If you have pine trees in your yard, you may have noticed that your grass or plants don’t grow as well under pine trees. This is a common problem a lot of gardeners and landscapers face. It can be frustrating for those of us who have plenty of pine trees in our yards. But why does this happen, and how can we work around the pine trees in our yard?
Why Nothing Grows Under Pine Trees
The main reason is that pine trees are heavily acidic. Therefore, when pine needles are dropped onto the ground, it makes the ground even more acidic. Not to mention the soil pine trees surround have a higher level of acidity in order for the pine tree to thrive.
This can cause a lot of problems for our grass. You may find that there are super dry patches all under the area where your pine trees are. One way to maybe improve this would be to pick up the pine needles as they fall. Sweep them up as they come to prevent any extra acidity from infiltrating the grass and soil.
In addition, you may want to ensure you don’t plant anything close to your pine trees.
This will easily avoid any new plants from dying or getting dry because of the acidity in the soil.
With this being said, there are still a few other reasons why your grass is dying around pine trees. Another reason why your grass could be dying around your pine trees is that there isn’t enough sunlight.
The competition between the pine trees and the grass for water is fierce, and along with that, the grass under the trees gets very little sunlight. It might be wise to put some extra love into the grass under your trees.
There may not be much you can do when it comes to those patches of grass not getting enough sun, but you can make sure you water those spots a little extra. Make sure you take good care of the grass around your pine trees; this could be the reason why it dies.
Another reason to pick up the pine needles is that they will limit the sunlight the grass underneath gets even more. If you have a thick blanket of pine needles coating the grass, the grass is going to absorb even less sun. That’s why it can be beneficial to pick up these pine needles, for you and your grass.
Now, you may be wondering if anything can grow under pine trees. We’ve just listed all the potential reasons why things such as grass can’t, but can anything survive?
Can Anything Grow Under Pine Trees
Yes, some plants can grow under pine trees. The reason why grass and other plants have a hard time growing on their own under pine trees is because of the little access to sunlight and high acidity.
With this information in mind, we can guess what plants would thrive under these conditions. Yes, there are some plants you can plant under pine trees that will be perfectly fine. Any plants that are high in acidity or don’t require a lot of sunlight are perfect to put under your pine tree.
As long as the conditions suit the needs of the plants, they will thrive. It’s important to keep this in mind when planting something under a pine tree, as planting the wrong thing could lead to more dead plants.
Best Plants to Grow Under Pine Trees
Going along with what we discussed in the previous section, you’re going to want to make sure the plants you are planting under your pine trees can’t truly thrive in these conditions. Make sure they can handle the acidity level of the soil and that they get enough water and sun.
So, what plants can handle these intense conditions? Surprisingly, the lily of the valley is one of the plants that are better equipped to handle the touch acidity of pine trees. Sweet woodruff, ferns, and azaleas can all grow and thrive under or around the pine trees in your yard.
The one thing you want to keep in mind when trying to find out if a plant can withstand the conditions is by checking the acidity levels they can stand. Certain plants can only take low pH levels in their soil, so it’s important to check this.
If you do this, you’ll be able to determine which of your plants can do well in the same conditions as the pine trees.
What Grass Grows Best Under Pine Trees?
So, what grass grows the best under and around pine trees? There are a few different types of grass that can safely grow under these specific conditions. Zoysia grass, for example, grows well in light shade and can handle the extra acidity.
Another great grass you could choose from is centipede grass. Centipede grass, much like zoysia grass is able to handle that extra level of acidity.
No matter what grass you choose for under your pine trees, make sure that they can handle a pH level between 6-7 because this is what the pine trees thrive in. Make sure your grass can handle a little bit of shade. Doing this as well as sweeping up all the pine needles will get you perfect grass under your pine trees in no time.
Now that we know what grass grows best under pine trees, let’s take a look at what plants can thrive in these conditions. This is important to be mindful of when planning your landscaping job. Using these specific grass and plants under the pine trees will make sure everything stays thriving.
Now, time to answer some frequently asked questions. Starting with more information on ground cover under pine trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Good Ground Cover for Under Pine Trees?
If you’re looking to find a good ground cover under pine trees, look no further. What does make good ground cover under pine trees? Well, first of all, pine needles can make an excellent ground cover. And because we’re talking about ground cover under pine trees this is perfect.
If you don’t want to tidy up and take away the pine needles that fall on your lawn, just bunch them all up under the trees for perfect and effortless ground cover. This is a great way to make use of your pine needles and get good ground cover all in one. But what if you don’t want to use pine needles?
Well, you could also use any other type of mulch such as wood chips or bark. These would get the job done just as well as pine needles but with a different look to them. Whichever you choose to go with is entirely up to you.
Can I Plant a Vegetable Garden Near Pine Trees?
Yes, you absolutely can grow a vegetable garden underneath a pine tree. With all that we’ve covered about plants not surviving under pine trees, there is an effective way you can grow a vegetable garden under one.
One thing you need to make sure of, yet again, is the pH levels of your soil. Make sure that you aren’t smothering your vegetables with acidity by balancing them out with other plants or sweeping the pine needles away.
Make sure you clear away all the pine needles and hopefully you should have soil worth growing in for your veggies. You can grow a wide range of vegetables under a pine tree. From potatoes to carrots to lettuce, there are plenty of options for your little garden, a pine tree doesn’t stop them.
In Conclusion
Overall, there is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to growing things underneath a pine tree. Keeping in mind the pH levels of the soil and the acidity, you need to make sure everything is on track to grow properly.
On top of that, making sure you only grow plants that can thrive in the specific conditions of the pine trees area is essential. Once you have done this, the possibilities are endless. You could grow many different types of flowers, different grasses and even a whole vegetable garden.
With this helpful information, you’ll be well on your way to making a successful gardening plan to work around your pine trees. The pine trees in your yard don’t have to rule over you, you can change things. Making sure you mind the pine needles and do everything you can to maintain good health for your plants is made easy with these tips.
Next time you’re planning out a vegetable garden or a new patch of flowers, don’t rule out the area around your pine trees. They need love too!
