ATOT Homeowners: Best Grass for Shady Areas?

[PanzerIV]

My backyard has a mix of large trees and smaller ones that allow for only certain areas to get exposure to the sun. During the day a lot of the back will get some sun, just not much of it. As it is now there is some grass coverage but also a lot of dirt patches that I want to do something with. I'd like to have a full, luscious backyard but I don't know if this is possible without removing some of the trees.

What grass can grow best in a shaded lot like mine? Also, the front yard gets plenty of sun so any suggestions of a hardy variety I can grow there? The previous owner obviously didn't care much about the appearance of the lawn but I do. I want it looking nice. Any helpful suggestions?

 

[rahvin]

You should state where you are, climate plays a big role in the best grass for your local area.

 

[vi edit]

http://www.gardenersnet.com/lawn/grass.htm
http://www.lawngrasses.com/

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

For cold season grass, creeping red fescue. For warm season grass, centipede grass. The only problem is that shade-tolerant grasses are not necessarily good for high traffic, so you may be looking at leaving your backyard alone for a long time until the grass really establishes itself.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: rahvin
You should state where you are, climate plays a big role in the best grass for your local area.

True. I am in Central Mississippi.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
For cold season grass, creeping red fescue. For warm season grass, centipede grass. The only problem is that shade-tolerant grasses are not necessarily good for high traffic, so you may be looking at leaving your backyard alone for a long time until the grass really establishes itself.

Drat. Hard to tell the kids to stay out of the backyard if you know what I mean! That's my son's favorite spot.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: PanzerIV

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
For cold season grass, creeping red fescue. For warm season grass, centipede grass. The only problem is that shade-tolerant grasses are not necessarily good for high traffic, so you may be looking at leaving your backyard alone for a long time until the grass really establishes itself.

Drat. Hard to tell the kids to stay out of the backyard if you know what I mean! That's my son's favorite spot.

You can probably buy a sun/shade mix at your local home improvement/garden store. Obviously, the more sun-loving species will take longer to establish, but it will also have better traffic resistance. If you can thin the shade area (trimming low branches, keeping the area well-raked) and don't cut your grass too agressively, you can probably still get something to grow. Just don't expect to have it done in a single season without resorting to sod.

If you really want an area for your kid(s) to run around, you might consider putting down beds of triple-shredded mulch.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw

Originally posted by: PanzerIV

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
For cold season grass, creeping red fescue. For warm season grass, centipede grass. The only problem is that shade-tolerant grasses are not necessarily good for high traffic, so you may be looking at leaving your backyard alone for a long time until the grass really establishes itself.

Drat. Hard to tell the kids to stay out of the backyard if you know what I mean! That's my son's favorite spot.

You can probably buy a sun/shade mix at your local home improvement/garden store. Obviously, the more sun-loving species will take longer to establish, but it will also have better traffic resistance. If you can thin the shade area (trimming low branches, keeping the area well-raked) and don't cut your grass too agressively, you can probably still get something to grow. Just don't expect to have it done in a single season without resorting to sod.

If you really want an area for your kid(s) to run around, you might consider putting down beds of triple-shredded mulch.

You could also try to put down some dwarf mondo grass and just mow it like regular grass. It takes a while to get it established (although it does creep) but it's tough as hell once it's growing. I have some in my front yard that jumped a bed and invaded my regular grass and I can't kill the stuff short of ripping it out of the ground.

 

[Mermaidman]

Central MS--Probably some variant of St. Augustine that's shade tolerant? I'm not sure if any St. Aug is THAT shade tolerant.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Central MS--Probably some variant of St. Augustine that's shade tolerant? I'm not sure if any St. Aug is THAT shade tolerant.

St.Augustine is a weed, it'll grow in some spots and then spread to the others eventually (in my experience, but I'm not an expert). Unfortunately it's about all we can get down here in S.FL that lasts.

 

[Ornery]

FeathersMcGraw nailed it exactly. Fescue is what you want, but you can't trample it, or it WILL die. Even the wheels of your lawn mower will kill it, but that's the only thing that will grow. Many people around here just plant pachysandra and ivy instead. Personally, I'm having pretty good luck growing mushrooms & moss.