LAWN SEED FOR SHADE – LS4

Establishing lawn seed for shade, indeed a lawn in any area which receives limited or no direct sunlight can be a problem.
Many shade specific lawn seed products contain a high proportion of broadleaf perennial ryegrass and/or strong creeping red fescue which can quickly yellow in such conditions making them unsightly or unsuitable for such locations. It is well documented however that high quality amenity (dwarf) ryegrass and finer leaved fescues naturally require less light for good growth and maintain better colour in partial and permanent shade than other, more economical species.
Often the limiting factors to successfully establishing a quality turf (from seed) in shaded areas is low soil temperature in the spring and adequate supply of soil moisture (particularly near larger trees) in prolonged periods of dry weather.
Early season sowing should be avoided on areas which do not receive direct sunlight. Wait for ambient temperatures to rise (mid to late spring) warming the seedbed before sowing. Late summer or early autumn sowings are far less affected by cold soil or seedbed.
If rainfall is infrequent thereafter, water well before nearby shrubs or trees draw much of the available surface moisture at least until the lawn seed for shade mix is well established.
Soil nutrients may also be naturally lower near trees so light applications of a good quality compound fertiliser prior to sowing and again through the year will help get your shaded lawn seed off to a good start and keep it in good heart.
Lawns shaded by buildings and/or fences are far less effected but germination may still be significantly slower without direct sunlight warming the soil
This product may struggle directly under a low tree canopy.

Do not be tempted to cut shaded lawns too short as a longer leaf helps with photosynthesis and reduces the stress of recovery.
Fallen tree leaves must be regularly removed from the lawn in autumn and/or spring as necessary.

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DATA SHEET

SOWING INSTRUCTIONS