How to Make Grass Grow in the Shade

Most lawns have trees, which can create patches of shade. While a shady area can be a great place to relax in the spring and summer, it can also make it difficult for grass to grow. If you are struggling to grow a thick and healthy lawn in an area of your lawn that is shaded for most of the day, here are some tips to help.

How Much Sunlight Does Grass Need?

Most species of grass need four to six hours of sunlight. This does not necessarily need to be direct sunlight. If light shines through the branches of trees and reaches the grass, that can be enough for it to grow.

Some species of grass are more shade-tolerant than others. Species such as rye, fine and tall fescues, zoysia, and St. Augustine can survive in the shade. Choose a blend of grass seeds for shade-tolerant species that are suited to your region’s climate.

How to Help Your Grass Get More Sun

Pruning your trees can help the grass grow better in the shade. Cutting lower branches and pruning interior branches can allow more light to reach the ground under the tree. This can also improve air circulation to the center of the tree and make it healthier.

You will need to adjust the way you mow your lawn in shady areas. Cut your lawn ½ to 1 inch higher in the shade than you would in sunny areas. Cutting the grass longer will leave more leaf area to absorb sunlight. Alternate directions each time you mow your lawn. Do not scalp the grass in shady areas because it may not recover.

How to Minimize Stress on Your Lawn

You can help the grass grow in the shade by minimizing stress. Place stepping stones on the lawn so the grass will not be trampled. You can also overseed the lawn once or twice a year.

You should limit the use of herbicides on grass in the shade because they can cause stress. If you have a problem with weeds, apply broadleaf herbicide once in the fall. In other cases, you can spot-spray weeds with an herbicide if necessary. Read the label to make sure it will not harm the trees.

The grass in a shady area does not need as much fertilizer as the grass in a sunny area. Grass in shade only needs one-half to two-thirds the amount of nitrogen that is needed in a sunny area. Apply fertilizer lightly in early spring to the lawn under trees and then repeat in early fall.

How to Make Sure Grass in the Shade Gets Enough Water

The soil tends to be drier under a tree because less rainfall reaches the ground and the roots absorb moisture. The grass under a tree needs to be watered more often than grass in sunny areas. You do not need to water the lawn more if the shade is created by a building.

Using a sprinkler system can help you make sure each part of your lawn gets the right amount of water. You can program it to water specific sections of your lawn for specific amounts of time so that areas in the shade get more water than sunny areas. Sprinkler System Store carries a selection of sprinklers and timers made by top manufacturers. Order a sprinkler system today.