Growing Grass in the Shade (2024)

FAQs

Growing Grass in the Shade? ›

Select shade tolerant

Will grass grow in the shade? Most lawn grasses need four to six hours of direct sun to survive. Some shade-tolerant grass types grow as long as light hits that four-hour quota – and that light doesn't have to be full sun. Four to six hours of dappled or filtered sunlight can fuel the growth of a healthy lawn.

The grasses that grow best in full shade are zoysia grass and hard fescue, and they also grow well in partial shade. Consider alternative ground covers such as moss for full-shade environments with fewer than four hours of direct sunlight.

Eventually, even an area where grass has always grown well before will no longer get enough sun and grass will die out. This may be caused by one or more trees, large shrubs and even trees on neighboring property.

Works well in some areas

I alo mix it with shady nooks and use it to overseed in the really shady areas. It works because the shady nooks acts a buffer. Dense shade has primarily fine fescue and its needs some some sun to thrive. Done use it in areas that gets 20% sunlight or less.

Whether you're planting a new lawn in a shady area or trying to thicken a lawn that's thinning from the encroaching shade of growing trees, look for seed mixes that are dominated by fescues. Fescues should emerge within 14 to 21 days after being planted.

The 5 Low Maintenance Grass Types

Fine fescues, including Slender Creeping Red Fescue, Strong Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Hard Fescue, and Sheep Fescue, are the key to achieving a low-maintenance lawn. These five fescue varieties are highly suitable for low-maintenance lawns due to their various advantages.

Add shade-tolerant seed

Overseed with grass varieties that are best suited to shadier conditions for maximum benefit. The fine-fescue family of grasses, which includes chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, sheep fescue, and hard fescue, performs best in cool-season lawns.

In shady areas, people usually find that sod suffers. It doesn't seem to root, or it turns yellow due to the lack of sunlight. All sod needs direct sunlight, and we recommend at least 60 percent sun thought the day, however if you are having issues with the lawn not surviving the shade we recommend shade blend.

KY-31 Tall Fescue at a Glance

Cool-season grass suitable for northern and transition zones. Improved heat tolerance over many tall fescue varieties. Tolerant of drought, shade and traffic.

What is the most shade-tolerant lawn? ›

Tall fescue, fine-leaf rye and Dichondra are the most shade-tolerant. They will grow in environments with very little sun; however, keep in mind that tall fescue is neither drought-tolerant nor hard-wearing. It is more for ornamental purposes or for areas that won't get used much.

Depending on where you live, there are certain grass types that are designed to thrive in shade. If you live in the North, try a fescue blend, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Dense Shade Mix. If you live in the South, try a zoysia seed mix, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch.

Less sunlight for the leaves also means a weaker root system that is not as able to recuperate from wear. This is doubly bad when dogs are confined in a small area under a tree. The grass soon disappears due to increased wear and decreased ability to grow. The second problem for shade grasses is reduced air movement.

For deeply-shaded areas that are sorely in need of a quick pick-me-up, perennial ryegrass may save the day. Ryegrass grows fast—it's the fastest grass seed to germinate—and it tolerates heavy foot traffic, and cold, rainy climates. Just know that you'll need to over-seed annually.

Turf-type tall fescues (needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight) and fine fescues, such as hard fescue, creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue are best suited for shady areas. Hard fescue is the best performer in the group.

In shady areas, people usually find that sod suffers. It doesn't seem to root, or it turns yellow due to the lack of sunlight. All sod needs direct sunlight, and we recommend at least 60 percent sun thought the day, however if you are having issues with the lawn not surviving the shade we recommend shade blend.

Reduce the amount of shade by removing some trees or big limbs to give the lawn more sunlight. If you can make sure the area gets at least 5 hours of sunlight, then TifBlair Centipede, TifTuf Bermudagrass, and Zoysiagrasses will grow well in those areas. Give the grass a break!

Overseed the thin area with grass seed for shade in the spring and fall. Small areas can be seeded by hand casting, while large areas often benefit from the use of a drop spreader.