Annoying bare spots under your trees? Be sure and plant the right grass.

In the North

In cold northern climates, try rough-stalked bluegrass, red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and/or redtop, especially if the area is shady and wet.

For dry, shady areas use primarily red fescue, with Kentucky bluegrass and redtop added to improve appearance.

In very dry locales, choose grasses that are native to that region, such as buffalo grass or wheatgrass in the Great Plains of North America, or fairway crested wheatgrass, found in the cold plains of Siberia and Russia.

In the South

If you live in a warm southern climate, plant St. Augustine grass in shady areas.

This strain tolerates salt, so it's a good choice for coastal gardens too.

It doesn't look as nice as Bermuda or zoysia grasses, however, so be aware you'll be trading beauty for hardiness.

Other Ground Cover

Should none of these grow satisfactorily, consider a moss lawn, or evergreen plants like chamomile, "Cotula" or "Dichondra micrantha."

You can also plant low, mat-forming plants such as creeping thymes for ground cover.

These are more delicate than grasses, however, so should be planted for ornamental purposes only. (Don't walk on them much.)

(Sources: "The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening," DK Publishing, Inc., AllAboutLawns.com)

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