Landscaping Tips for a Shaded Lawn & Garden
Does your lawn or garden have large shaded areas? Have you been trying to figure out what to do with these areas for months or even years? While many people think nothing except moss, lichen, or a foliage garden will grow in these areas, that just isn’t the case! There are plenty of grasses, vegetables, plants, and flowers that can grow in shaded areas. Keep reading to learn what types of greens grow best in the shade and how you can grow them to their fullest potential.
1 ) Growing Grass in the Shade
While most all grasses prefer sun, some tolerate the shade more than others. If you have large shrubs or trees that are blocking sunlight, try to thin them out as much as possible, allowing the maximum sunlight to reach your grass. Your goal should be allowing at least 4 hours of sunlight to reach your grass each day. Using the adequate amounts of fertilizer and watering properly will also help to ensure your grass is healthy, even in the shade.
Best Grasses for Shaded Areas:
- Rye
- Fescue
- Bluegrass
2 ) Growing Vegetables in the Shade
Most vegetables will need three to six hours of sunlight each day or consistent, dappled sunlight throughout the day. While not all vegetables (especially fruits/roots) will grow properly in the shade, there are still plenty of vegetables that you can grow in shaded areas. There are even benefits to growing vegetables in the shade such as: less frequent watering, crops like lettuce and spinach may grow longer without too much heat, and adding a garden in a shaded area will give you more room to grow something else in sunny spots of your lawn!
Best Vegetables for Shaded Gardens:
- Leaf Lettuce
- Arugula
- Endive
- Cress
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Brussels Sprouts
- Radishes
3 ) Growing Plants & Flowers in the Shade
Plants and flowers that grow well in the shade are usually better protected due to nearby trees and shrubs that blockout summer heat or winter winds. Even better, you don’t have to rake up leaves that fall on or near your shaded plants. The leaves will provide a natural mulch that both enriches the soil and helps prevent weed growth.
Best Plants & Flowers for Shaded Areas:
- Impatiens
- Torenia
- Bloodroot
- Viola
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Gardenia
- Dogwood
Do you have a vibrant garden growing in the shade? What are your favorite plants, vegetables, or flowers to grow in the shade? Leave us a comment below or tell us on Facebook!
If you would like the professionals at Brackman’s Stepping Stone Rock and Garden Center, LLC to help with any of your landscaping or gardening needs, give us a call today at 601-264-2886 or email us at thesteppingstone@live.com.
