I started some st Augustine in my Bermuda lawn last year. It is encroaching well into the Bermuda . The trick is to mow high and keep in mind that st Augustine thrives on less fertilizer than is optimal for Bermuda. I will more or less neglect the Bermuda and fertilize and water the St Augustine area, the encroachment area and the trees. I am starting while the trees are still small. Then again it's just grass and I would rather have plantings of perennial beds, veggie beds and walkways in all over(and I am digging up all the lawn a little at a time, less area for the st Augustine to take over any way) all that I need is just a small area of grass for the dogs to do there business in. That's what grass is for IMO, a canine latrine. But as long As I have a lawn I might as well keep it acceptable to city code. But, My vote for the shady grass(as long as the trees aren't sucking all moisture from the ground since that can cause die off of anything). Good luck and enjoy the Bermuda battle.

Indeed I was thinking slugs, as my amigo Jeff has stated...Prevalent mostly at night and early morning when conditions are warm and humid or wet... Succulents with their thick leaves and abundant moisture are ideal fodder for slugs and snails. Christopher

Welcome emg! Are you new to Colorado or just moved to new digs? We have 8 weeks or less of the growing season left, so if it's veggies your after, you should have time for lettuce and radishes. Without a cold frame or greenhouse, I can't think of much else you'll get a crop of before we see freezing temps. Hopefully Steve and Greg will chime in with some other choices. Maybe spinach and kale? You can plant garlic in a month or so. You can start planting perennials and trees soon, but I think it's still a little warm yet. Barb

Lettuce might be good now.