They are in every garden, problem areas with little light and sparse growth. This doesn't have to be the case on lawns, thanks to shade lawn seeds that require little light. We'll tell you here how to create a dense, velvety green lawn under dim lighting conditions.
How can you sow shade lawns correctly?
In order to sow shade lawns correctly, you should prepare the soil thoroughly, spread the seeds evenly, work them lightly into the soil and ensure good soil connection. Then water the lawn thoroughly and keep it sufficiently moist during the germination period.
Minimum location requirements – less is not possible
The title shade lawn is a little misleading, because even shade lawn seeds do not germinate in full shade. When you create such a lawn, there should be a minimum amount of light for photosynthesis as an essential prerequisite for growth. This is what the location for shade lawns should be like:
- Partially shaded lighting conditions, e.g. B. under deciduous trees, along walls, bushes or fences
- Nutritious, humus-rich soil
- Preferably fresh, moist, without the risk of waterlogging
- Ideally with a pH value of 6-7
If you create a shade lawn under coniferous trees, you won't be able to enjoy it for long. As shallow-rooted trees, cedars, firs and pines deprive any lawn of its livelihood. To be on the safe side with regard to the nutrient content and pH value, we recommend a professional soil analysis in advance.
Tip
Where a lawn is in permanent shade, Mother Nature offers a we alth of decorative alternatives in the form of small ground cover plants. Suitable candidates include Caucasus forget-me-nots, evergreens, fairy flowers, memorial meadows, carpet dogwoods or cranesbills, all of which develop their natural beauty in shady locations.
Which lawn seeds accept shade without complaint – an overview
Shade lawn seeds of the best quality always consist of a sophisticated mix of specially suitable noble grasses. The following grass varieties are able to tolerate shade well-naturedly as lawn seeds:
- Lager panicle (Poa supina)
- Grassroot panicle (Poa nemoralis)
- Deceptive red fescue (Festuca rubra)
- Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
- Red bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris)
- Common bluegrass (Poa trivialis)
The flower panicle is considered the secret queen of the noble grasses. No grass needs less light intensity and knows how to tolerate shade than lawn seeds. Since the noble plant is extremely demanding to grow, the corresponding products turn out to be comparatively expensive. The investment is still worth it, as Lägerrispe is unsurpassed in terms of durability and assertiveness. Already a proportion of 5-10 percent in the seed ensures the best shade tolerance.
Shadow lawn compared to other types of lawn
Before you create a new lawn, you should check the criteria for the best possible type of lawn in the chosen location. We also recommend an assessment regarding maintenance requirements and durability. For example, the low demands on lighting conditions do not imply that shade lawn is particularly hard-wearing.
| Criteria of lawn types in comparison | Shaded lawn | ornamental lawn | Football turf | lean grassland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light conditions | partly shaded | sunny to partially shaded | sunny | full sunny |
| Optimal intensity at lunchtime | 3,000-4,800 Lux | 6,000-8,000 Lux | 8,000 Lux | 10,000 Lux |
| Minimum light intensity | 2,000 Lux | 3,000-4,800 Lux | 4,800-6,000 Lux | 6,000 Lux |
| Soil texture | nutrient-rich, fresh-moist | nutrient-rich, fresh-moist | humic, sandy-loamy | lean, sandy, dry |
| Cutting height normal weather | 70-80 mm | 35-45mm | 30-40 mm | 80-150 mm |
| Nutrient requirements | high | high | moderate | minimal |
| Durability | low | low | high | normal |
The actual light intensity at the location can be determined using a simple light measuring device (€32.00 on Amazon), as photographers or aquarium owners use it. Based on the results, you can make an informed decision about the ideal type of grass for your garden.
Good soil preparation is half the battle – here’s how it works
In order to green up dim areas with shade grass seeds, there are a few things to consider before sowing. Once the soil temperature has settled at a level of 8-10 degrees Celsius in spring, the window of opportunity for sowing shade grass seeds opens. In order for lawn seeds to tolerate shade at all, the soil should be as close to ideal conditions as possible. This is how it works:
- Clean the area of all debris, such as stones, roots, building debris and weeds
- Dig the soil to a depth of 50 centimeters with a spade or till it with a tiller
- Enrich the soil with mature compost and horn shavings
- Create the rough subgrade with a rake and roll the surface
- Finally, smooth the soil with the rake, for an even, fine-crumbly fine subgrade
Although a high nutrient content is desirable as a site quality, the soil should not be prone to compaction. If the crumb turns out to be too clayey, optimize the consistency with a load of fine-grained sand. Sprinkling with a fine jet of water rounds off professional soil preparation for sowing shade grass seeds.
Tip
So that lawn seeds develop suitability for shade, they should soak up as much sun as possible, at least during the germination period. Experienced hobby gardeners therefore choose a time of year for sowing when there are no leaves on the trees.
How to sow shade lawn seeds correctly
Following the preparation work, the soil should be left to settle for at least 14 days. Sowing can take place on a day with dry, mild weather. How to handle it with expertise:
- Loosen the top layer of soil with a rake and weed it
- Spread the seeds with a hand spreader or spreader
- Sprinkle the shade grass seeds lengthwise and crosswise
- Use the rake to lightly work the light germs into the soil
- Ensure good soil sealing in the seedbed with the lawn roller
- In the last step of sowing, water the area
After numerous field tests, the experts are moving away from simultaneous sowing and fertilization. In order for lawn seeds to thrive in a shade-tolerant manner, they must be rooted as deeply as possible. If there is a rich nutrient buffet right in front of the seed shell, the seedlings see no reason to develop deep roots.
Proper care during the germination period
If you are creating shade-tolerant green spaces with lawn seeds, an adequate water supply is of utmost importance. In order for the seeds to swell and get ready to germinate, a sufficient amount of moisture is required. Therefore, water the seedbed repeatedly if the natural rainfall is not sufficient.
During this phase, cordon off the area in a clearly visible manner, because any contamination of shade grass seeds in this and the subsequent stages of germination has fatal consequences and endangers the entire success. If the disease progresses normally, after 2 to 3 weeks the area will be covered by a delicate, green border of cotyledons. The precise duration of the germination period depends on the type of grass and the weather conditions.
Tips for caring for shade lawns
If the self-sown shade grass seeds gradually turn into a dense, green carpet, there is great joy. To ensure that it stays that way, we have put together the most important care measures for a shaded green area below:
- Mow the shade lawn for the first time when the blade is 10 centimeters high
- Consider an ideal cutting height of 70 to 80 millimeters
- Never mow the lawn when it is wet
- Water thoroughly 1-2 times a week during summer droughts
- Fertilize organically or mineral-organically 3-4 times per season
- Measure the pH value in spring and lime if necessary
In shady locations, moss and weeds develop in the lawn just as much as in sunny locations. In spring and/or autumn, the green area is scarified and, if necessary, ventilated and sanded. On this occasion, bare spots should be immediately closed with reseeding.
Tip
If you are creating a shade lawn to replace a poor ornamental lawn, the old sod must be completely removed. This works very simply by peeling off the old lawn. The nearest machine rental company has suitable equipment available. These cut the turf into strips that are simply rolled up and disposed of.
