What's the best way to start growing grass in a shaded area?

MML Staff_Erin H EXPERT April 02, 2008

The problem -- as you've discovered -- is that grass needs sunlight to grow. Even those that tolerate some shade, such as the fescues, won't survive in deep shade.

So the first step is to try seeding it with a shade-tolerant grass seed mix that is mostly fescue. If you've tried that, your options are to prune the tree's canopy to let more light through or to grow shade-loving plants under the tree.

You live is USDA hardiness zone 5b, so if you opt for the shade garden, hostas are an obvious choice, as are many shade-loving ground covers (you can find an article about them on Manage My Home under Lawn & Garden > Groundcovers).

If you want a groundcover that looks like grass, I suggest a sedge. They look like a long grass, although they don't tolerate foot traffic like a lawn does. Most sedges tolerate shade, but I am especially fond of blue sedge (Carex glauca) and the very similar black sedge (Carex nigra). They spread over time, so you can space them 12 -18 inches apart.

Here's a tip: if the cost of covering the whole area with plants is daunting, divide it up with pathways. They break up the area in a visually appealing way AND decrease the amount of area to plant. You don't have to invest in stepping stones -- just cover the paths with mulch.

One final note: some trees release chemicals from their roots that inhibit the growth of plants nearby -- which is a clever adaptation that prevents competition for water and soil nutrients. Black walnuts are notorious for this trait, which is called allelopathy, but others do it as well. So shade might not be the only culprit.