First aid for your lawn: shaded grass

Shaded grass can not only be unsightly, but it's a sign of poor lawn health. Here's how to cure this common problem.

• Shaded grass will look thin and patchy.
• Some types of grass actually produce wider blades as the plant tries hard to catch more rays. But they also produce far fewer blades, lending a spindly appearance to the lawn.
• The cold truth is, if your lawn gets less than six to eight hours of sun daily, you are unlikely to sustain lush grass.

Trees, buildings and bushes.

• You can increase the sunlight as much as possible by trimming trees and shrubs.
• Also try starting areas in shade with sod instead of seed. The sod will adjust to the lower level of light.
• Although all seed varieties have their shade limitations, try over-seeding your thin area with a shady grass mix.
• You can also throw in the towel, grab your trowel and plant a shade-tolerant ground cover. Many will thrive where your turf withered.
• Lamium (dead nettle) and ajuga (bugleweed) collaborate nicely in providing lovely blooms and an enthusiastic, but not invasive, carpet.
• This pair fares well with a hearty tolerance, and can be planted right up to your grass. They are fairly low growers and won't get more than a few nicks from a lawn mower.
• Also, mulching between the ground cover plants will help retain moisture. This is especially wise if your new "shade garden" is on a slope; mulch will help prevent your fledging plants from washing out in a hard rain.

• Your grass may never do well in the shade, despite your best efforts. If this is the case, then you must opt for the alternative: a shade garden or shade-tolerant ground cover.
• The plants and mulch will immediately boost the appearance of an area that was once thin grass.
• It will take a couple of seasons for the ground cover to become established and blanket the area.