Lawn Care Tips for Shaded Gardens in Arundel & Emsworth

Why shade lawns fail

Less light means less photosynthesis, so grass grows thin and moss thrives—especially on moist clay and compact soils common in West Sussex.

Choose the right seed

• Fine fescues (chewings, hard fescue) for dappled shade.
• Browntop bent for older, sheltered gardens.
• Avoid pure ryegrass mixes in deep shade.

Maintenance that works

• Raise the mower: 5–7 cm to maximise leaf area.
• Scarify lightly in spring/autumn; remove moss but avoid scalping.
• Aerate annually (solid tines in tree-root zones).
• Feed little and often; too much nitrogen stretches soft growth.
• Prune lower branches to lift the canopy; aim for dappled light.
• Water deeply, infrequently—shade stays wetter; avoid daily sprinkles.

Bare spots that never fill?

Switch to shade-tolerant groundcovers (e.g., pachysandra) or mulch rings under mature trunks to protect roots and clean up the look.

Local tip: Coastal Emsworth lawns get salty breezes—rinse dust/salt from leaves after dry spells to improve light capture.