Laying new turf around tree

Hello all,

Looking for some advice. Would it be possible to lay turf in this area, given that there are many large tree roots and the space gets little sun. I started digging it out but stopped because of the number of roots.

if not turf, any suggestions for alternative ideas are welcome. The other side of the garden has a patio and small area of grass.

 

Can you possibly post a photo and say a little more about the tree?

 

Where are you will also be a help with suggestions. All you need to say is something like Shetland or Hampshire.

 

Apologies, forgot to attach the photo!

we are in Bath.

 

I would think about ground cover plants, hardy geraniums, Ajuga reptans, variegated dead nettles.
Spring flowering bulbs like small species crocuses, small daffodils, cyclamen can be both spring and autumn flowering.

 

Regarding photo could you indicate the area you want to plant up and how about access to the shed are you going to put a path in or where you going to walk on the turf?

 

@Fullerj4 -I'd agree with @NigelJ - various perennials and bulbs would be much better than grass, as the area is clearly very shaded, at least through summer. I use Iberis [perennial candytuft] and Saxifraga urbium for ground cover which are both pretty easy plants. The shade just makes it difficult for grass to thrive, so ground cover planting is a better option. You can always add a few annuals as well.
You could have a few evergreens too, depending on the depth of soil and whether it's moist enough, to save lots of watering through summer. Hebes do best with plenty of sun, but they'll also grow in shady sites- you just wouldn't get as many flowers, and you may be able to fit a few other species in, especially at the edges of the tree line. I don't have much in the way of drier shade, but others will be able to make suggestions for that.
Access for the shed would certainly need a path of some kind or you'd just be trampling over the plants. That can be made in various ways.
If the little section to the left of the shed isn't being used for anything else, you could even prep that part and have a climber on the side of the shed.

 

Thanks everyone. Very helfpul. I should have mentioned that we have two small children, so ground cover plants may be in danger! But still potentially the best option (with a path to the shed).

 

Re young children - Grass would also get annihilated then!
You could certainly get turf laid, but- and it's a big but, you can't use it for a while after laying, so you'd need to do it in early autumn or so to give it a chance to establish by next spring/summer. Then you'd just have to accept that it won't look great until the kids are older and more interested in 'other things'. Keeping it slightly longer in summer will also help prevent it being jiggered completely, but it's a very small area which is also much harder to keep looking good.
You can certainly get grass/turf that's more suited to shady sites.

 

Another point is that the grass will compete with the tree for water, so as well the shade the grass could struggle for water.
However as above; it's an early autumn project when it's a bit damper hopefully.

 

We had two very mature trees in our front garden round the corner from this house. It had to be very hot and dry for long periods for it to affect the grass very much, but we have plenty of regular rainfall, so it wasn't a great problem. The direction the rain predominantly came from was also quite an open part of the garden , so all those things made it easier for the grass to thrive quite well.
Without that situation though, it's iffy....

 

I would not even think about trying to grow grass under your tree. A decent weed membrane and loads of bark chippings. The children can play on it and your sanity preserved.The bark will need hoeing to keep weeds under control eventually.

 

I'd also go for the bark option, you won't need to nag your children about avoiding any plants and it will make accessing your shed easy. No need for a membrane if you lay it thick enough, at least 2 inches. It will need topping up occasionally. You can get bark developed for children's play areas known as play bark. I'd also get a leaf blower to make it easier to clear the area when your tree drops its leaves. You could place a large pot in the area if you want some interest and grow a shade tolerant plant like a Hosta, Hydrangea, Phormium or Heuchera.