Survey Line-up Addition

I let the grass grow out next to the fence in this area. I took a little border rake to it to groom and clean it. I like the look. There is some clearance between the fence and earth, the grass is light and long, the fence is clean and preserved. The turf alongside is thick and even. Down the line there is no border grass, no turf, and the fence is dirty. It is a mud hole. This tells me I need to get something in that place to protect the fence.

The soil around the magnolia tree was compacted and low branches blocked sunlight so that nothing would grow there. I removed the low branches to accommodate the fence and that allows more light there. My spike sandals do a fabulous job of breaking up the compacted soil. I think the turf between the magnolia tree and the fence will eventually grow in to connect. Some variety of grass more tolerant of shade will decide to take a stand and spring up to fill in the gap.

When I come to address this situation I will divide and glean a bit from every clump of lariope on the grounds and plant that along the fence where there is nothing. That won't cost anything but labor. This tells me I should do what I can to propagate the lariope to grow as much as possible between now and then. On the other hand, I may find some kind of interesting decorative border grass at a bargain price which would look neat here. I would like to have the turf growing in here and all along the fence as a walk way with a border of tall grass on the fence and a ring of compost around the base of the magnolia tree. This would accommodate the mower nicely.