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Steve[_23_] · 20-05-2008, 10:16 PM posted to alt.home.lawn.garden

wrote:
Steve said:

wrote:
On May 18, 11:07=A0am, "Chris" wrote:
Are there any quick tips for maintaining grass in an *almost* fully
shaded=
area? =A0Any special fertilizers, or anything like that? =A0I seed
the area= and it's O.K. (not great), for most of the season, but
almost bare by the t= ime next March/April rolls around (Northeast
part of the US). There must be = something I can do, short of cutting
down all the trees, right?

--
Chris =A0-http://entelis.blogspot.com
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

Use a good seed mixture labeled for dense shade. Seed it in the
Spring, when there will be no leaves so it can get established. Mow
it high. Keep leaves off it in the Fall by removing them
frequently. But, even doing all that, if it's in an area like the
north side of a house with trees, it may be impossible to maintain a
decent lawn. For those locations, a shade type ground cover or
similar may be the best solution.

To that good advice I will add, fine fescue is the most shade tolerant
cool season turfgrass. If that doesn't grow for you there then it's
time to look at ground covers, as Trader suggested.

My front lawn is *mostly* fine fescue. Man what a nice grass. =) Alas...
the 80 y/o Silver Maple in front will be coming down, soon. I expect a
muddy mess to follow, shortly after. *sigh* Not sure what I'll do.
There's still a Sycamore dappling light in mid-morning. But, fine fescue
is out, I'm sure. =/

Do you have a fireplace to make use of the maple? Man I hate to lose a
tree.

--
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