing seed and money at that dirt. You are fighting a mature tree for water nutrients and sunlight and the tree is going to win every single time. Clover will fail just as fast as grass because those big surface roots tell the whole story. The soil is heavily compacted and completely choked out by a massive root system. It turns into a muddy mess when it rains because the heavy tree canopy blocks the sun from drying it out. You need to stop trying to force a lawn where nature clearly does not want one.
The right move here is to cut a clean sweeping edge and create a mulched bed out to where the grass actually starts growing naturally. Do not bury those roots in heavy topsoil or you will slowly suffocate the tree. Just lay down a couple inches of natural double shredded hardwood mulch to stop the mud and protect the root zone. If you absolutely need some greenery tuck a few tough dry shade survivors like Pennsylvania sedge or hostas into the soil pockets between the roots. Keep them planted in sweeping connected masses so the space looks structural and intentional instead of like a random scattered mess.
3 Comments
You’re not likely to get much growing there. Best bet is a landscape ring around the tree with a bit of mulch to cover up those exposed roots.
Our neighbor planted ivy after they added some soil and mulched. The ivy was kept trimmed so it did not take over the tree. Personally I would have opted for different plants or ground cover
Stop throwing seed and money at that dirt. You are fighting a mature tree for water nutrients and sunlight and the tree is going to win every single time. Clover will fail just as fast as grass because those big surface roots tell the whole story. The soil is heavily compacted and completely choked out by a massive root system. It turns into a muddy mess when it rains because the heavy tree canopy blocks the sun from drying it out. You need to stop trying to force a lawn where nature clearly does not want one.
The right move here is to cut a clean sweeping edge and create a mulched bed out to where the grass actually starts growing naturally. Do not bury those roots in heavy topsoil or you will slowly suffocate the tree. Just lay down a couple inches of natural double shredded hardwood mulch to stop the mud and protect the root zone. If you absolutely need some greenery tuck a few tough dry shade survivors like Pennsylvania sedge or hostas into the soil pockets between the roots. Keep them planted in sweeping connected masses so the space looks structural and intentional instead of like a random scattered mess.