The Grass Doctor

School me on proper shady lawn care?

Here are some particulars: live in PA, have about a third of an acre with about a 10, 50-60 year old trees in my yard. There's a mix of grass, moss, weeds, and other organic matter (acorns, twigs, needles, etc) on the ground now. I'm trying to grow grass effectively. This is the third spring we've been here, and in the previous two years, I've put down random 2-3 pound bags of grass to try to get some of the repair started. It's pretty spotty and I did notice that this spring, some of the seed that I planted in the past 2 years had surprisingly began to emerge! But it's still pretty thin. I'm not interested in tearing up the whole lawn and starting from scratch. I'm interested in perhaps trying some of those new products like Scotts EZ Seed, but want to perhaps mix it with another seed to a) control costs, and b) have a grass that can grow fast, but live throughout the year and remain after the grounds thaw in the winter. Is this doable? If so, what are your tips to help my partial lawn grow into a nice, thick lawn? BQ, I just spread some weed 'n feed in my front lawn, how long should I wait to spread seed so that the new seed won't burn from the fertilizer? I appreciate the input. But I will also add that my neighbors have GREAT lawns. So my physical attributes don't matter TOO much. I'm just wondering how I can get over the hump! :)!

Public Comments

1. You may never be able to grow grass in the situation you have. Any grass you attempt to grow should be for shade variety. Your problems are as follows - You may not have enough light to grow grass effectively. Depending on the type of trees - eg conifers the roots of the trees may make it impossible for grass to grow due to dryness and competition. Some trees such as conifers make the soil around them very acid due to continual needle drop. You may have to give up the idea of growing lawn everywhere and grow lawn where there is enough light available and grow ground covers that are more suitable where there isn't. Violets are particularly good if you have lots of shade. Consider growing banks of shrubs under trees such as azaleas and rhododendrons. Groups of lower growing shrubs such as nandinas are also good. Large areas of hellebore's may also suit. Even ivy is good but you must not let it climb the trees, but makes a great ground cover. If areas are very dark use a white variegated ground cover such as V. liriope or variegated ivy this will lift the gloom. Check all selections with a local nursery to check for your climate needs, and if you pick something like violets (the seed themselves) or liriope which runs then roots it may be more economical than what you may think. Hope this helps.