How To Grow Grass Under Trees
Shade-stressed grass plants are less tolerant of heavy wear from foot traffic, therefore traffic management may be required. Reduce humidity by raising the canopy with lower branches. A runway of mulch along the fence could be the best option for large active canines, allowing them an area to run without harming the grass. Uncle's Premium Shade grass seed is the optimum blend of superior grass seed species with lower water and fertilizer requirements. A huge shade tree can require hundreds of gallons of water a day, leaving very little moisture for turf grass.
Bare soil erodes quickly with no grass roots to hold dirt in place. Too much soil pack might produce severe problems for the tree, so be careful. If all else fails, start a shade garden. At the Grass Pad we have a full nursery, so come on down and we can get you started with a shade garden. Mowing grass under a tree can risk the grass's life since it makes it more difficult for the grass to retain water.
Leaves that fall from the tree also make it tougher for grass to grow if not promptly removed. All varieties of grass are essentially "full sun" cultivars in the Kansas City area. Fine fescue may withstand more shade than other varieties, although it still does better in full sun. High Prairie Landscape Group will help you grow grass under a tree or a shade garden. Grass doesn't grow well under trees due to the intense shade and competition for nutrients and water.
Planting shade-tolerant grass while increasing the amount of water and sunlight should be enough to grow green grass under trees. Growing grass in shade can be a very tough endeavor, so here's a list of recommendations to help you. Fescue grass is a category of cool season cultivars that grow in shaded regions. St. Augustine grass is considered the most shade-tolerant of the grasses we use for lawns. Raising and thinning the canopy on huge trees is best done by a professional arborist who can decide which branches should be removed without hurting the tree adversely.
If you can't get grass to grow under a tree, consider mulching the area. Grass growing in the shade actually requires less fertilizer since it grows less vigorously. For inspiration, take a drive around older neighborhoods with mature trees and notice how beautifully places under giant trees may be manicured. When the lawn grass determines that an area has grown too shaded for it to grow, don't resist it. Instead, mulch or choose a ground cover that will grow in the shade.
In the summer, I like gardening in the shade. Do not pile several inches of soil up at the base of the trunk of the tree because this can lead to rot. As your tree grows, it provides additional shade, causing the grass beneath it to die over time. The grasses underneath trees are also in competition for nutrients and water with the larger, more developed tree roots. Aeration helps nutrients and air reach the grass root system.
Increasing the amount of sunlight your grass receives will drastically help the lawn grow. Grass might be tricky to grow beneath trees, but it doesn't have to be if you utilize some of these ideas. Watering grass under tree-covered areas more often and leaving the blades a little bit longer will help shade the soil underneath. Overseeding each season will also assist to establish a denser patch of grass beneath the tree. Pruning will allow more sunlight to reach your grass while also improving the aesthetic appeal of your trees.
