What To Do When You Want To Grow Turf-grass In The Shade

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Growing turfgrass in the shade is a major issue for many homeowners since 20-25 percent of all grass areas in the U.S. are prone to shade by varying degrees. While it's not always advisable to even try to maintain beautiful turfgrass in all shaded conditions, the following steps are recommended to maximize turfgrass in shady areas.

Even the most shade tolerant turfgrass needs at least 50 percent sunlight or a minimum of four hours of sunlight daily to survive.Pruning a tree's canopy and its lower 8 to 10 feet of limbs will allow more sunlight to reach the ground, but it may be destructive to the tree or spoil its natural appearance. If you can't deliver minimal sunlight required for turfgrass, you can contact lawn care services in Stuart and tell them to switch to a more shade tolerant option.


Select the option that is most suitable or tolerant to your climate. species of turfgrass cary across species especially in terms of light requirement. Shade tolerance rankings haven been given by studies and researchers over the years.

  • For warm season turfgrass, recommendations are (starting with the most tolerant) – St. Augustinegrass; Centipedegrass; Zoysiagrass; Bahiagrass; Carpetgrass; Bermudagrass.
  • For cool-season turfgrass, which is the most shade tolerant option first – Fine fescue; Bentgrass; Rough bluegrass; shade tolerant cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass; Tall fescue; Perennial ryegrass; and non-shade tolerant cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass.

 

Select trees that compliment turf's presence.

  • Trees entailing dense coverage and shallow root systems generate problems for the turf. hence certain varieties should be avoided such as maples, oaks, magnolias, elms and sweet gums because of their dense coverage. Stay clear of beeches, maples and willows due to their shallow root systems.
  • The open coverage of trees such as poplars, birches, pines, locusts and ginkgos usually work well in tandem with turfgrass.
  • Adjust turf maintenance practices to maximize the chances of success.
  • Water infrequently, early in the morning, applying enough water at a single time to moisten the soil five to eight inches (12.5 to 20 cm) deep. This action will help curb the potential outbreak or infection of turf diseases that favor damp, shady areas.
  • Mow at the maximum height range recommended for the specific turfgrass cultivar, using a sharp mower blade, and removing no more than the top one-third of the turfgrass blades. Most of the heavy shaded turfgrass usually grow upright and stringy to help increase the leaf surface and gather any available sunlight there may be. Mowing at a greater than normal height allows this phenomenon to continue.
  • Fertilize at half-rates of nitrogen, as compared to the sunnier areas of the lawn, and increase potassium rates. Nitrogen helps increase thickness and help them engorge that lead to decrease in wear and tear and increase in disease proximity. Potassium helps improve tolerance for wear and tear and helps decrease disease proximity.


Reduce heavy use of the shaded turfgrass areas, which your expert you called for lawn care services in Stuart will point out.. As fragile as shaded turfgrass plants are, it does not take much to tear out their shallow root systems, or otherwise damage the plant beyond its ability to recover. Limiting heavy use of these areas will give the turfgrass more opportunities to battle the other shortcomings it is contending with already. Another suggestion, which may not be practical in all situations, is to simply plan to re-sod heavily shaded areas every few years, as part of the yard's overall maintenance and improvement plan. Removal of the worn and torn turfgrass that's of no use anymore and replacing it with denser, more mature turfgrass sod, can immediately refresh a dying and suffering area.
Accepting the fact that even the most shade tolerant turfgrass will thin-out over two to five years and planning to re-sod at that point can accomplish a homeowner's dream. Herbicide should be applied on rare occasions since this will add another issue to on an already less than ideal growing situation.