Question
The area shaded by the roofline on the northern side of our home looks like its been attacked by grubs, but we are not certain. Grass won't grow and the clay soil (we live in SE Alabama)is very soft. The damage however is strictly limited to that area. In fact, you can practically see a line between the shaded area and the rest of the lawn (which is doing quite well).

I decided to turn this area into a shade flower garden. While digging holes, my husband found ONE dead, but intact grub. We don't know if this means we have a grub infestation or if this was just coincidence.

Is it ok for me to go ahead with my plantings and hope for the best? I'm not sure what to do now with the numerous holes in my yard.

Thank you.

Answer
One grub does not at all make for a problem. In fact, if grubs actually were a problem, you'd see tons of them, not just one dead one. On top of that, grubs tend to thrive in hot, sunny areas, not shady ones.

I think it's pretty certain that the area is just too shady. That's why you see the direct line of grass starting where the shade ends. Go ahead with your plantings, but make sure to check with a gardener as to what types of plants do best in low sunlight conditions.

Good luck!

-C.J. Brown