Solutions for problem lawns

TIPS: WHAT TO PLANT IN SHADY SPOTS AND HOW TO CARE FOR IT TO FLOURISH

- Alice Spenser-Higgs

A green lawn, newly mown and with edges clipped, turns even the most ordinary garden into something special.

But a lawn that is in trouble affects the look of the whole garden, no matter how beautiful the flowers are.

There are various reasons why lawns don't thrive. It could be too much shade, compact soil, thatchy grass that forms a dense impenetrable mat, high foot traffic and even inadequate watering.

As trees grow and gardens become shadier, lawns like Kikuyu that grow in the sun are plunged into shade. The result is wispy, sparse grass that fails to grow, and no amount of fertiliser or watering seems to help.

Marlaen Straathof of Kirchhoffs recommends replacing such lawn with other varieties that cope with semi shade and even shade.

For areas that get sun and shade, 'Evergreen' is a mix of tufted and frost hardy creeping grasses that stay green all year, even in winter with watering and feeding.