Lawn Care

 Q: I am having problems growing my lawn in a shady location, what can I do help grow better grass?   Answer many times turf quality in shade is a issue of turf species selection/shade/disease/irrigation/fertility as well as site management.  Growing grass in shady sites requires one to accept the fact that a full sun plant is being asked to grow in a unnatural condition.  But you can have grass in shady locations if you follow these simple shady turf rules:

1. Use shade tolerate species of turf like turf type fescue.

2. Use irrigation correctly, shaded turf needs half as much water as full sun turf, but timing is everything, water only from 4am-10am, never in the afternoon or evening.  The #1 killer of turf grass in shade is turf disease.

3. Mow your lawn at no lower than 2.75" short, leave as much turf grass leaf surface in tact.  The more leaf surface the more leaf area to produce cover and make energy through photosythesis.

4.  Proper pruning of trees by lifting tree canopies, dead wooding, thinning branches as well as basic pruning practices will dramatically improve your turfs density and color.

5.  Reduce Nitrogen applications of fertilizers, typical lawns in full sun conditions should receive 4-5lbs of Nitrogen annually while shade lawns should receive no more than 2.

6. Keep leaf build up in the fall on off your lawn. This  will allow  more  light to your  lawn.

7 Accept the fact that growing grass in shade is a struggle, but with extra work you can be success full! 

Click here for tips by growing in your lawn in the shade.

Broad Leaf Weed Control Tip Sheet       click here

Thatch Control  click here

When is the best time to sow grass seed? 

Answer   The best time to seed in 1st in the fall, second is winter to take advantage of the freeze and thaw factors of the soil.  Third is spring and last is summer.