[Growster...]

In the Bedgebury Pinetum, where we spend quite a lot of time walking our dog, there is one particular area where the grass just doesn't seem to grow beyond a couple of inches at best.

It definitely isn't worn down by feet, as it is a randomly wide area, admittedly a path, but not defined as such, and although there is occasional mowing elsewhere, this section - about 200 yds by approx 10 yards wide, is never mowed and also just never seems to grow!

For those who know the place, it is the route back to the car park from the south-west end of Lady Mildred's walk. These several grass paths loosely follow tracks up the slope, up to the route into the forest, where 'Lapland' started a few years ago.

The grass is a pale green - almost blue-green in places, and covers a lot of shallow roots of the surrounding Cypressus trees, which also makes the walk a bit hazardous if you're not careful, but is a delight to walk on - even after rain!

It must be hard-wearing turf, and I'd have thought would be a godsend for gardens with lots of kids outside enjoing themselves!

Any ideas anyone?

[arugula]

I can picture exactly the surface you mean, but my brain not being able to pin down the name straight away, wants to say saxifrage or sedum which I don't think are right.... A picture might help jog my memory , although I'm sure someone else will be along soon....

[JayG]

Not much help if it's something other than grass, but my "grass" lawn only grows if I feed it, although it stays green (ish!)

If I don't bother feeding I barely have to cut it once a month even in summer; I think it's mainly due to the poor sandy soil it's growing on (can't decide whether this is a good or bad thing!)   

[arugula]

That's a good point JayG. The grass in the field next to our garden (where the lawn flourishes ), never grows. It has sheep on it for about 5 months year max. because there isn't enough grass and has only been treated once in seven years. The blue-green description in the original question makes me think it isn't ordinary grass - sedge perhaps? 

[Growster...]

Interesting all this - many thanks!

I'm going to try and get a good picture on here, but will have to wait a day or so...

If I can collar the Curator, who is the most knowledgeable guy on trees that I've ever met, I'll ask him, but also be prepared for a three hour discourse, delivered with humour, skill and a big laugh!

We asked him a basic question about toadstools once, and it was nearly dark when he'd finished...

[Growster...]

Sorry about the wait, here are some pics of this particular grass area.

The close ups are not particularly worthy of David Bailey! Theyshow a bit of moss, which is not what I'm seeing in general areas here!

The longer shots show how the paths define themselves.

There may be a case for the areas being 'worn' down, but surely not at this time of year! And it never seems to get any longer either!

[arugula]

The top picture certainly does show moss, the middle one is quite clear and I wonder if it is just something like a mix containing a high proportion of red fescue? I'm afraid I'm not an expert on grass types.

The dog sems to be enjoying it though and I can see why, it looks like a lovely place.

[joyfull]

just been googling and found a product called Eco Lawn which has the following mix in it:-

Sheep Fescue
Lifine Slender Fescue
Longfellow II Chewings Fescue
Navigator Creeping Red Fescue
Jasper II Creeping Red Fescue
Heron Hard Fescue
Chariot Hard Fescue

apparently it only grows to 3 inches high so can be left un-mown.
so as Argyllie said a high red fescue content type of grass 

[arugula]

so as Argyllie said a high red fescue content type of grass 

Well surely I have to absorb some information working for a seed merchant.

[joyfull]

  whereas I just google everything (although I did once study a little bit about grasses for golf courses  ).

[Growster...]

just been googling and found a product called Eco Lawn which has the following mix in it:-

Sheep Fescue
Lifine Slender Fescue
Longfellow II Chewings Fescue
Navigator Creeping Red Fescue
Jasper II Creeping Red Fescue
Heron Hard Fescue
Chariot Hard Fescue

apparently it only grows to 3 inches high so can be left un-mown.
so as Argyllie said a high red fescue content type of grass 

We were there today, and still can't work out what it is!

Call Hemlock Shears...

[Growster...]

whereas I just google everything (although I did once study a little bit about grasses for golf courses  ).

Just got a teeny bit bored with the Countryfile piece on St Andrews Joy!

I reckon 80 greenkeeper staff is a little over the top, (rather like my 5 iron shots were, when I used to play before I grew a bit older...!)