Calling Austin Gardeners - Shade Sod that Matches Bermuda (Howe: house, yard)

[llkltk]

We have a side yard that is heavily shaded. The Bermuda has pretty much died off in that area. What shade tolerant sod will blend well with Bermuda and do well in the heat of Austin. I don't want to sod it with Bermuda because it will just disappear.

[cBach]

Monkey grass works well in shaded areas, but it is more of a ground cover instead of a sod. However, it is beautiful and you never have to mow it.

If you insist on a sod, St. Augustine will work well in shaded areas. It requires lots of water, but it does well in the shade. In my yard, in the summer the shady areas grow gangbuster while the St. Augustine in the sun withers away. I think Bermuda in the sun and St. Augustine in the shade works well.

[motherofthree]

I have some heavy shade areas in my yard so I tried St. Augustine and that did not work. St. Augustine is the only grass here that can tolerate SOME shade. I now have river rock on the sides of my house. I don't have to mow, very few weeds because of the shade and it helps keep the termites away from the foundation of the house.

[CptnRn]

St. Augustine does well in partially shaded areas, but still needs some sun. I planted St. Augustine sod twice in the shaded areas between my house and my neighbors, only to have it die off. I ended up putting gravel and a paver stone walkway in those areas. Adding some monkey grass in that area is a good idea so its not all gravel and stone.

You can replace large sod areas with monkey grass and never have to mow it again. Here is one example where that was done. http://www.louisvilleky.gov/APCD/law...roundCover.htm

One thing to watch out for in mixing St. Augustine with Bermuda, you need a good border dividing the two, otherwise the St. Augustine will grow out into the Bermuda and take it over. It is much more effective at crowding out weeds and Bermuda then Bermuda grass is, but it is a water hog, so if you have a good Bermuda lawn you are better off keeping it and keeping the St. Augustine out.

[achtungpv]

Most of the zoysia sods do well in shade and don't require much water. There's some that look similar to bermuda.

[XLadylawX]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

One thing to watch out for in mixing St. Augustine with Bermuda, you need a good border dividing the two, otherwise the St. Augustine will grow out into the Bermuda and take it over. It is much more effective at crowding out weeds and Bermuda then Bermuda grass is, but it is a water hog, so if you have a good Bermuda lawn you are better off keeping it and keeping the St. Augustine out.

Agreed, St. Augustine really is just a cultivated weed and it will encroach on everything given the slightest opportunity. Resistance is futile.

[XLadylawX]

How about dispensing with grass alltogether and put in some gravel or decomposed granite with a nice limestone path? You could also enhance the area with some shade tolerant ornamental grass plugs or other foliage.

Check out this little pathway that motherofthree did. It looks like it is in full sun but you can get the idea.

I saw a beautiful rose garden

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by XLadylawX

How about dispensing with grass alltogether and put in some gravel or decomposed granite with a nice limestone path? You could also enhance the area with some shade tolerant ornamental grass plugs or other foliage.

Check out this little pathway that motherofthree did. It looks like it is in full sun but you can get the idea.

I saw a beautiful rose garden

Seems like it would be a pain to drag the mower over an area like that. This is the only route into the back yard.

Zoysia sounds promising.

[XLadylawX]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Seems like it would be a pain to drag the mower over an area like that. This is the only route into the back yard.

Zoysia sounds promising.

Upon reflection, I think we've had this conversation before.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Seems like it would be a pain to drag the mower over an area like that. This is the only route into the back yard.

Zoysia sounds promising.

Zoysia is more expensive then St. Augustine and according to the City of Austin Grow Green website Zoysia does not do as well in shade as St. Augustine does.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen.../turfgrass.pdf

Alternatives to turf grass that they suggest for shade areas are liriope, monkey grass and river fern.