How to Grow Grass in the Woods
Grass requires some necessary elements for optimum growth and color. Although hundreds of varieties of grass exist, all types require adequate amounts of water, light and nutrients. Many varieties of grass require full sunlight and often suffer and die in shady areas. A few types flourish in areas that receive modest amounts of sunlight. Growing healthy lawns in wooded areas requires careful grass selection. Growing grass in shady areas also involves proper site preparation and planting techniques.
Prune out some of the branches from overhead trees to allow additional sunlight. Take out low and overgrown branches with a saw or limb cutter. Dispose of the dead limbs. Remove a few of the less attractive trees from your wooded area, if possible. Pull out small shrubs and weeds growing in and around the planting site.
- Grass requires some necessary elements for optimum growth and color.
- A few types flourish in areas that receive modest amounts of sunlight.
Loosen the existing soil and the entire planting site with a tiller, avoiding areas of exposed tree roots. Rake around roots that are high enough to catch the tiller blades. Break up all the soil, tossing out all uprooted vegetation as you proceed.
Test the pH levels in the soil, which, for most grasses to thrive should be 6.5 to 7.0. Add recommended additives to correct the soil, if necessary, following the instructions on the soil test kit.
Level the entire planting site with a rake to create a smooth surface for planting.
Plant shade-tolerant grass seed such as hard fescue, chewing fescue and creeping red fescue, or bluegrass varieties Bensun, Nugget, Touchdown and Eclipse. Spread at the rate indicated on the package.
- Loosen the existing soil and the entire planting site with a tiller, avoiding areas of exposed tree roots.
- Add recommended additives to correct the soil, if necessary, following the instructions on the soil test kit.
Keep the soil surface slightly moist for the first few weeks. Check this by inserting a fingertip into the soil near the roots of the grass. Provide 2 to 3 inches of water every two to three days to maintain this moisture.
Rake fallen leaves in the fall to avoid smothering the grass. Avoid deep raking when removing fallen leaves because many types of shade-tolerant grass grow short root systems.
Tip
Keep lower limbs removed from trees to encourage healthy growth in lawns planted in wooded areas.
Soil test kits are available at garden centers or landscaping services
Warning
Compacted soil under trees causes difficulty for the tender roots of new grass.
Avoid over-watering grass in shady locations. Excess moisture encourages diseases and pests.
Related Articles
References
Tips
- Keep lower limbs removed from trees to encourage healthy growth in lawns planted in wooded areas.
- Soil test kits are available at garden centers or landscaping services
Warnings
- Compacted soil under trees causes difficulty for the tender roots of new grass.
- Avoid over-watering grass in shady locations. Excess moisture encourages diseases and pests.
Writer Bio
Laura Wallace Henderson, a professional freelance writer, began writing in 1989. Her articles appear online at Biz Mojo, Walden University and various other websites. She has served as the co-editor for "Kansas Women: Focus on Health." She continues to empower and encourage women everywhere by promoting health, career growth and business management skills.
