Is there a good shade grass besides St. Augustine?

[El_Guapo]

Preferably something I can plant from seed? I really don't want to do the sod thing. Fescue, maybe?

 

[arroyo]

Fescue is the best shade tolerant grass in Texas next to St Augustine.

 

[IamTheLizardKing]

Zoysia

 

[tropheus]

which do you think is better fescue or st. augustine?

better -- shade tolerance, drought tolerance, upkeep...

 

[tropheus]

I have 80% shade in back yard -- all areas 80% of the day -- maybe 90%.

High traffic (dogs) and bermuda on the sides and front, I think I'll get a shade tolerant fescue... I'd like some appearance of continuity.

thoughts??

 

[ArrogantAssclown]

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[Mrmyke709]

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[ldogg53]

where does one get these different varieties of St. Augustine??
I've got a small backyard at my townhouse that doesn't get a whole lot of sunshine... and I've got 2 little dogs that piss and poop back there further making it difficult to grow and keep nice...

 

[ArrogantAssclown]

mrmyke
First I have heard of that

A professional tree trimming/prunning service should know how much to take out without stressing the tree. I know that it is recommended that you have your tree prunned every 5-7 years.

Also found a link from Clemson Univ with some hints about trying to grow grass in shady areas.hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1202.htm

 

[Mrmyke709]

Pruning should only be done for specific reasons. There is no reason to prune just because 2 years have gone by.
Sadly, most "professional" arborists are just ******* idoits with chainsaws.
The atrocities I have seen committed locally on oak trees is a damn shame.

 

[tropheus]

I have three 100+ year old oak trees, actually, they're probably over 150 years old and they are king. I'd rather have dirt than trim the canopy for no reason.

I'm going to try fescue and if the seed doesn't take well enough, I may till it and sod with St. Augustine.

I also have dogs, what about urine and fecal matter tolerance

 

[ArrogantAssclown]

If you want healthy grass, it has to have some sun. Do not go throwing money away trying different varieties of grass. From the link I provided above:

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[tropheus]

The closest branches are 12 feet off the ground, there are no trees other than the oaks. Checking this morning, I suspect the back yard gets 3-4 hours of filtered light in the morning and the corners get another 1-2 hours of pure light in the afternoon. The middle of the back gets no sun at all after the morning flitered light.

I hear what your saying and I don't disagree, there is just very little I can do to make the situation better for grass and with dogs, ground cover isn't really going to work.

I think I might try a rock garden

 

[ths71]

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[Super]

Check with these folks out in Junction. Most of their native grasses are probably sun-loving, but a few varieties may do well in shade. My buffalo grass has done okay in part shade, and is damn hardy to boot.