I have a question for you guys! I stumbled across this forum and thought you might have some advice. I'm in Florida, Zone 9b, and I have a
yard shaded by a large live oak tree (that puts up suckers all the time, ideas for that are also welcome). The St. Augustine grass grows great out front, but in the back there is a bit too much shade especially along the
fence line. I get some grass growing in the main part of the yard, but the
fence line is really just dirt that makes a mess. To make a ground cover option a bit trickier I have 7
chickens that I let out to free range for parts of the day and most of the weekend. So I would need something that once established would hold up to some grazing. Or something that wouldn't get kicked all over the yard like the white marble rocks and
mulch I have tried.
I have jasmine growing along one side by the house, that covers the ground and holds up to the
chickens, but it is a bit aggressive and I have to cut it back frequently, so I'm looking for other options. I also have a few spots that have white marble rocks in them, but the
chickens really like to kick those out and all over the yard. A friend said she uses seashells, but she said the chickens kick them all over and she is constantly putting them back in place too.
So I'm looking for ideas for the shady fence line in zone 9b, in a sandy mix of soil. I'd like it to be hardy and either something that can take a bit of grazing or that the chickens will ignore, but that they won't kick all over the yard or completely destroy in a day (after it is established). And preferably something that isn't invasive so I'm not constantly working to keep it from taking over the yard like the jasmine I have. It is a back yard in an urban environment, so I would like it to look nice.
I know, it is a tall order, but any advice and ideas would be appreciated.