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.