How to Grow Grass in Shade & Sandy Soil

Plant your shade grass on some nutritive base to help it survive the high rate of sand. Break up the soil in the area with a tiller and rake out any roots, rocks and debris. Spread 3 inches of compost and work that into the top 6 inches of soil. Rake the bed smooth.

Roll out the sod and lay it closely together. When the area is covered, use a sod roller to firm the soil and help the sod make good contact with the surface. Water the lawn immediately and daily for the next two weeks. Water until the top 2 to 3 inches are wet. The roots of the sod must stay moist. After establishment, water only in dry periods. Shade grass doesn't dry out as fast as that in sun, so it needs to be on a different irrigation schedule.

Use a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus to promote root growth at planting time. Use one pound per 1,000 square feet. Shade grasses need less fertilizer than those growing in sun because they grow more slowly. Fertilize once annually with an all-purpose time-release fertilizer at the rate the manufacturer recommended. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which will increase leaf growth but weaken and slim the foliage.

Mow shade grasses high. The increased height gives the plant more leaf surface area to absorb light. Reduced mowing also will help by limiting the stress the plant experiences, thus keeping it healthy.

Carry out excellent care and management practices to increase the vigor and reduce the stress of the lawn. Aerate annually so water can penetrate the root mass. Thatch the sod when thatch builds up to 1/2 inch or more. Reduce the amount of foot traffic in the shady area. The wear and tear will be too much for the already stressed grass.