How Do I Get Grass to Grow in the Shade in My San Antonio Backyard?

Why Will Not My Grass Grow in the Shade?

This is one of the most common frustrations I hear from San Antonio homeowners. The front yard looks great. The backyard has a big live oak or a covered patio and the grass underneath it is thin, patchy, or just dirt.

St. Augustine Is Your Best Bet, But It Has Limits

St. Augustine is the most shade-tolerant grass we have in South Texas. But even St. Augustine needs four to five hours of direct sunlight per day to stay healthy. If your backyard is getting less than that, the grass is going to struggle no matter what you do.

What You Can Try

If the area is getting close to that four-hour threshold, a few things help. Raising the mowing height is one of them. Taller grass blades capture more of the limited light. Thinning out the tree canopy a little can also make a real difference without hurting the tree.

When Grass Is Not the Right Answer

Sometimes the honest answer is that grass is not going to work in a particular spot. If the area is getting less than four hours of sun, you are going to keep fighting a losing battle. In those cases, mulch is usually the cleanest solution. It looks intentional, it is good for the tree roots, and it eliminates the frustration of trying to grow something that does not want to grow there.

Call us at 817-484-8835 or visit recoverlandscape.com. We serve San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Valley, Boerne, Schertz, and the surrounding area.