Yard guides / Problems and fixes
Growing grass in the shade
Pick the right grass, mow higher, and know when to give up gracefully.
Most lawn grasses need at least four hours of direct sun. In dense shade, grass thins every year no matter what you do. Shade-tolerant grasses and a few habits help in partial shade.
Help grass in partial shade
- Choose shade-tolerant grasses: fine fescues and tall fescue in cool regions; St. Augustine and some zoysias in warm regions
- Mow half an inch to an inch higher than in sun
- Feed less; shade grass grows slower
- Water less often; tree roots compete but shade dries slower
- Limb up lower tree branches to let in more light (hire an arborist for big trees)
- Rake leaves promptly in fall
When to stop fighting
Under dense trees, mulched beds or shade-loving groundcovers often look better and need less work than struggling grass.
General lawn care information. Grass, soil and climate vary; your cooperative extension office can give local advice. Reliable Service Crew isn't paid by any brand or lawn company.