If you want to have a beautiful lawn, you may need help with a prevalent problem: low-light conditions. Some people have a lawn covered in shade or a lawn in partial shade and sunlight. No matter what kind of lawn you have, this can make growing a lush lawn a little more complicated. But the good news is that it is not impossible to still have a beautiful lawn as long as you know how to care for it.

Keep reading to find out what tips you can use to counteract this common lawn problem.

Keep the Lawn Bare

If your lawn is in a shady area, you should be more careful when it comes to caring for it. One tip to follow is to keep the lawn bare so the grass isn't shaded more than it should be. For instance, if you have a tree over that area, make sure you are raking leaves so that they are only sitting on the grass for a short period of time. It is also a good idea to keep that area of your lawn bare of any lawn furniture or equipment.

Avoid Overwatering

A lawn with substantial amounts of shade won’t require as much watering as a sunny lawn would. Because of this, you should water shady areas only as necessary since the water will not dry out or be absorbed as quickly.

If you overwater these areas, you increase the risk of fungal growth, which will ultimately damage the lawn. This is more likely to happen if the lawn stays damp overnight or if the water isn’t draining properly.

Trim Back Trees

If you have large trees overlooking your lawn, they are most likely the source of the low-light conditions. When this is the case, you must upkeep these trees and make sure you are trimming them back yearly. How often you do this depends on the tree type since you want to be careful not to harm the tree. A professional lawn care expert can help you do this and advise you on the best times for aeration.

Aerate the Soil

If you are working with low-light conditions, one of the best options you have is soil aeration. Soil aeration creates holes in the soil, allowing water, air, and fertilizer to reach the grassroots better. This can help grass and shady areas grow and flourish even without the desirable amount of sunlight. Keep in mind that the time you aerate the soil will depend on the type of grass you have planted. You should also aerate the ground again when the thatch layer is around 1 1/2 inches thick.

Use the Right Grass Seed

If you are sowing grass seed in a shady area, you need to be very intentional about the type of grass you choose. The best option is a seed blend with different types of shade-tolerant grasses. A combination ensures a flourishing lawn even if certain grass seeds don't flourish in that environment. 

Minimize Stress

Grass growing in low-light conditions is more susceptible to being damaged and dying. Without an abundance of sunlight, it isn't going to be able to recover as quickly, especially when it comes to stressors. That is why limiting the activity on shady grass areas is advised. Examples include letting children and pets play in that area or driving over it. If you must walk over a shady grass area, consider adding a pathway to avoid trampling the grass.

Be Careful When Mowing

Shady areas of grass are more susceptible to things like compacted soil and ruts. Because of this, it is a good idea to vary your mowing patterns to reduce the risk of this happening. You also need to ensure you are not cutting the grass too short since it should be around 3 inches tall. 

Because grass in shady areas can be so delicate, hiring a lawn care professional to do the mowing for you is a good idea. They have the right equipment and knowledge to avoid mowing mistakes.

Low-Light Conditions: Building Shade vs. Tree Shade

If you have low-light conditions when it comes to your lawn, this is usually coming from one of two things. You may have to build shade from a house or other outdoor structure or shade from trees. Building shade creates a solid block of shade, but you have to remember that this shade will move throughout the year depending on the angle of the building.

As for tree shade, this shade will change quite a lot throughout the year as the tree grows, drops its leaves, and is cut back. It is also important to remember that not all trees create the same shade; some filter sunlight just enough to give your grass plenty of light. 

Conclusion

Having a lawn in low-light conditions doesn't have to mean that your lawn can't look healthy and vibrant. You can still create a lush law by minimizing stress on the grass and aerating the soil. You also need to ensure you choose the right grass seed, overseed the lawn, and keep the grass at a longer height.

If you have a lawn in low-light conditions, you may struggle to keep it lush and green. If so, you can contact us at Cory's Lawn Service for a free quote on our aerating, fertilizing, and mowing services.