Growing Grass in the Shade

Spring has arrived and attention quicky turns to turf care. For some it is a never-ending exercise in frustration to try and get grass to grow in shaded areas. Perhaps it is time to make some adjustments and even think outside the box.

Kentucky bluegrass is a popular species used in turfgrass mixes, but it will perform poorly in shaded areas. Instead, consider a fine fescue that is adapted to shade, but does not tolerate heavy foot traffic. Rough bluegrass and supina bluegrass will tolerate shade, but require moist conditions and different management techniques.

Combining several species and varieties like fine fescue grasses, including creeping, hard, and Chewing fescue, with some bluegrass and perennial ryegrass will prevent failure from one climate or disease event. The best ratio will depend on the moisture level available.

To enhance the chance of successfully growing grass in shade, thin out the canopy of any trees to allow more sunlight to pass through. Fine fescue grasses require at least four hours of dappled sunlight. This can be achieved by pruning tree branches of deciduous trees to at least ten feet above the ground. With conifer trees, this might not be visually appealing and an alternate ground cover might be appropriate.

In order to maximize the nutrient uptake of the grass, core aerate the area in the fall four weeks before the first frost. Turf grown in the shade requires less nutrients than turf grown in the sun. Therefore, fertilize at about half the rate, no more than two pounds of
nitrogen per 1,000 square foot per year, using a fertilizer that has 25-50% of the nitrogen listed as slow release.

When mowing shaded turf, keep the mower height set at 3-4 inches and never remove more than one-third of the blade at a time. Because fine fescue grasses do not tolerate heavy foot traffic, consider putting down a mulched pathway or stepping stones to minimize stress on the turf. 

While shaded grass does not use as much water, it also does not receive as much if it is covered by trees. So, make sure it has adequate moisture. Water infrequently, but deeply, making sure it gets an inch of water a week for rough bluegrass or one-half inch for fescue.

Make certain that leaves are removed promptly and completely in the fall. Their presence will inhibit photosynthesis in an already difficult situation during a time when the grass is storing energy for the winter.

If growing grass has become a lost cause, consider some of the alternate ground covers for shaded areas. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a low, rapidly spreading, creeping evergreen groundcover with a small spring flower. Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) is a low growing groundcover with variegated foliage that will die back in the winter and regrow in the spring.  It works well under conifer trees and spreads rapidly. Canada wildginger (Asarum canadense) is a native Wisconsin groundcover that is very cold hardy, spreads rapidly and will die back in the winter to regrow in the spring.

Whether it is a grass that will grow in shade or an alternate ground cover, there is something made in the shade for every landscape.

Carol Shirk

Certified Master Gardener