Question
I live in central Alabama and would like to sod my back yard.  What would be the best grass to use in a somewhat shady area?  I have been trying to get fescue growing with little success.  I have two small dogs who have access to the backyard.  What would your recommendations be?

Answer
Hi P Taylor,

You will probably NOT find a SHADE-TOLERANT variety of grass in the form of SOD. Several shade-tolerant grasses are available you can try that grow from seed.  These are discussed below here.

About Shade Area Coverage Landscapes:

 Most grass-type plants we use for residential lawns have had their origins over millions of years in the bright sunny plains, prairies and savannahs of the world; we really cannot expect them to do well in the shade.

 Almost all lawn grasses will need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or more to do well.  Any amount less than this can be considered "Deep-Shade," and trying to grow grass in deep shade can be very futile.  Grass Technologists and breeders-hybridizers have worked to develop some more or less "shade-tolerant" hybrids which you might want to try;... however, it is most often just hopeless to fight the shade while also keeping the trees. Below is a list of some certified hybrids to shop for.  And there may be new ones you can find, but only consider university 'shade-tolerance tested' named cultivars.

Cultivars of TALL FESCUE are probably about the best grass-types you can find for shade/dog tolerance in your area.  Look for such names as 'Rembrandt' or 'Plantation' Tall Fescue at your local lawn-garden or seed-stores.

Tall Fescues, and similar grasses will weaken in the Alabama heat (temperatures above 85'), you may have to RE-SEED every fall to keep the areas dense due to heat-stress effects.

Also,... Depending upon the types of trees you have, you can sometimes prune or thin-out their canopies and trim way their lower branches so that they are more lofty.  This might permit more sunlight to penetrate to the ground...still this is, at best, just a temporary fix.

ALTERNATIVES:

If you can predict that your "light-medium" shady lawn area is only destined to becoming evermore shady because of surrounding trees,... start to plan on establishing some sort of alternative plantings.  This you can do little by little over the years to get ahead of the predicted advancing and deepening "deep-shade".

 Instead of trying to get grasses to grow in such very shady conditions, you can consider any number of other "Shady Garden" alternatives.  There are hundreds of deep-shade loving plants and ground covers and specialty nurseries and mail-order suppliers for these.  There are also many books on the subject of Shade Plant Gardening. Check your yellow pages for local plant suppliers. Web shop for "shade garden plants" specialty nurseries-growers and request catalogues with pictures to make shopping is easy.

 For resources and  Examples for ideas:
 Use web search keywords at GOOGLE.com : "SHADE PLANTS, HOSTAS, Shade Gardens"...etc.

Ground Cover plants:
http://www.groundcoversusa.com/
http://hometown.aol.com/millhoff/

SHADE and ACIDIC-SOIL PLANTS:
http://www.plantconnection.com/garden_info/shade.htm

 Try logging onto any of your State's Agricultural University HORTICULTURAL web pages (keywords: "My State Horticulture").  There you will find free info about new grass hybrids (as well as other plants) genetically produced to perform well in your area...perhaps there is a cultivar to plant that is low growing and shade tolerant you would enjoy much more than typical grasses.  These Local Horticultural Websites often have many good ideas for your particular climate and soils.
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With a good fertile-loamy well draining top-soil, best quality hybrid grass type(s), 1-3 inches of water per week, plenty of sun-light, ...almost anyone can have an excellent lawn with a minimum maintenance effort.
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I Hope this has answered your question(s)!
Have the best Summer ever!

Visit my Lawn & Gardens webpage for more Tips, Facts and Links:
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/lawnol.html

Your Questions and Comments are welcome at ALLEXPERTS.com
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