The best grass for shady areas
1 of 2
Shade-tolerant grass seed
Shade seed and fescue mixtures work best in
cool-season areas.
2 of 2
Shade-tolerant grass plugs
St. Augustine grass plugs
are your best bet in warm-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.
