Q: I have a heavily shaded yard, can you recommend a turf grass that will grow in shade?
A: How much shade is the real issue. There is no turf grass that can withstand total shade. Those grasses we do have can handle varied amounts of shade and still survive. Bermuda needs six to eight hours of unfiltered sunlight, at least, on good loamy soil. Heavy clays might even require more hours of light for good health.
Fescue needs two to four hours of unfiltered sunlight and would rather have more if you can supply enough moisture. Remember that Bermuda is a summer grass that’s normally planted in the spring, fertilized through the summer and requires about one inch of moisture per week during hot weather.
Fescue is a cool season plant. It’s normally planted in the fall, fertilized throughout the fall, winter and spring and, to get through our summer, requires two and one half to three inches of moisture weekly.
If you cannot get at least this amount of sunlight on these plants, here are your options. Trim your tree’s lower limbs so sunlight can get in. Remove some of the trees or plant ornamental shrubs and vines that can handle the deep shade.
For more information contact the OSU Extension Center, 14001 Acme Road, corner of MacArthur and Acme Road, in Shawnee, or 273-7683.
