Pine tree, roots and needles.- photo by Rita Elliot

If you have a large pine tree in the front yard, chances are that the grass just doesn't seem to grow very well under it. Indeed, growing lawns under pines is difficult for several reasons:

1. The shade under a pine is quite dense.

2. The canopy of the pine is so thick that it keeps natural rainfall from reaching the soil.

3. When needles are shed, they make a thick mulch that acidifies the soil, something many floral plants dislike.

4. Pine roots are shallow so they take up most of the moisture - lawns and ground covers just can't compete.

Instead of struggling to get grass to grow under the tree, you might consider placing a bench there so you can enjoy the tree's shade, perhaps surrounded by pots or planters filled with shade-loving plants, such as impatiens, caladium, and coleus.