Are you trying to grow grass in a shaded area and feeling frustrated? Growing grass in the shade is no simple feat. We have a lot of homeowners express their feelings of frustration that the grass under their trees isn’t growing the way they want it to grow. But there are reasons why that’s the case.
Like other plants on your property, your grass plants require sunlight for the natural photosynthesis process to occur. Without that process, grass simply will not thrive the way that it should.
When you grow grass in a shaded area, it tends to be thin and lacks the lush green color that you desire.
People often ask us how to grow grass in shady areas….and if it’s even possible. While it’s challenging, it can be achievable with the right approach.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to grow grass in the shade.
#1: Trim the Canopy of the Tree to Allow More Sunlight to Filter Through
All grass types (even shade-loving varieties) require at least some sunlight. For that reason, the best way to grow grass in a shaded area is to reduce that shade by trimming the canopy of your tree (or trees).
If you have more than one tree on your property, their canopies are likely starting to grow together, reducing the shade even further. Over time, less and less sunlight will reach your lawn.
But you can begin to get some sunlight to reach the grass by raising the canopy. This will allow sunlight to filter through. Obviously, it’s not going to be as much sunlight as if there were no trees, but for the right grass type (a point we’ll talk about next), it should be enough to help the grass grow.
While not a service offered by Oasis Turf & Tree, you want to find a tree pruning company that can perform this task properly. It’s also not a once-and-done type of job. You’ll need to keep up with periodic pruning in order to ensure that you get continued benefits.
#2: Plant a More Shade-Tolerant Grass Type
One of the reasons why grass beneath trees sometimes fails is that you have a grass type planted that needs quite a bit of sunlight. For that reason, planting a more shade-tolerant grass type is a potential way to grow grass in a shaded area.
As we mentioned above, even shade-tolerant grass types require at least some sunlight (all grasses do), but they can go for longer periods without receiving as much sunlight as other grasses.
The best grass type for shaded areas is Turf Type Tall Fescue.
This is what Oasis Turf & Tree uses when performing an aeration and overseeding service for homeowners. It performs well in our region in general and can handle some shade.
You should continually be introducing new grass types into your lawn, which is why we recommend aeration and overseeding be performed annually.
This will also help address the fact that grass growing beneath a tree tends to be thin. You will help to thicken up those areas and fill in the bare spots when you have overseeding performed.
#3: Have Realistic Expectations and Provide some “TLC”
When people ask us, Can I grow grass in shade? we are always honest that it can be challenging but achievable. At Oasis Turf & Tree, you can always count on us to be transparent when answering such questions.
The truth is, if you are diligent about pruning your trees and introducing better, more shade-tolerant grass types to your lawn, that can make a world of difference.
But, it’s still important to have realistic expectations.
Every situation is different. If you have particularly heavy tree cover and your property is VERY shady, it’s going to be more of a challenge (as opposed to a somewhat shady property).
Sometimes even with pruning, a property with a lot of trees and heavy shade can still have grass that struggles. If it’s just one area of your property, maybe that’s something you can live with and it’s not that big of a deal.
That one area might require some “TLC” in the form of extra attention.
Shade grass tends to be stressed more easily, particularly when over-fertilized or over-treated with herbicides. We’ll be careful in those shady spots when caring for your lawn. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re cautious when mowing and not putting any added stress on the lawn.
In general, grass under trees does tend to compete with the nutrients and moisture from those trees. So you do need to make sure the lawn is getting what it needs without overdoing it.
However, if it’s more than one area, perhaps it’s more than you want to deal with.
In some cases, if it becomes such a struggle and frustration to grow grass in a shaded area, some homeowners take a more drastic step, like tree removal. While that isn’t the right course of action for everyone (we understand that people love their trees), it can sometimes be the right step if you’re finding you are more frustrated than you want to be with the state of your lawn.
After all, a thin and shady lawn also tends to get muddier when it rains and causes other issues, too. If you feel like your shaded lawn is too much of a problem, tree removal is a potential option.
Another option would be to consider a grass alternative.
For instance, you could use a mulch ring around your tree and extend it over the areas where grass is struggling to grow. Some homeowners also use these areas to establish plant beds with shade perennials and shrubs. They still add an aesthetic appeal to the property but won’t require as much sunlight as grass to grow.
At the end of the day, you have to find the right solution that will work for your wants and needs. If you have questions, we’re always available to help.
Choosing Lawn Care Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky
Trying to grow grass in a shaded area can feel like an impossible feat. But most of the time, we can have a lot of success by encouraging homeowners to keep up with tree pruning and annually aerating and overseeding their lawns with a better grass type.
In those cases where that’s not enough, then we can talk through alternative options with homeowners so they can determine what’s right for them.
In the end, what we care about is that you’re happy and enjoying your lawn to the fullest. Quite often, we are able to help homeowners improve their shady lawns while not taking drastic measures (like tree removal), and that makes us happy, too.
No matter what, you can always count on us to be straightforward and transparent in our recommendations. We want to be your trusted guide that can help set you up for success.
Ready to learn about professional lawn care services from Oasis Turf & Tree for your Cincinnati, Dayton, Ohio, or Northern Kentucky home? Request your quote, choose the lawn care program that’s right for you, and then sit back and relax as the pros take away your worries and help you get the lawn of your dreams!
