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"Shady Spots Pose Lawn Problems"

by Skip Richter, Travis County Extension Horticulturist

Lawns are the living carpet of landscapes.   They moderate soil temperatures, prevent erosion, prevent crusting, and reduce compaction by cushioning foot traffic.   Like other growing plants, turfgrass requires sunlight for survival and growth.   Most turf grasses need at least 60 percent of full sunlight for best results.   Less sun means a progressively thinner, weaker stand of grass.   In a landscape filled with trees, the light intensity the grass receives is decreased a little each year as the trees grow larger and denser.   So, don't be surprised if an area where grass once thrived begins to decline over the years.

Lawn grasses differ in their tolerance of shady conditions.   St. Augustine is the most shade tolerant of our southern lawn grasses.   If a spot is too shady for St. Augustine it is too shady for any warm-season lawn grass.   A close second is Zoysia.   Bermuda and Buffalo are the least shade tolerant of our turf species.

Once a lawn begins to thin out from lack of sunlight, other complications will likely arise.   Soil structure will be lost as raindrops and foot traffic pack the surface, reducing water infiltration, aeration and root growth.   Weeds often become a problem in these spots, further stressing the remaining grass.

If you have a shady spot there are several steps to take in order to improve your lawn:

1) Consider having some tree limbs in the upper canopy removed to allow more light through.   Remove some low hanging limbs as well to allow reflected light in from the sides. In many cases this will solve the problem without significant loss of shade.

2) Avoid compacting the soil.   Reroute the pitty patter of little feet at until the area fills in.   Severely compacted soils may benefit from mechanical aeration by a lawn care professional.

3) Speed re-establishment by spot planting plugs or sod strips in bare areas.

4) Set your mower higher for shady spots.   The leaf blades of the grass are its solar panels.   More leaf area enables them to catch more light to support new growth.   Plus, it makes thin areas look thicker.

5) Avoid the temptation to over-fertilize or over-water.   You can't make up for a lack of light with an excess of nutrient or water.   In fact, heavily shaded areas need only 1/2 to 2/3 as much water and fertilizer.   Over-fertilizing and over-watering can result in increased disease problems, not to mentioned pollution of surface and ground water.

These tips although helpful will not guarantee a lush lawn in heavy shade.   Let's face it, some spots are just too shady to grow grass!   Shady spots are ideal for raised beds with appropriate shrubs, perennials, annuals or groundcovers.   With a little planning and creative design, these areas can become a beautiful addition to the landscape.