Growing Turfgrass in the Shade

Many landscapes have shaded areas that can drastically affect turfgrass growth depending on the duration and intensity of shade. The amount of shade present in a landscape varies over time as trees mature and seasons change. Portions of a lawn may have full sun, be heavily shaded throughout the day, or receive partial shade and sunlight. Many partially shaded landscapes provide enough sunlight to support healthy turfgrass; however, constant or heavy shade makes it difficult to maintain adequate turf quality. The amount of sunlight needed by lawn grasses varies by species and, in some cases, by cultivar within species. In areas that receive moderate amounts of shade, certain species and cultivars of grass persist, while other, less shade-tolerant species and cultivars rapidly decline. In these areas, choosing the right turfgrass species and cultivar is important. It is also important to follow specific management practices that can encourage better turfgrass performance in shade.