growing lawn which is partly shaded?

Question

Hi - I planted lawn 2 years ago (from a packet which states it can be grown in shady areas) which has grown BUT somewhat patchy and not thick. I also threw on another lot of seeds + soil in the patchy spots. The areas which were mor shaded did not grow well so I then grew some shoots in a smaller pot in filled in persistent patches. I'm annoyed because I have taken some time to always keep the water up etc. What should I do and what soil/fertilizer is best? (NB. My husband would not let me buy lawn patches because he thinks they die easily). This is Australia and we are in the season - 1st month of Autumn. Thanks

Answer 1

About any time besides summer is a good time to plant grass seed. Actually from what I've read winter is a great time to plant grass seed because the thaughing and freezing of the ground helps work the seeds into the soil. Sometimes what you can try doing is adding more light to the area by trimming back branches and if you have any fences painting them white to reflect light into the area, etc.

For planting new grass seed you'll need to loosen up the dirt then plant the seed then cover with a light coating of topsoil, then straw. Then keep the ground moist, not wet for the first couple weeks.

The best book I've found on grass is:

Green Grass Magic by Jerry Baker
ISBN: 978-0-922433-82-7

The best price I've found for the book was at: http://www.booksamillion.com

The tonics and stuff may sound a little crazy, but the guy knows his stuff. And the people that I've seen use his advice have awesome lawns. He's often on the public television channels in the US and is often referred to as America's Master Gardener.

Answer 2

particular backyard grasses carry out extra useful in shade than others. Of the cool-season backyard grasses, nice fescues are extra tolerant of shade than tall fescues. St. Augustine shows the final tolerance to shade of all the warmth-season backyard grasses. advised St. Augustine cultivars for the coastal and midland areas incorporate Raleigh, Palmetto, Delmar and Jade. Bitterblue and Seville are much less tolerant of chilly yet enhance properly in coastal areas. Zoysia is extra tolerant to easy or average shade than centipede, yet neither will stay to tell the tale heavy shade. Zoysia cultivars that have good tolerance to shade incorporate El Toro, Diamond, Belaire and Cavalier. Meyer and Emerald have honest tolerance. Bermuda shows particularly undesirable tolerance to any volume of shade.