What Lawn Seed for Shaded Areas
A relatively simple choice if you are repairing and over seeding a thinned lawn due to shade problems. Just use the one that best matches your criteria.
However, if this is for a new lawn and less than 20% of the area to be seeded has a problem with shade then we would suggest going with the seed choice that is suited to 80% of the lawn initially and sow on the whole lawn. Should suspect areas fail within 12 months, they can then be over seeded in the following year with an alternative seed.
Your choices are:
- If the lawn area is shaded from buildings, fences or solid objects you need Grass Seed for Heavy Shade
- If the lawn area is shaded from trees, bushes or tall plants you need Grass Seed for Under Trees - Dry Shade
- If the lawn area gets passing shade from tall distant objects or a mixture of shade then continue below.
Passing Shade
Often this would be any shade cast from a tall building or tall tree where the shaded area of grass is not close to the object causing the shade and the area gets good sun for part of the day.
Example of Passing Shade
An oak tree 35 metres away will not affect the grass much with its roots but shade may be on the lawn for a long time. Other than shade, the impact of the tree is minimal.
Passing Shade Lawn Seed
You can use 3 types of lawn seed mixture. You should decide which one based on secondary benefits:
- Dry Shade Staygreen is a slightly coarse grass but is very hard wearing
- Wet Shade Shadygreen is finer, ideal for places with good rain and blends well with Classic
- Classic is an attractive all-rounder, likes the sun but will manage some passing shade
Mixed Shade
A typical example would be a long narrow lawn more than likely bordered by fences, shrubs and possibly larger bushes and a tree or two. This is not an easy environment and quite possibly there will be added compaction in the lawn from roots and people walking in one track up and down the lawn.
There is no one grass seed that is ideal as there is a lot of shade possibly throughout the year which means a dedicated shade grass is required such as our Shadygreen Grass Seed. However, there would be lots of dry shade around the shrubs which can mean a different seed is required such as Staygreen. You should understand neither seed would be perfect so decide based on which creates the bigger problem; dryness and therefore browning and drying grass problems in the summer or shade and therefore thinning over winter. For the first use Staygreen and the latter use Shadygreen.
See the bottom of the page for grass seed mixtures.
For the compaction from traffic you need to hollow tine in Autumn and spike the area as often as possible the rest of the year. See our Aeration topic
Can I use Shade Grass Seed in Full Sun?
Yes you can. They are all happy in the sun but:
- Shadygreen, due to its great shade tolerance, doesn’t like drying out so only use if you can water the lawn in hot dry weather.
- Staygreen will love it and tolerates a good amount of shade
- Classic will thin if the shade is too prolonged
Assessing the Need for Shade Grasses
It is important to consider the whole years light and shade on the lawn as it progresses from spring through to winter. There is no point in buying a shade seed just because last winter the grass thinned in a shaded spot. If it does it every year then yes, a shade seed would be the best bet but a one off bad winter shouldn't sway you from staying with what is best for the lawn most years.
The Limits of Shade Grasses
There comes a point when even the best shade seed gives up the ghost. If you go down to the woods today and there won't be any grass! So, if your spot is so shady even shade grass disappears over winter, then either put something else down or be prepared to over seed every spring and consider it a very normal seasonal gardening job that for a few quid, makes a dull spot a very green spot.
When to Seed Shady Areas
Sow in spring or autumn for shade from buildings and fences. These areas take longer to warm in spring and cool earlier in autumn so adjust your seeding to take advantage of the warmer weather.
For shade from trees, seed a little earlier than normal in spring to get ahead of the leaves coming on the trees. Avoid autumn because of leaf fall.
See the mixtures here:
Lawn Seed with Tolerance to Shade
More Grass Seeding Techniques and Problems
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Planting and growing a lawn from grass seed requires warmth, moisture and air to ensure success. Learn what's needed for a great lawn in quick order.
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![Seed vs Turf]()
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![How to Water Grass Seed]()
Watering grass seed is quite different from the way you would water a lawn. The golden rule is never let the seed dry out so frequent light watering is needed.
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Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
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![Why Grass Seed doesn’t Grow!]()
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![The No 1 Best Way to Protect Grass Seed]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCovering your precious newly planted grass seed with polythene sheeting is not only an effective protection from birds but also drying winds and torrential downpours. Very cheap, easy to lay and speeds germination.
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![How Long Will Grass Seed Keep For?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsIn general grass seed will keep for up to 5 years if fresh to begin with. The biggest influence on germination is how well it is stored not the age.
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![Is my Grass Seed Dead?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsA simple test for viability. This test can be performed on grass seed that has been sown or is yet to be sown. Ideal for checking if old seed will germinate.
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![I've got Weeds in my Lawn after Seeding]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWeeds in newly seeded soil is normal. Digging, scarifying or new soil wakes dormant seeds. Most will disappear with the first cut but some require weed killer.
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![When can I Start Mowing my New Grass?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsCare must be taken when cutting a new lawn for the first time as the grass is tender and the roots are shallow. Sharp mower blades and dry grass are essential.
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![When can I Walk on my New Lawn?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThe best way to decide is not by time but by the condition of the grass. Grass seed or turf laid in perfect conditions in April in Cornwall will establish twice as quickly as that sown in Aberdeen.
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![Winter Lawn Damage]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsDuring winter several things can go wrong with your lawn from grass thinning a little, complete loss of grass in some areas to an invasion of moss and strange coloured patches in the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Dry Areas]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsSandy or poor soils and the drier east of the country are presented with a challenge when it comes to lawn care. Choosing drought tolerant grasses will help.
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![Grass Seed for Clay Soil]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsWhen dealing with clay soil, it's important to choose grass seed varieties that are well-suited to these conditions. Here are a few grass seed options that tend to perform well in clay soils.
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![Grass Seed for Under Trees - Dry Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsThis is a dry place where trees or other plants out compete the grass for ground water and may also prevent showers reaching the lawn.
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![Grass Seed for Heavy Shade or Wet Shade]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsAreas of lawn where little light gets to the grass for long periods usually from autumn through to spring.
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![Slow Growing Grass for Lawns]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsFor slow-growing grass varieties suitable for UK lawns you can consider the following options though there are considerable downsides!
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![Should I let my Lawn go to Seed?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLetting your lawn go to seed is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and goals for your grass. Nature vs nurture!
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![Can I mix Grass Seeds Together?]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsLawn seed will already be a mixture of a variety of grass species. Mixing two together before sowing just halves the benefits and doesn't increase them.
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![Over Seeding a Lawn]()
Grass Seeding Techniques and ProblemsOver seeding with grass seeds that are different to your existing grass will change the composition of the lawn. Expect a 10 to 20% change each over seeding.
