Expert: Greg - 2/23/2006

Question
Thanks for your answer.  I was not aware of renting a hydroseeder.  Would I be able to get one from a regular rental shop or do I get one from a specialized place?  I belong to a freecycle site and got 26 white garbage bags of goat, rabbit and chicken manure so I will put that somewhere in the yard this spring.  For that kidney shaped garden, it is surrounded by rocks.  I put plastic underneath the rocks when I installed the garden.  However, weeds grow between the cracks and grass is now growing in the garden.  Any ideas on how to make a natural border that is not weed infested?

Thanks
GB

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Followup To
Question -
Dear Greg,

We had to have our lawn taken out last year because we had to replaceour leach field.  I want to put a new one in the spring - preferrably organic and as cheaply as possible.  I live in Alaska.  What do you recommend?  Also, we have a spot under 3 birch trees that we shaped into a kidney bean shape.  Things do not grow real well there since it is under trees and the trees take a lot of the nourishment.  I started to make a moss garden there but it did not do terribly well.  Any suggestions?  Thanks a lot.

Answer -
Hello GB

I live in Michigan, so im not quite sure which type of Cold Season Lawns would do best in your Climate. I would contact your Local Extension Service, its usually in a County Services Dept. This service is free, and very Valuable.

I can tell you that Hydo Seeding is best if you have to cover a Large Area, which im guessing is your case. You can either Rent the Machine that does this, or get quotes from a local Landscaper. Seeding by a Broadcast Spredder on the surface may seem cheaper, but the Results from a Hydroseeder are quicker, and more predictable. Using Organic Fertilizers such as Milorganite < I don't know if it is avaliable in your area> is the best way to go. Stay away from High Nitrogen Fertilizers such as 24-4-4 type products. They promote quick top growth, with little concern to the root and plant overall health, and are much more expensive.

As far as under the Trees goes, I am a believer in letting the Tree<s> have this place all to themselves. You MAY wish to consider putting some form of Pots or a raised area to grow something under the Tree<s>. Columbines, are a nice plant to grow in this condition, and I know they would be Hardy to your Climate. Their are many Hybrids to choose from to suit your Taste. Make sure their is good Air Circulation under the Tree<s> this may require removing some branches or a small trunk. 3Ft of open air space besides the Main Trunk<s> would be adaquate.

If I have missed something here, don't hesitate to ask a follow-up

The Best of Luck
    Greg

Answer
Hello again

Renting a Hydroseeder will require some reasearch on your part. I doub't a place like Home Depot would have this. Check out Landscape Supply places in your area. You could Google Hydroseeders and see what comes out of that.

As far as the Manures that you have aquired, make sure that you compost them first brfore you use them. They could burn plants if you were to use them directly on plantings.

For the Kidney shape under the Tree, I do not, not do I reccomend using rocks. For the reason that you have just described. This is a common complaint about grasses and weeds growing between rocks. And if you ever want to change it, it is Labor Intensive. Remember that whatever you grow under the Tree, will always be in competition with the Tree for Sunlight and Nutrients. This is why I reccomend raised beds or pots. You can bury a pot, with a planting into the ground under the Tree, that way the plant has that area to itself. With your Colder climate, you could also bring in that plant for the extreme winter, and replant it in the Spring. Just a suggestion.

I would not use a product such as "Roundup" to kill the grass and weeds under the Tree, this could dammage the Tree. I would remove the rocks, <I know you don't like this idea> and hand pull or gently till them out. Plant whatever you like, then put down "Preen" around the Soil following Manufacturers reccomendations. Don't use Plastic, this restricts water flow to the Trees roots. I would then use a 4" layer of "Cedar" mulch. Cedar is a natural bug repellent, and works the same way as Cedar Closets do to stop Moths from eating wool. This gives that area a "Natural" look and in my opinion, very attractive. After about 5 Years the Cedar will Decompose, and have to be replaced, which is rather easy, compared to those Rocks. Any weeds or grasses that should grow in the area, should be weakly rooted and should pull up very easy.

Don't hesitate to follow up with any further explination in any of this, its good to plan before you move on this.

     Greg