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Best grass seed combination for most fully shaded lawn #900481

Asked May 07, 2025, 2:39 PM EDT

Dear Master Gardener, May 7, 2025 I have 7 mature Oak trees providing a summer canopy over my West Bloomington, MN home. The majority of my approximately 20,000 sq ft lawn faces South and West. My lawn does get a decent start in May but when June comes my lawn is mostly in the shade. My lawn struggles throughout the summer and never looks great starting in June and degrades in July, August and September. I have purchased shady lawn grass seed from Bachmans Home and Garden for a number of years. This is the makeup of Bachmans grass seed for shady lawns this spring: 20% Lifeguard Turf type tall fescue 20% Relentless Turf type tall fescue 20% Enchantment Chewings 20% Mollala Perennial Ryegrass 20% Mazama Kentucky Bluegrass Is there a better shady lawn grass seed combination available in the Bloomington area to use this year? What is the name of the grass seed and also the name of seller? I do water the lawn over the summer. I mow the lawn and leave the cuttings on the lawn. I keep the height to 3” or maybe a little higher. I do not remember what Bachman’s lawn fertilizer I use. What seed would you suggest and how many lbs per 1,000 sq ft? What fertilizer do you suggest and how many lbs per1,000 sq ft? I have a push spreader available. Any information and suggestions are welcome.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning Terry, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

First, here is a link about buying turfgrass seed in Minnesota: https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/buying-turfgrass-seed-minnesota-lawns This link discusses many types of grass seed and growing in the shade. 

We do not recommend specific products or companies. The amount of seed per square foot should be indicated on the packaging . 

I am sure your mature oak trees and beautiful and are very important to our pollinators. Anything planted under the trees will compete with the trees for moisture and nutrients. 

Here is a link to cool season turf grass lawn calendar: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lawn-care-calendar

This link includes information about using wood mulch around the trunk of established trees to protect the trees and encourage them to thrive: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-established-trees-and-shrubs#benefits-of-mulching-1262611

You might consider alternatives to turf grass, planting for pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/flowers-pollinators

Gardening in the shade: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/gardening-shade

Good Luck!



Maureen Graber Replied May 08, 2025, 9:44 AM EDT

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