Shady backyards can be frustrating to deal with. The only thing that seems to grow is moss. When a homeowner called the Ask This Old House team for help, landscaper Lee Gilliam answered. With the help of a homeowner, they continue the yard’s garden aesthetic into the backyard with shade-tolerant plants, amend the soil with compost, and lay a thick carpet of shade-friendly sod.
Grass troubleshooting
- Start by introducing more sunlight to the yard. Do this by trimming back branches that are being hit with sunlight and blocking the yard. A pole cutter is the best tool for the job; just be careful when working on overhead branches.
- Next, apply a layer of compost to the yard. Use the wheelbarrow, shovel, and rakes to spread it out evenly.
- Use the rototiller to mix the compost into the soil underneath. Be sure to keep the rototiller moving to avoid ruts. Mix the soil across the entire yard.
- If desired, mark the new garden beds with the marking paint. Place the shade-friendly plants throughout the garden to get an idea for the design before digging and planting them. Shade-friendly plants include PMJ, limelight, and Annabelle hydrangeas are excellent choices.
- Following the marking paint, roll layers of microclover sod out in straight lines. Use the sod seam cutter to trim the edges and help the seams blend in throughout the yard.
- Locate and expose irrigation systems by cutting the sod around the sprinkler heads.
- Apply leaf mulch to the base of the new plants to help retain moisture. Water the sod twice a week and water the plants every day for 10 days.
Resources
If your yard is shady, maximize the sunlight exposure by trimming back larger trees. To trim back smaller tree branches, use long-reach pruners. Use a pole cutter for thicker branches.
To prep the soil before the install cover the yard with an organic compost and use a metal straight rake to spread the compost out evenly. Work the compost into the soil with a rototiller.
Once the soil is prepped, use a wheelbarrow to transport the sod to the install area. Lee selected a micro clover sod because it is shade tolerant and low maintenance. Install the sod in a staggered brick-like pattern using sod cutters to cut the rolls to length. Use hand pruners to cut around sprinkler heads.
Materials
Tools
You may choose to rent a rototiller.
