A shady lawn might seem like a blessing in a hot climate, but grass has a hard time growing in the shade.
While lawns in the sun have their own set of problems, but a shady lawn has its own set of challenges. For example, in a heavy shade, grass can’t grow very well—and even if it does grow, it won’t be as lush and healthy. If you want to compensate for the unavailability of sun (because trees aren’t going anywhere), your best bet is to get creative with your sprinkler system.
Springtime for shady lawns brings some special considerations when deciding where to place sprinklers. While sprinklers should always be placed around trees according to the technique shown above, in really shady areas there are additional factors that you should take into account before placing your sprinklers. If there are large objects blocking sunlight from reaching certain parts of your yard, then those parts may need more frequent watering than the rest of your yard. Remember! Sprinkler placement doesn’t just mean placing one or two sprinklers somewhere on your lawn; it means making sure that all parts of the yard get enough water!
Many types of grass and plants need at least 6 hours of sun per day to grow.
We’ve been sprinkler maintenance experts for a long time, and we know one of the most common questions newbies have is: “How much sun does my lawn really need?” This can be difficult to answer because it’s based on so many factors.
What kind of grass do you have? Some varieties like the heat more than others, and the same goes for your plants. If you want some shade-loving vegetation, don’t go with a super high-maintenance grass that needs extra water and fertilizer to stay green in summer. And if you’re going with a type of grass that just won’t grow under trees, you may need more water capacity than someone whose yard gets full sun every day.
And what’s your soil type? Sandy soil dries out faster than loamy or clay soils, so if your property is sandy, you’ll probably want to get a sprinkler system with more zone control options (like valves) to allow you to target moisture only where it’s needed. Clay soil stays moist longer but can cause clogs in the pipes over time—if your home has lots of clay in its ground or soil, get an inspection from one of our pros to make sure there are no hidden issues!
In terms of plant life and sunlight needs, here are some basic guidelines:
# Most types of succulents such as aloe thrive best with at least 6 hours of full sun each day (in other words, they’ll have trouble surviving at all if you’re surrounded by trees). Other types of shade-loving plants include violets (which need 3–6 hours), ferns (which require 4–6), and sedum (which should be given 6 hours).
Common causes of shade in your yard include big trees and neighboring houses, but shade can also come from surrounding buildings, fences, sheds, ponds, and more.
If your house is built in an area with lots of shade, you may want to check out some of the common causes of shade. Many of these are relatively inexpensive and easy to fix, so you can get back to enjoying your yard without having to put a lot of effort into it.
#1 Shade from trees
Looking at the picture above and reading this list, you’ll probably know that one cause of shade is trees. Bigger trees tend to cast a shadow over anything close by, including buildings and lawns. Whenever there’s a tree at least three feet in diameter nearby, you should consider investing in some sort of tree-covering fabric or plant if you don’t already have one. This will help remove most or all of the shadow from your house or yard during the day (or at night).
There are ways to get around this problem by using the right types of grasses and fertilizers for shady lawns.
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Here are some tips from Sprinkler World on how to maintain a shady lawn with sprinklers.
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With the right tools and knowledge, you can transform your yard from a shade patch into a lush green haven.
When it comes to lawns, the grass is always greener on the other side—but if you live in a shady nook or cranny, you may find yourself with a yard that’s less emerald and more spinach. What can you do if your property is shady?
What type of grass should I use for my shady lawn?
When deciding on a type of grass for your shady yard, you’ll want to consider your options and then choose an option that’s right for your situation. Some types of grass are better at dealing with shade than others, so do research before buying anything! The following lists some common types of grasses and their sunny/shady compatibility:
Sunny: Bluegrass (All cool-season types) – Bluegrass is known for thriving in full sun conditions. This variety has coarse blades, which allow water to drain from underneath easily. It also needs to be mowed often, so go ahead and take advantage of those warm summer days!
Bluegrass (All cool-season types) – Bluegrass is known for thriving in full sun conditions. This variety has coarse blades, which allow water to drain from underneath easily. It also needs to be mowed often, so go ahead and take advantage of those warm summer days! Sunny: Zoysia (Zoysia tenuifolia) – Zoysia is moderately priced when compared to other grass varieties and thrives in hot climates. This variety must be watered frequently but grows well even under heavy shade trees or near houses due its tolerance for shade environments The leaves are rounded on this type of grass; they don’t need much maintenance beyond an occasional trimming. Avoid any fertilizer with high nitrogen content when growing zoysia as it helps promote brown tips during dormancy periods Once established , this variety isn’t very demanding regarding watering schedules but will do best on regular irrigation throughout the year
The best times of day to water zoysia would be earlySummer is a great time to get out and enjoy the sun, but if you’re like me, you probably wouldn’t mind a little relief from the heat. Unfortunately, shady lawns can be difficult to maintain.
Fortunately, you don’t have to invest in fancy equipment to keep your lawn looking lush and green all summer long. Here are a few simple summertime tips for a shady lawn with sprinklers:
1. Make sure the sprinkler heads are pointing down at the grass, not shooting up into the air. If you have really tall trees that are casting big shadows, you’ll want to adjust your sprinkler heads accordingly so they can still reach the ground and don’t spray water up into the air where it won’t do any good.
2. Test your system by turning on one zone at a time and walking through it with an empty glass or bucket in hand. You should be able to fill up about three quarters of an inch of water in about 15 minutes or less; if you’re getting less than that, check out our troubleshooting guide for more information on how to fix common problems like low pressure or leaks in your pipes.
3. If possible, irrigate during off-peak hours like early morning when temperatures are cooler—this
If you have a shady lawn with sprinklers, don’t you want to know how to keep those sprinklers in tip-top shape? Of course you do! You’ve got a beautiful home and a beautiful lawn, and it would be a shame if your sprinklers started acting up just when your flowers are reaching their peak bloom. Luckily, we’ve got some tips for you.
When creating an irrigation system for your yard, target the following areas:
• Plantings that can tolerate dry conditions
• Areas receiving direct sun
• Plants and grasses that need regular watering
• Shady areas with little direct sunlight
The sun is shining, the weather is warming up, and you’re probably spending more time outside than usual. Doesn’t that shaded corner of your yard look a little lonely? Well, have no fear! We’ve got some tips for you to get that corner in shape and make sure your sprinkler system is running efficiently.
1. Make sure your sprinkler heads are adjustable. The water flow through them should be able to be directed, so that you can spray the water exactly where you need it, instead of wasting it on a big area all at once.
2. Know how much water your sprinklers produce. If you don’t know how much they’re putting out, chances are they’re not performing at peak efficiency—and if they’re not performing at their best, who knows how much water you might be wasting?
3. Keep an eye on the soil moisture level of your shaded area. You probably won’t have to run your sprinklers as often as you do in direct sunlight, and if your soil stays moist for longer periods of time between runs, then it’s probably time to adjust the schedule for that part of the yard.
4. Adjust your sprinkler schedule accordingly. If you can keep an eye on the area where
Summer is finally here! With the warmer weather comes long days, backyard barbecues, and hours of fun in the sun. But if your lawn is especially shady, you may be worried about keeping your grass green without having to water it all day long.
We’ve got some good news: with a few simple steps and a little bit of know-how, you can give your lawn the care it needs to stay green even during the hottest days! Here’s how:
1. Change your sprinkler heads. You’ll have to check with the manufacturer to see if this is possible, but for most sprinklers and systems, switching out standard spray heads for low-angle rotary nozzles can help you get more coverage on lower levels. This will help ensure that every bit of your lawn gets the water it needs, and that nothing stays dry or brown all summer long.
2. Make sure you’re scheduling correctly. If you notice that your grass isn’t getting enough water even after changing out your sprinkler heads, the problem may not be the equipment—it may be how you’re using it! Check that you aren’t setting your system to run at times when most of the water will evaporate before reaching your lawn, like midday or late
Although you can’t control the amount of shade in your lawn, you can ensure your sprinklers work effectively even if you have areas with less sun. Here are some tips to keep your sprinkler system working properly even in the shade.
Make sure water is getting to all areas of your lawn:
A common issue with sprinklers is uneven coverage. This can be due to different factors and could be especially problematic for shaded areas of your lawn. One issue may be from the uneven pressure from the water source. This can be caused by a clogged filter or other damage to the pipes. Another cause could be damaged sprinkler heads, so make sure to check them for damage and make sure they are pointed straight up so that they provide even coverage.
Install a timer:
A timer will ensure that your sprinklers turn on and off at the same time everyday, no matter what. A timer also negates issues with being out of town or forgetting to turn off the sprinklers when needed.
Use slow-release fertilizers:
These fertilizers will slowly break down over time and provide your grass with nutrition over a longer period of time than regular fertilizer, which means it will not wash away easily with rain or watering like regular fertilizer might.
Summer’s just around the corner, and we’re all thinking about how to get our lawns looking great. But what if you have a shady lawn? There are different challenges involved in maintaining a beautiful lawn that doesn’t get much direct sunlight, so we’ve compiled some tips that will help keep your grass green and healthy all summer long.
First up: watering. The amount of time you water your lawn is more important than the frequency with which you do it. You want to water for a longer period of time but less frequently to allow the water to soak into the ground rather than just run off the surface. Shady lawns also need less water, so start by watering for about 20 minutes and see how your lawn responds over the course of a few days. If it starts to brown, increase the amount of time you spend watering it until it looks healthy again.
If your sprinklers are old or clogged, they may be spraying in an uneven pattern, leaving some areas dry while others are overly wet. This can damage your lawn and encourage mold and other harmful growths to take root in patches of shade or damp soil. Consider replacing faulty sprinklers with ones that spray in a wider radius, allowing for better coverage of your entire lawn without having to
1. Don’t skip watering the lawn, even if it’s shady.
You might think that your shaded lawn doesn’t need water because it gets some from the shade of tree cover. But that’s just not true! A shaded lawn needs extra water because the soil is more prone to drying out.
2. Water in the morning, not at night/dusk.
Avoid sprinkler use at night and dusk, when cool nighttime temperatures mean less evaporation and water loss.
3. Adjust your sprinklers as the season changes.
In early spring, you’ll need to water less frequently, but for longer periods of time (up to two hours) so the water can seep down into your lawn’s roots.
4. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage healthy root growth.
It’s better to give your lawn a deep drink once a week than a light misting every day (though of course you should keep an eye on it and adjust your watering schedule if it looks like your lawn is drying out).
