While cleaning up in the yard, I have come to the conclusion that having grass there is just not an option. The shade-happy backyard grass I seeded with last year has completely died over the winter. There are some minimal patches of grass, but most of the yard is mud.
So... what are some ground coverings I can plant there that aren't grass? The area is:
- shaded most of the day, although it gets a little direct sunlight and a lot of indirect light.
- soil is thick, rich, delta silt at just about the water table level. I aerated and sanded last year, and will again this year with even more sand, but short of ripping up all the soil up with a roto-rooter and completely re-bedding the area, it will remain thick, heavy and probably close to water-logged.
- must be able to survive a toddler running around on it.
- must be able to survive our winters... hovering around freezing, rarely below -5C, generally only a little snow
- more than adequately watered
I'm not sure what can survive in that area and survive the boy. Any suggestions? I just want something that will look green with good coverage, that I can mow with my push mower to keep it looking neat, and will stop going into the yard equaling a change of clothing and shoes due to the levels of mud.
I'm reasonably sure that's too much to ask, but thought I'd at least try.
So... what are some ground coverings I can plant there that aren't grass? The area is:
- shaded most of the day, although it gets a little direct sunlight and a lot of indirect light.
- soil is thick, rich, delta silt at just about the water table level. I aerated and sanded last year, and will again this year with even more sand, but short of ripping up all the soil up with a roto-rooter and completely re-bedding the area, it will remain thick, heavy and probably close to water-logged.
- must be able to survive a toddler running around on it.
- must be able to survive our winters... hovering around freezing, rarely below -5C, generally only a little snow
- more than adequately watered
I'm not sure what can survive in that area and survive the boy. Any suggestions? I just want something that will look green with good coverage, that I can mow with my push mower to keep it looking neat, and will stop going into the yard equaling a change of clothing and shoes due to the levels of mud.
I'm reasonably sure that's too much to ask, but thought I'd at least try.