Question
hi,
i live near sacramento,  have had trouble getting my lawn to grow in the back for numerous years.  the lawn is surrounded by redwoods,  mostly shady.  lawn is very thin.  have tried numerous types of grass seed.  thanks for any advice.

Answer

Dwarf Mondo Grass Hello,

I would suggest that if you want a true grass,to try fescue. This grass is very shade tolerant. Apply a fertilizer formulated for fescue.

Cover plants that resemble grass and are shade tolerant are liriope ("monkey grass") and the mondo grasses.

Liriope spicata (common type). Narrow leaves,6 to 18 inches long. Spreads aggressively,produces flowers and makes a thick even turf and tolerates deep shade.

Liriope spicata (silver dragon). Narrow white and green variegated foliage,which tends to revert to solid green in deep shade,12 inches long. Does not spread as aggressively as liriope spicata common type. Tolerates deep shade.

Dwarf mondo grass (ophiopogon japonicus). Tolerates full shade and drought. Grows to 6 inches tall. Grows thick and resembles a coarse broad leaf grass.

You also might want to check out the various shade tolerant ground covers. Pachysandra and periwinkle (vinca minor) are among the top ten deep shade tolerant ground covers. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.

Mark Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

http://www.scribd.com/markscrib47