All grasses require light to grow. Some grasses do better in shaded areas than others, but none do well in heavy shade. If the source of the shade cannot be thinned or removed, you may want to consider mulching the area and installing ornamental plants adapted to heavy shade, or planting groundcover. Fine fescues and tall fescues tolerate moderate shade better than other species. If the turf gets thin during the summer when deciduous tree canopies block most of the light, you may plan to overseed the area every fall to have a better lawn during the winter and following spring. If shade is so intense that that grasses will not persist, a light seeding every fall and spring with a turf-type perennial ryegrass will improve the density of the lawn. Perennial ryegrass germinates quickly and has a texture similar to Kentucky bluegrass.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horticulture, lawns and turf, shade, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, overseed, shady