I am many times asked what grass grows best in the shade. The truth of the matter is no turf type grass will grow well in heavy shade.  Grasses differ in their ability to endure shade.  Fescue will do much better in shade than Bermudagrass.  Some types of turf fescues are more adaptive to shade than others.  Fescue blends with Creeping Red fescue do fairly well in shade.  It is important to remember areas in full sun during winter months may be in shade of trees during spring through fall.

If you decide to take the challenge of planting in the shade, there are a few steps which may be taken to improve turfgrass performance under shade conditions.

Ø  Raise the cutting height to increase the leaf area.

Ø  Reduce applications of nitrogen fertilizers.

Ø  Use deep and infrequent irrigations to increase a deeper root system.

Ø  Remove grass clippings, pine needles and other debris to encourage turf establishment.  Fallen tree leaves may smother the grass or provide a home for insect and disease organisms.

Ø  Control traffic in shaded areas to protect turf from wear injury.

Ø  Maintain a regular weed control program to reduce plant competition and to improve the appearance of the overall landscape.

Ø  Light intensity can be improved by pruning the tree limbs below 10 feet or through selective pruning of branches in the crown of the tree.  Undesirable trees may be eliminated from the landscape.

Ø  In hard to establish situations, use a suitable ground cover.  Monkey grass (Liriope Muscari) excel as a ground cover in some shade.  Plants such as English Ivy are also a suitable ground cover but may spread into other areas.  In some case the “natural look” with pine straw, etc., may be best. 

For additional information contact your local County Extension Office at (706) 265-2442.