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Can’t grow grass #556441

Asked April 28, 2019, 8:55 AM EDT

I have an area in my front yard (north facing) that the grass started thinning significantly about 5 years ago. The area is heavily shaded by two large maple trees. The yard was was first seeded in the early 1960’s and was fine until about 5 years ago. I have spent hundreds on high quality seed for the last three years but just can’t get anything to grow. Is there somewhere I can have my soil tested or a service that would come to my house to diagnose? I am noticing what looks like small areas of soil pushed up by some type of pest under the soil. Whatever is is, it’s much smaller than a mole path and these areas are random as opposed to a trail. I am very familiar with mole tunnels, and these are different.. The rest of my yard has no problem with growing lush grass. Just don’t know where to start? Thanks, Tony

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

 Maples trees have shallow root systems that enable them to take huge amounts of water and nutrients from the soil.  Their dense canopy severely restricts the light intensity under the trees. These three factors—competition for water, nutrients, and low light intensity causes turf grass failure under shaded conditions. Late summer and early fall are the best time to seed your lawn. Use shade tolerant grass species varieties. Fine fescues (red, Chewings, sheep, hard).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRFjkfMXmNg&feature=youtu.be

 Prune tree branches as much as possible without destroying the function and the beauty of the tree. You could replace the turf with mulch and shade lowing ground cover.

 Night crawlers deposit castings (waste products) at their burrow entrances forming conical mounds at the soil surface.  They are most active when the soil is moist in early spring and late fall.   If night crawlers are causing the bumps, you might be able to control the bumpiness by dethatching your lawn. This would reduce some of their food supply. Vertical raking in the spring will help smooth out the bumps too. More information on night crawlers.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/nightcrawlers

This site takes you to our soil testing service.

http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services

 


Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied April 28, 2019, 10:17 AM EDT

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