It can be a challenge to be able to sow lush, flowering shade lawns. Lawn grasses often have a difficult time in shady areas because the conditions there hinder healthy, vigorous grass growth. By understanding the needs of grasses and the far-reaching effects of shade, you can overcome shade and have the garden you desire.
Sowing shade lawns – How the shade affects the lawn
Lawn grasses need light, air, water and nutrients - just like all plants. Trees, shrubs and buildings that shade parts of your lawn can prevent grasses from receiving these vital nutrients, affecting your lawn above and below ground. The leaves of trees and shrubs can block light and water from reaching the grass below, while the roots of the same plants deprive the grass roots of water, nutrients and oxygen. Shade can also cause the soil to retain too much moisture and worsen existing drainage problems.
In the shade, the grasses stretch to reach the sunlight and become thin and weak, much like houseplants that grow tall and spindly as they lean toward window light. The grass becomes weaker, loses its attractive color and becomes more susceptible to additional stresses such as pests and lawn diseases. The roots of shaded lawns grow shallow and growth slows.
The impact of large trees extends even beyond the shaded areas. Tree roots can cover an area up to seven times larger than the shaded area beneath the tree's branches. Even in very large trees, more than 50 percent of these roots remain in the top ten centimeters of the soil - and are therefore ideally prepared for competition with the grass roots.
Lawn varieties and shade tolerance
Most grasses do best when grown in full, direct sunlight. However, some types of grass and certain varieties tolerate different levels of shade better than others. The midday sun is stronger than the gentle morning rays. The sun and shade conditions change throughout the day and the seasons as trees and shrubs leaf out in spring and shed their leaves in fall. Take the time to carefully assess your shade patterns so you know what the grass is struggling with. Then you can choose the grasses that are best suited to this challenge.
Your first decision when selecting seeds concerns warm-season and cool-season varieties. This depends primarily on where you live. Warm-season turf grasses thrive in more southern and western zones, while cool-season grasses thrive in more northern areas. Zoysia grass is one of the best grasses for shady locations, but Bermuda grass does not do well without full sun.
If you want to sow shade lawns, choose grass species that thrive in the cool season. They generally tolerate more shade than warm-season grasses, but there are differences here too. Among cool-season grasses, the small grass varieties are the most shade-tolerant, while the tall grass varieties also thrive in partial shade. Bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue are some of the most common cool-season grasses.
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Sowing Shade Lawns – Adjustments That Will Help
Low light and competition from shade trees create a stressful environment for grass plants. The following measures can improve growing conditions, reduce stress on grasses, and improve grass health, beauty, and vitality.
Shadow lawn in the sun– Let in more light: Even shade-tolerant lawn grasses develop better when they get more sun. Whenever possible, prune trees and shrubs to open their crowns. This increases sunlight and improves air circulation, which can benefit your trees and shrubs as well as grasses. When planting new plants, consider plants that are naturally open and less dense.
Restore soil balance:In the shade, the ground conditions quickly become unbalanced. A low oneSoil pHand poor drainage encourage the establishment of stubborn weeds and unwanted lawn moss. Soil testing and soil amendments can help rebalance pH and increase the availability of lawn nutrients. Scarifying or aerating compacted soil at the right time can help resolve drainage problems.
Increase the mowing height: When you mow higher than normal, the grass has more leaf surface area to absorb and process the available sun. Mowing higher also promotes deeper roots, which can improve the resilience and health of the lawn. Always follow best mowing practices and never remove more than a third of the grass blades in one mowing session, otherwise you will increase stress on the grass.
Also read:Healthy lawn in autumn: combating diseases and pests + care tips!
You should also pay attention to the following
Adjust fertilization and watering schedules:Shaded grass grows slower than grass in the sun. Although fertilizer can stimulate growth, stressed grasses cannot tolerate the same amounts as healthy, sun-kissed lawns. Likewise, slow-growing grass generally requires less water. However, competing tree roots can limit available water and nutrients. Watch your lawn closely and adapt your care to the specific needs of the shady areas.
Sow shade lawns – limit lawn traffic:Weak, stressed lawns are susceptible to damage from foot traffic, pets and children playing. Relocate play areas and limit foot traffic. If damage occurs, repair bare spots with a quality product specifically designed for shaded areas.
Alternative to racing in the shade – tip! If your shade is simply too dense to grow attractive grass, even with maintenance adjustments, you still have plenty of options to beautify your lawn. Low-growing, spreading plants called groundcovers come in a variety of colors and textures to fill low-sun areas with foliage and even flowers.
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