My backyard is about 70% shade. I have some erosion issues (large protruding roots) and haven't had much luck with grass. Thinking about putting down some K31 grass seed, because I've read it's good for erosion control. Some reviews say it does well in shady areas, and others say not. Any recommendations on the whole back yard would be very welcome! (the landscaping that you see was all done by the previous home owner).
by ShotEnthusiasm7946
4 Comments
Forget the K31. That is an old cheap pasture grass that grows in ugly thick clumps and it stands absolutely zero chance of surviving under those mature trees. You have deep shade and heavy surface roots which means the canopy is drinking every drop of water and blocking the sunlight. Turf grass needs direct sun and plenty of moisture to establish a root system strong enough to stop erosion. If you try to force a traditional lawn where a forest clearly wants to be you are just going to be fighting bare patches and mud forever.
Stop fighting the trees and build a proper woodland understory instead. Pull up that little half circle of paving stones around the center tree because it looks completely unnatural and just traps dirt against the root flare. You need to connect that entire bare zone around the trees and sheds into one massive sweeping natural mulch bed. Once you do that plant large continuous groups of shade tolerant groundcovers like wild ginger or Pennsylvania sedge to lock down the soil. Layer in sweeping masses of ferns for some actual structure and visual flow. That solves your erosion issue naturally while turning a patchy dirt lot into a cohesive high end landscape.
Grass needs more sun . Plant hostas .
That much shade, i’d recommend “mulchgrass”…sorry, couldn’t resist. But in all seriousness, you should only consider planting grass in the area between the pool & trees. From trees to shed/fence line, mulch. As for type of grass. If area around pool is relatively sunny, i’d go zoysia
Sweet gum balls would make a very attractive but inhospitable long lasting mulch. Agree with According, pull the grass and plant low growing ground covers. Before that pave paths to the shed and play house and you might want to add a little patio in front of them for ease of use/play.