Growing Grass in Deep Shade: Realistic Expectations

Question: My shady front yard has failing fescue and moss. Options to kill moss and find shade-tolerant grass under giant oaks? Is Bella bluegrass or Palmetto St. Augustine realistic for Memphis?

Hard Truth

No true shade turf grass exists. Fescue grows Oct-May when leaves are gone. You'll need to aerate every couple years and reseed annually. Bluegrass is less heat/drought tolerant. Warm-season grasses (St. Augustine, Zoysia) tolerate moderate shade but fade in deep shade.

If You Must Have Grass

• Keep pH near 6.5
• Fertilize only spring and fall
• Mow infrequently but don't let grass lay over
• Water heavily 2+ inches/week all summer

Moss indicates compaction and poor soil air movement. Consider letting the area become a woodland garden or switching to groundcover like Vinca minor.