Re- planting after a spruce tree stump is removed

[tom renwald]

We recently removed a large spruce tree from our garden. The stump and surrounding area was ground up with a grinder. Neighbors have suggested that replanting the area is difficult because the decomposing needles in the soil have a retarding effect on new plant growth. Is this true? If so, how do we over come the situatilon.

[Chowmom]

What are you thinking about putting in there? Grass seed, sod, another tree, etc.?

[tom renwald]

What are you thinking about putting in there? Grass seed, sod, another tree, etc.?

We intend to plant grass and flowers.

[smokensqueal]

I would test the soil PH to see where that is at. I'm sure it will be fairly low because of the needles. I would then build a little bed around it and fill it with maybe a foot of clean soil. Then I would just add a plant that likes that type of PH soil. I would think trying to change the PH of the soil would be kind of hard because of the amount of needles that have been there. Take a look at this list it might help you out as to what plant likes that PH.

https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/index.html#https://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/TRA/PLANTS/acidlove.html

[tom renwald]

[quote="smokensqueal"]I would test the soil PH to see where that is at. I'm sure it will be fairly low because of the needles. I would then build a little bed around it and fill it with maybe a foot of clean soil. Then I would just add a plant that likes that type of PH soil. I would think trying to change the PH of the soil would be kind of hard because of the amount of needles that have been there. Take a look at this list it might help you out as to what plant likes that PH.

https://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/index.html#https://www.col

Thank you for the advice. We are having a ph test reformed. With the results of the test , we will be able to select a suitable planting.