We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow above the
surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to cover the roots with
soil to protect the tree's health. We would like to do this soon, but are
unsure what to plant once we have put the soil down. The lawn is St
Augustine, I have been told this grass will only grow from sod, and should
be put down in the spring. What can I plant temporarily to keep soil in
place that is cheap-- as I will replace it in the spring, but I want it to
be at least presentable till then. Thanks!

Try winter rye(spelling?), Home Depot and Lowes have it. However, be prepared
to mow all winter.

Ray
===

ginav wrote:

We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow above the
surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to cover the roots with
soil to protect the tree's health. We would like to do this soon, but are
unsure what to plant once we have put the soil down. The lawn is St
Augustine, I have been told this grass will only grow from sod, and should
be put down in the spring. What can I plant temporarily to keep soil in
place that is cheap-- as I will replace it in the spring, but I want it to
be at least presentable till then. Thanks!

In article ,
"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote:

Try winter rye(spelling?), Home Depot and Lowes have it. However, be prepared
to mow all winter.

Ray

Why? ;-)
I never do...
I mow it maybe once.
It dies and composts back as soon as the first hot day hits.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

In article ,
"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote:

Try winter rye(spelling?), Home Depot and Lowes have it. However, be prepared
to mow all winter.

Ray

Why? ;-)
I never do...
I mow it maybe once.
It dies and composts back as soon as the first hot day hits.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

Why? Because that is what I did when I used the silly grass about 6 years ago, then
I swore - never again. At that time I had a one acre lot and believe me it ain't no
fun to be riding around on a mower with temps in the mid 30s to 50s.

Then again, it all depends on if you fertilize and water the darn thing, which is
what I did.

Cheers,

Ray
===

In article ,
"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote:

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

In article ,
"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote:

Try winter rye(spelling?), Home Depot and Lowes have it. However, be
prepared
to mow all winter.

Ray

Why? ;-)
I never do...
I mow it maybe once.
It dies and composts back as soon as the first hot day hits.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack
Nicholson

Why? Because that is what I did when I used the silly grass about 6 years
ago, then
I swore - never again. At that time I had a one acre lot and believe me it
ain't no
fun to be riding around on a mower with temps in the mid 30s to 50s.

Then again, it all depends on if you fertilize and water the darn thing,
which is
what I did.

Cheers,

Ray
===

Not my fault that you are a neat freak! ;-)
I just let it grow... I mow it when it gets to be over a foot tall,
which is maybe once or twice over the winter...

Does anyone really expect a neat lawn in the winter?

I love the way it helped and fertilized the yard and helped the regular
grass grow during the summer! I have 100 lbs. (seed) ready to go as soon
as I am sure the cold is here to stay!

I'm also going to plant off an enclosed spot for the chickens and gate
it until it's pretty tall, then let them have at it.

I love rye grass! It's so fast growing and pretty, and has a reliable
mortality.

Or maybe I'm just lazy in the winter and don't give a rats ass if I have
tall grass in the yard for a few months? lol




--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

I love rye grass! It's so fast growing and pretty, and has a reliable
mortality.

Or maybe I'm just lazy in the winter and don't give a rats ass if I
have tall grass in the yard for a few months? lol

Sounds like fun, I might have to try it!
G
Cindy

ginav wrote:
We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow
above the surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to
cover the roots with soil to protect the tree's health. We would like
to do this soon, but are unsure what to plant once we have put the
soil down. The lawn is St Augustine, I have been told this grass
will only grow from sod, and should be put down in the spring. What
can I plant temporarily to keep soil in place that is cheap-- as I
will replace it in the spring, but I want it to be at least
presentable till then. Thanks!

Why? I never heard of that before. Don't cover them deep, or you'll
suffocate it.

Cindy

On Fri, 07 Oct 2005 18:09:30 GMT, "ginav"
wrote:

We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow above the
surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to cover the roots with
soil to protect the tree's health. We would like to do this soon, but are
unsure what to plant once we have put the soil down. The lawn is St
Augustine, I have been told this grass will only grow from sod, and should
be put down in the spring. What can I plant temporarily to keep soil in
place that is cheap-- as I will replace it in the spring, but I want it to
be at least presentable till then. Thanks!


You were given misinformation. Surface roots serve a function on
certain trees. One of the major functions, it is thought, is to have
better gas exchange capacity. I don't recommend covering surface
roots on trees, not ever.

We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow
above the surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to
cover the roots with soil to protect the tree's health.

*SNIP*

You were given misinformation. Surface roots serve a function on
certain trees. One of the major functions, it is thought, is to have
better gas exchange capacity. I don't recommend covering surface
roots on trees, not ever.

Thank you! I was hoping someone who knew for *sure* would answer.

Cindy

"ginav" wrote in message
om...
We have an older established tree whose roots are starting to grow above
the
surface of the lawn. We have been told that we need to cover the roots
with
soil to protect the tree's health. We would like to do this soon, but are
unsure what to plant once we have put the soil down. The lawn is St
Augustine, I have been told this grass will only grow from sod, and should
be put down in the spring. What can I plant temporarily to keep soil in
place that is cheap-- as I will replace it in the spring, but I want it to
be at least presentable till then. Thanks!



Most arborists will tell you to leave the surface root travel alone. This
where the tree gets most its water and nutrients. The tap root and sister
roots are primarily for establishing the tree.

Find an arborist to verify the surface root structure compared to the trunk
depth in regards to burying the surface travelers. Pecan trees are
notorious for above ground travelers.

As noted in another reply, winter rye is good for winter coverage. It won't
sprout until the temp is around 40F, and alot of native rain/drizzle is
present. So don't expect much until then. If allowed to form seed,
reseeding the following season is probably unneeded. New seed will lay
dormant until such time the temp and precipitation is adequate. The color
is awesome, very lush green with a very minor touch of blue. Grows well
even in red clay soil which my St. Augustine (Palmetto) hates.

As noted in another reply, winter rye is good for winter coverage.
It won't sprout until the temp is around 40F, and alot of native
rain/drizzle is present. So don't expect much until then. If
allowed to form seed, reseeding the following season is probably
unneeded. New seed will lay dormant until such time the temp and
precipitation is adequate. The color is awesome, very lush green
with a very minor touch of blue. Grows well even in red clay soil
which my St. Augustine (Palmetto) hates.

Any chance of finding seed in Home Depot? I want to try some. I wouldn't
mind mowing in winter. My son needs something to do, ha ha!

On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 16:11:55 GMT, "Cindy" wrote:


As noted in another reply, winter rye is good for winter coverage.
It won't sprout until the temp is around 40F, and alot of native
rain/drizzle is present. So don't expect much until then. If
allowed to form seed, reseeding the following season is probably
unneeded. New seed will lay dormant until such time the temp and
precipitation is adequate. The color is awesome, very lush green
with a very minor touch of blue. Grows well even in red clay soil
which my St. Augustine (Palmetto) hates.

Any chance of finding seed in Home Depot? I want to try some. I wouldn't
mind mowing in winter. My son needs something to do, ha ha!


Sure, you can buy it anywhere now. You may want to go with perennial
rye. Some don't like that, but if you are wanting this each year,
it's nice to use the perennial rye. It's pretty inexpensive and the
whole trick is to keep it moist till it germinates. So, that means
you may have to hand water it about 4 times a day to keep the surface
moist and you will have to rough up the soil a little so they have
contact with the soil.

In article ,
"Cindy" wrote:

As noted in another reply, winter rye is good for winter coverage.
It won't sprout until the temp is around 40F, and alot of native
rain/drizzle is present. So don't expect much until then. If
allowed to form seed, reseeding the following season is probably
unneeded. New seed will lay dormant until such time the temp and
precipitation is adequate. The color is awesome, very lush green
with a very minor touch of blue. Grows well even in red clay soil
which my St. Augustine (Palmetto) hates.

Any chance of finding seed in Home Depot? I want to try some. I wouldn't
mind mowing in winter. My son needs something to do, ha ha!



Probably. :-)
I get mine in 50 lb. sacks from Amkon feed. I don't remember what I paid
for it, but it was quite reasonable considering it's grass seed. It was
affordable.

The more, the better! I'll be planting another 100 lbs. probably the end
of October.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"Cindy" wrote in message
...

As noted in another reply, winter rye is good for winter coverage.
It won't sprout until the temp is around 40F, and alot of native
rain/drizzle is present. So don't expect much until then. If
allowed to form seed, reseeding the following season is probably
unneeded. New seed will lay dormant until such time the temp and
precipitation is adequate. The color is awesome, very lush green
with a very minor touch of blue. Grows well even in red clay soil
which my St. Augustine (Palmetto) hates.

Any chance of finding seed in Home Depot? I want to try some. I wouldn't
mind mowing in winter. My son needs something to do, ha ha!



Consider trying something resembling a feed or garden store. Seeding for
winter cover is normally a rural thing. HD and Lowes are more into
urban/suburban needs in the gardening section.