Sun/shade lawn mix

[WillyNelson]

I scarified our new lawn this weekend and it became abundantly clear that I need to overseed it this autumn. The problem is it's a narrow west facing garden with a 5' fence running along the south boundary. This leaves the southern half in shade (damp with a lot of moss) and the northern side in full sun (dry and parched). While a grass seed mix for either condition are widely available I can't seem to find a suitable mix for both sun & shade. And I'd rather not have to have two types of grass if at all possible.

I wondered if anyone has found a similar problem and managed to source a suitable mix? The lawn is about 14' x 25'.

Thanks

[Jane_Whitt]

Scotts Patchmaster Sun and Shade Mix :
If you have a big dog no doubt have a lot of brown spots in your garden. This is caused by excess nitrogen in urine and method of delivery, ie, a trickle down. This is the only one of the dogs, because male dogs, like humans than their male counterparts, tend to pee all over a general area. Before anyone makes comments about prevention with tomato juice or some pills, forget it. These are essentially ineffective and can actually harm your dog.
But I digress. The point is, if you have these brown spots, you may Scotts PatchMaster Sol y Sombra
a useful weapon in the fight for a green lawn. Does it replace burned spots? Is it easy to use?
Read on, dear reader ...
• • • • What is
Scotts PatchMaster Sol y Sombra is a bag of grass seed mixed with fertilizer and manure, and is used to repair dead spots in the lawn and the grass grows back.
Features and comments • • • •
All versions of Sol y Sombra PatchMaster Scotts will have different compositions depending seed in your area. Here in the Pacific Northwest, my combination is a mixture of rye, fescue and bluegrass. In total, the bag is 10% of seeds and the rest inert material, manure and fertilizers. The seed is a mix of sun and shade, which is ideal for any garden. This will allow any type of seed to take root in the shade and sun different parts of your lawn in terms of exposure. You are almost guaranteed good coverage with this mixture.
The fertilizer in the Sol y Sombra is 3-4-1 PatchMaster Scotts. This is a very low nitrogen fertilizer, ideal for new plants. High nitrogen promotes green of the plants, but with the seed you need to build a stable root system of nitrogen requires a relationship much smoother.
And finally, the rest is inert matter and mulch. Looking closely, you'll see the main ingredient is shredded paper, probably newspaper. This is an essential ingredient that allows you to simply patch the area and leave. No need to cover with soil as if the seed.
So basically what they have provided is Hydro-seed in a bag. This is practically the same thing you get when you call the type to spray hydro-seed the lawn. The only thing not included is a large truck to distribute and some "experts" to shake his head at how little I usually wear.

The application is easy. You will want to first straw to the ground. In other words, get your rake grass out, and lazy, and get rid of brown grass used to be his turf. The use rake and loosen the soil a little, do not have to be much. Just open the bag and take a handful of things and pack into the hole. A thin layer should be, maybe half an inch thick. More is a loss. Using your hands (ie lawn care, friend. There is no place for sissies) and pack firmly into the ground. Note that this material is well compacted in the bag, so you want to fall apart a bit to make it go further.
Once you've packed in place, you have to water it every day religiously, at least, probably more often depending on your climate. You need to treat it as new seeds and that's exactly what it is. Keep it wet and let it dry out or unable to germinate. Fortunately, the fertilizer contains water very well what it takes a lot of heat from the sun to dry quickly. That said, I'm horrible at keeping watered and I thought it was completely dry in more than one occasion. However, most of these points still drying sprouted after a bit of belated attention. Those who were always treated well sprung and well filled.
After a few weeks, you will sprout grass and fill in. Then cut the grass and it seems the rest of your yard until your dog urine and turns brown again.
As mentioned, I live in the Pacific Northwest, so you get lots of rain. I never had a problem with the washing away or too saturated. Considered very good. On the other hand, the days of record heat that had never harmed or grass seed. In general, burst and full of beauty.
If you break down and do not spread too thick, will be surprised how far this goes. I was able to fill more than 20 points with plenty to spare. If you have very large areas grasslessness, you may not want to use this as it is not as economical on a large scale. However, occasional brown spot, there is much in the bag.
It is noteworthy that the fertilizer is green so that it mixes better with the grass. This is slightly lame, because after 2 days of sun, bleaching. This discoloration does not prevent the grass grow. The green color is merely cosmetic. In that case, I would have preferred because I think purple would be great. But whatever.

• • • • Conclusion
Got brown spots in the lawn? Don't get rid of your dog, patch them with Scotts PatchMaster Sun and Shade.
(By the way, for those curious, the only guaranteed way to prevent your dog from making brown spots is to drench the spot on which she pees. Keep a watering can by the door and soak it. It's a bit of a hassle, but it works every time.)

[WillyNelson]

Umm... thanks. I think

However, I don't have a big dog, I have a big fence.

[Bren In Pots]

We had a similar problem with a Silver birch making the very bottom of the lawn shady but we did what you're trying to avoid, using two types of seed but you couldn't see the join IYKWIM.

[taff]

why not grow some fruit bushes there instead of having lawn?

[WillyNelson]

Thanks Bren, I think two types is probably the best option, if a bit of a PITA.

Good shout Taff but lawns are nice to sit/lie/play on and the fruit bushed go on the allotment.

[Glutton4...]

I'm sure that if you graduate the seed you'll avoid having a line. ie - Mix the two types in the middle, and you should be fine. It could be worth scarifying and improving drainage first, especially on the wetter side. Good luck with it.

[Bren In Pots]

I'm sure that if you graduate the seed you'll avoid having a line. ie - Mix the two types in the middle, and you should be fine. It could be worth scarifying and improving drainage first, especially on the wetter side. Good luck with it.

Thats just what we did G4.

[Snadger]

Similar problems are encountered at football league pitches because of shade caused by the proximity of the stands.
Ryegrass cultivars have been developed for just about any impediment to grass growth you can think of.
You would only require one shade tolerent mix as all ryegrasses perform in sunshine and there would be no difference in sward colour or growth habit.

My advice is either to shop arround for a shade mix............or befriend a premmiership groundsman!