Growing Grass Under Trees

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine
TheFamilyHandyman.com

Shade-tolerant grass seed
Shade seed and fescue mixtures work best in cool-season areas

Growing grass under shade trees isn’t easy, but one key to success is choosing the right shade grass species and planting method for your region. In cool-season areas (check the zone map at lawngrasses.com), you’ll get a better result using seed rather than sod. Sod is grown in wide-open fields under conditions that favor sun-loving grasses. Choose red and tall fescues for shady areas in Northern zones. Garden centers will have grass seed mixes formulated for shade. Late summer and mid-spring are the best times to establish cool-season grasses in shady areas.

In warm-season areas, St. Augustine grass is probably your best choice for moderate shade. Unfortunately, this species is not currently available as seed, so the only way to plant it is with plugs, sod or sprigs (a significantly more expensive proposition). St. Augustine grass has limited cold and drought tolerance.

To help ensure success with shade grasses:

• Don’t skimp on the prep work. You’ll need to rototill before planting and keep the area watered and weed free to give the grass time to fill in.
• Selectively prune tree limbs to allow more light to reach the turf and improve turf quality.

Shade-tolerant grass plugs
St. Augustine grass plugs are your best bet in warm-season areas.