We inherited a house and this is the lawn. It is completely shaded by big oak trees. The soil is literally as hard as concrete. I am located in central Alabama. What steps do I take to get it ready for seeds? What will grow in shaded areas?
by goonsquib
5 Comments
Chip drop mulch is a good start. Get as much as you can and cover the lawn with it several inches deep every year.
Maybe after a year or two start tilling it in to the top of the dirt.
You need some MULCH! Nothing is gonna grow in that compacted soil right now.
Mulch it. Start adding native shade plants
Definitely mulch first. There may be too much shade for grass. Look around at what else grows well in your area. How will the yard be used? Maybe keep mulch paths through flower beds? There should be some shade-loving native plants in your area. Congratulations on the inheritance!
Some good advice here: https://youtu.be/RBJuMTBhx30?si=S4IVVJV9c00Imb92
Long story short over the next 2-3 seasons you should: add mulch and compost amendments, probably till it once maybe twice, seriously consider leaving all the leaf litter from the oak on the ground and perhaps toss down some pioneer plant seeds in the meantime. If it were sunnier I’d say sunflowers, maybe do some research to find a native aggressive/weedy annual that you like.