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Cultural factors can also increase the health and thus survivability of grasses grown in shade.  Practicing the following guidelines results in an improved turf in shade areas:

Remember grasses in your "mini forest" shade areas are a man-made thing.  In general you never find the "lawn type" grasses growing within a natural forest EXCEPT in open clearing areas.

• Mow your grass at higher heights than in sunlight areas. Generally mowing 1/3 higher than normal height is the recommended practice for shade areas.

• Avoid high nitrogen applications in shade areas.  Fertilize trees with deep root feedings underground and NOT applied on the turf.

• Use fungicides when disease symptoms appear.

• Keep traffic to a minimum on shady areas.  Traffic (humans and dogs) is more stressful to grasses in shaded areas. 

• Minimize your applications of water so as to limit the time water remains on leaf surfaces.  If possible water during period when the grass will dry the fastest so as to reduce disease problems.  Do not water at higher rates than the ground can absorb (infiltrate).

• Changing environmental conditions in your shade areas can result in a healthier turfgrass.