I have a spot in my yard that gets almost no sunlight because of a giant 50-year-old pine tree, and nothing seems to grow there. My dogs love to hang out in this area, but every time I put down mulch or gravel, they just dig it up! I'm considering artificial turf, but I'm worried about how tough it will be to clean off the pine needles. Is keeping it tidy a huge hassle, or is it manageable?
3 Answers
Seriously consider the drawbacks of artificial turf. It can actually harm the tree because it retains heat and the installation process involves driving nails into the ground, which could damage roots. Plus, you’ll have to deal with pine needles on the turf, which isn't fun. You might find that some native landscaping rocks and pea gravel could be a better choice—easier for you to clean up and better for the tree. Just a thought!
While artificial grass sounds easy, it might not actually help your situation with zero plants growing. Have you thought about leaving the area natural? For example, Pennsylvania sedge does well in shade and tolerates some foot traffic. Or, you could add some tough plants like ferns or hellebores. If you're looking for ideas, check out Prairie Nursery for native options. A little container gardening could also make the space more inviting without overhauling everything.
I get what you're saying! That area is just dirt now and my dogs love it. I’m just trying to find a way to keep them cleaner while giving them a comfy spot to lay down.
Getting pine needles out of artificial turf can be a real pain. They tend to get stuck and are hard to remove. If you do decide to go this route, you might want to invest in a leaf blower to help keep the turf clean.
The pine needles are definitely my main concern, that's why I'm hesitant about the turf. But a weed barrier with some pea gravel could work, plus I could always use a blower to keep things clean.