4 Tips for Growing Grass in Shaded Areas in Your Maryland Backyard

Maryland is known for its hot and humid summers when peak temperatures reach above 100 degrees.

And don’t get us started on the high humidity.

But you’re used to this in our transition zone climate.

Your lawn may think otherwise, however, especially if it doesn’t get any sun.

But you can still grow grass in the shade in Maryland. You just need to know how to take care of it and what to do to keep it happy.Shaded green lawn

How to Grow Grass in Shady Areas

Most turfgrasses are full-sun plants. This means they grow best with a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight.

Tall fescues make up most of the grasses in Maryland because they can handle the transition climate. They require a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight.

Even so, when turf is surrounded by thick trees, getting that required amount of sunlight can be a challenge.

Here are 4 ways you can grow grass in shade and avoid bare spots and troubled looking areas.

#1. Don’t Buy a Shady Grass Blend

Shade-tolerant grass blends you might find at a home improvement store are usually not intended for Maryland climates specifically.

Also, when you picture your grass, you picture a lush, thick, consistent, green lawn. You don’t picture splotches of different grasses mixed together. Adding a shady blend may seem like a good solution, but usually the grass shows up as a different texture than your tall fescue and it can be more difficult to manage.

#2. Thin Your Tree Canopy

You can encourage more sunlight in your shady grass area by trimming some tree branches, particularly the low-hanging branches.

What this does is let in some filtered sunlight to your grass, which is better than no sunlight at all. And this simple strategy alone can do quite a bit to make your shady grass areas happy.

Growing grass in shaded areas just takes enough sunlight to make it work, and annual tree pruning can do the trick.

#3. Aerate & Overseed

For areas with moderate shade and not deep shade, a thick and green lawn can be possible. It may just require a little extra care.

Aeration and overseeding can be essential to ensure your grass, which can become stressed without sunlight, doesn’t thin out.

Aeration breaks up the soil, allowing for better oxygen, nutrient, and water infiltration, as well as reducing compaction. And overseeding at this time increases seed to soil contact, boosting germination of the lawn seed and thickening your grass.

Aeration and overseeding annually -- and possibly biannually, in very shady spots -- can help you grow grass in the shade.Core aeration for a lush green lawn

#4. Plant a Grass Alternative

If you have trouble growing grass in shaded areas beneath trees, no matter how much you’ve tried trimming or other lawn care, maybe it’s time to try an alternative to grass.

Directly under trees, a mulch bed is a great option. This stops trees and turf from competing for water and nutrients and protects the roots under that tree canopy from getting hit by mower blades.
Grass alternative under treeGravel or rock beds or other hardscaping can also be a great option for areas where turf won’t grow.

If you would prefer something green that will thrive in shade, groundcovers like vinca and pachysandra can be nice low-growing alternatives to grass.

Grow Grass Anywhere With Natural Green

You want a great lawn. And you want your grass to thrive in the sunny spots, as well as the shady ones.

We understand that. A thick, green lawn is what we all long for on our properties.
Preparing grass seed for a green lawnAnd just because you have some great trees or your landscape is bordered by woods, doesn't mean your shady areas have to suffer from bare spots and weeds and patchy turf.

Frustrated that you’ve tried some strategies to fix your lawn in your less-than-sunny locations, but they aren’t working?

If you can’t quite figure out how to grow grass in shady areas, give Natural Green Systems a call. We know Maryland lawns, and with one look we can tell you what your lawn needs to thrive and provide you with some tips and tricks to get that picture perfect lawn you crave.

Let’s solve your shade challenges together! Natural Green Systems has all the grass-growing knowledge you need for your Central or Southern Maryland lawn. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives your lawn the facelift it needs.

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