A Good Grass Seed for Shade

Type of Grass

• In cool-season regions, choose a seed that contains a mixture of several shade-tolerant species of grass. If you are planting in a dry, shady area, choose a seed mixture that contains more than 50 percent fine fescues, such as Creeping Red, Hard or Chewing, all of which are excellent for shady areas. If the shady area you are seeding is moist, look for a seed mixture that contains rough or supine bluegrass and less than 40 percent fine fescues. No matter the moisture level of the area you're seeding, make sure not to buy a seed mixture with more than 40 percent Kentucky bluegrass; it does not fare well in shady areas. If you are located in a warm-season region, you will have the best luck with St. Augustine and zoysiagrass.

Preparing the Soil

• The best time to plant grass seed is in April or September; the heat of summer is too harsh for new grass to survive. Before you plant, it is important to prepare the soil. Remove rocks and debris. Turn up the soil using a shovel or garden fork and add lime and fertilizer if your soil calls for it. To find out the condition of your soil, conduct a soil test. You can choose to have the test completed by a university or commercial company, or you can purchase an at-home test kit.

Planting

• Ensure even coverage by using a seed spreader to plant the seed. Use a garden rake to lightly mix the seed into the soil, and then use a garden roller to tamp the area. Make sure the new grass seed has good contact with the soil. Cover the planting area with a light layer of straw or a piece of burlap to prevent birds from eating the seed. Water with a fine mist several times daily until the seedlings take hold and are strong enough to withstand regular watering.

Care

• Grass in shady areas requires half as much nitrogen as grass growing in sunny areas. Do not over-fertilize; it will weaken the turf's root system. Do not cut grass shorter than three inches. Grass that is too short has less leaf available for photosynthesis. Avoid unnecessary traffic in shady areas. It is more difficult and takes longer for damaged shade turf to repair itself. Established sod needs one inch of water per week.