is there some way to make grass grow in a shady yard? The yard is very shady.?

Question

There are no pets. It's just that the yard is very shady. My house blocks the sun from the yard since it’s positioned just to the south. What little sun is above the yard for a short time, is blocked by a large tree. The yard is kind of a strip about 15 feet wide between the house and the tree.

When we moved in we had the yard tilled and seeded. Sprinklers were already installed and working. The seed never worked so we put in sod and followed the gardener’s directions on watering, but it died after 6 months. We have followed up with more seed and fertilizer, but it's now mostly brown again.

Do I have any options other than artificial grass?

For what it's worth, here is a picture:
http://www.csun.edu/~hfkin002/z/deadgrass.jpg

I should have mentioned that I live in Los Angeles Area of Southern California.

Answer 1

Don't keep trying real grass. It is not gonna work. If you don't have the money for the complicated landscape schemes others have mentioned, try a simple groundcover. I would suggest Mondo Grass (not a real grass) or Asiatic Jasmine. The benefit of Mondo is that it looks like forest-green grass but should not be mowed. The problem is it spreads and fills in very slowly, and seed is not an option. Buy 4" pots and plant 10 to 18 inches apart. The closer spacing will fill into a "lawn" quicker of course. The benefit of Asiatic Jasmine, on the other hand, is that it sends out runners, and fills in quite quickly. Buy it in 4" pots and plant them 18" apart. It is pretty good about not climbing "up" onto things, but it will take aim at, and take over, beds where you don't want it, just as fast as your lawn area where you do want it. It can be mowed for a tight manicured look, say, once a month; or not, for a more naturalistic look. One other option: sedges. Look up what sedges grow under trees in LA. Some can be planted from seed. They are grass-like, and many like shade. They are also tough and easy to grow.

Answer 2

Sounds like you got ripped off to me if the grass or sod was not fescue which will grow well in shade. Other turf grasses will eventually die out becuase they need sun. Creeping red fescue works quite well in dense shade, I have about an acre of forested area in my back yard with lush fescue growing there. Takes a lot of water.

Answer 3

There are shade loving grasses but we have used them and they just never seem to get as thick and healthy looking as grass that is in the sun. I would call for free estimates
on landscaping. Also go to local nursery and get some advice from them. You can call your local extension agent (usually at the courthouse) and talk to them about it. So far all of this is free. Does look shady but not hopeless. Keep searching. m

Answer 4

Depending on where you live, there are some grasses that are designed for shadier areas (and it's more expensive). It still needs some sun, trimming the trees is a great idea. Check with a nursery in your area to see what kinds of grasses will work in shadier areas.

Answer 5

Grass needs plenty of sun to do well. You could try to increase the sun by trimming off some of the lower tree limbs if you are determined to have grass. It would probably be easier to plant shade loving plants and make the yard more of a garden.
Try hostas, ferns, wood poppys

Answer 6

We're in Dallas and have seven big oak trees in our back yard, and our St. Augustine grass is growing very well despite the shade that they throw. You may want to try some of that. The downside is, it needs to come from sod, not seed.

Check with your local landscape supply shop (that specializes in landscapes, not the "Garden Center' at WalMart) for suggestions, as well.

Answer 7

get the shade grass seed, but you need to prune some of your trees so SOME light can reach the grass.
I have two apple trees, and grass wouldnt grow under them, until i pruned up the trees on the inside a bit.;

Answer 8

Not sure where you live, but there are shade mixtures available at you local outlets. Creeping Red Fescue will be the dominate part of the mixture. Don't over fertilize, it will burn your seeding. Good luck, Rick.

Answer 9

Take out the grass.
Put in a Koi pond and surround it with shade loving plants.
you may want to put in a small patio with an arbor for seating so you can watch the koi.

Answer 10

BUY SOME TRIPLEX SHADY SEE ITS EXSPENSIVE BUT WORKS THE BEST.