I've got a back yard that has some bermuda growing in the sunny areas, but there are some shady areas that also are trafficked by a dog that I would like to get some grass growing. These areas don't get much sun either. So... is there a shade tolerant, medium to high traffic tolerant grass that will do well beside Bermuda?

I was thinking of Zoysia. I googled it and read about it, but it seems like there are just as many people that say Zoysia and Bermuda don't mix that say that they can mix. Anybody got any experience with this?

I guess this is more baffling than I thought.

I am also looking for and answer to your question. Our side yards get no sun and the bermudagrass won't grow there. The front and backyards look great but the side yards are pretty much bald.

Go to Neil Sperry's website.

I really don't think there is any grass that will grow in shade. San Augustine is the best in shade, but I believe it still needs 4 hours or more of sunlight.

Zoysia

Sorry just read the title first.

Zoysia will work. Bermuda will outcompete it in the sunny areas and zoysia will grow in the shady spots. I still recommend limbing up or thinning out your tree(s) to get a little more light to the turf

Can you buy Zoysia sod anywhere around Fort Worth? How does it compare to bermuda price wise?

TIA

There's a lot of different types of zoysia. But it is generally a little bit more expensive than Bermuda and without checking I'm going to guess yes there is a sod farm near by with it.

Try King Ranch Turf. They seem to be everywhere!

Zoyzia is a good grass, but you typically need a rotary mower or a very sharp mower to cut it since its so thick. Honestly i would look at getting St. Augustine. St. Augustine can handle traffic and is the most shade tolerant. i would also just trim your trees, but not too much that you butcher them. the rule of thumb is to thin them out until you see streams of light come through.

[This message has been edited by SirLander07 (edited 3/20/2011 9:56p).]

Zoysia has many different variaties. Some look also like Bermuda. Some look similar to St A. Many have better shade tolerance than St A and good wear tolerance. Although they are slow to recover from damage.

Aesthetically the right zoysia is much more desired than mixing St A and Bermuda which I would never do because it clashes to me

It's not a tree that causes the shade. It is my house. My house sits east to west so there is a small strip, about 3 - 5 feet, that gets little to no sun in my back yard. I tried St. Augustine a couple of years ago and it didn't take thanks to the dog. The traffic from him killed it.

If the St A didn't work the zoysia probably won't either. Odds are it's time to get creative and find something besides grass or block your dog from that area

My ignorance contributed to it also. I am quite positive I mowed the St. Augustine too short...

I've just always read the Zoysia seems to be hardier than St. A.

It can withstand more wear but it is very slow to recover so if there is constant traffic on the grass while it is already under stress from low sunlight it probably won't survive.

Try upping the amount of potash or potassium you apply. Potassium improves wear tolerance

good luck