I've recently moved into a new house in the Heights. It looks like the previous owners had problems with St Augustine and decided to try to use some Winter Rye this fall. This back yard is driving me nuts. It does get a lot of shade. From some limited research it looks like Zoysia may be more shade tolerant than St Augustine or Bermuda for sure.

Do y'all have any recommendations for what kind of sod may work? Is there a time where's too early to lay new sod? We're getting a new puppy at the beginning of Feb and I'd at least like to have this top soil covered by something.

Any local companies that y'all would recommend to use to buy sod and possibly install if I don't do it myself?

TIA!

https://imgur.com/a/0jAVbQH



Having issues getting the photo to post from Imgur now. Never have had problems in the past. Finally found the correct imgur link

Doesn't look very good. Maybe consider some hardscape.

And some shade tolerant plants in pots.

Username doesn't check out

Fescue?

Ha true! Moved to dallas after school when I first got on TexAgs. Been to Chicago and back to Houston since.

Fescue maybe

2-3 story townhomes all around with questionable drainage?

I would put shade tolerant beds down and hardscape a patio with some pavers and maybe some black star gravel

Just make sure to lay the landscape fabric down heavy

You will have a hard time getting any grass worth a **** to grow there and not be muddy.

But if your he'll bent on sod get it from Houston grass south. Best sod in the area.

Thanks. Drainage is good thankfully. House faces South. Hoping as the seasons change we'll get more sun back there.

I'm renting right now since we just moved back to Houston and we weren't sure if the area would fit our needs. Will likely buy next fall so don't want to spend on hardscape. Don't mind spending money on sod to see if it'll work as I only need 1 pallet

Crushed granite with desert plants.

Your going to get only north sun if the house faces south, grass will be thin

You're renting? I wouldn't waste much money on anything unless the landlord is willing to pay for it. Best to maybe just throw some seed out in the spring, see what comes up, and otherwise walk the pup down the sidewalk.