Mature trees make Nashville neighborhoods beautiful and lawns difficult. Here is what grows in the shade and what does not.
Older Nashville neighborhoods are full of mature oaks, maples and hickories. They cool the house and frame the street, and they quietly starve the lawn beneath them. Grass needs light, and under a dense canopy there may not be enough. Add thirsty tree roots competing for water and a thick leaf layer every fall, and a lawn can thin out quickly.
Some grasses do better in shade than others. Shade-tolerant tall fescue blends handle part shade, and zoysia tolerates light shade. Bermuda does not. Beyond choosing the right grass, soil preparation, careful watering and sometimes raising the tree canopy make a difference. Where shade is deep, artificial turf, mulch beds or groundcovers can give a better result than fighting nature. We tell you honestly which approach suits each part of your yard.
Measure before you plant.
Tall fescue works best.
Water and feed more.
Loosen and amend.
Lets in light.
Turf, mulch, groundcover.
Tall Fescue SodThe workhorse lawn for Middle Tennessee: deep green, tough and comfortable underfoot, with good performance in sun and…Explore 
Zoysia SodA dense, cushiony lawn that feels like carpet, handles heat and some shade and chokes out many weeds.Explore 
Shade SodGrass that earns its place under mature trees: the right blend, the right prep and honest expectations for…Explore 
Soil TestingKnow what your soil needs: pH, nutrients and texture tested, then corrected with the right compost, lime and…Explore 
Residential TurfTurf for whole yards, side lots and play areas, designed for how your family actually uses the space.Explore Take the quiz, check a problem or ballpark a budget.
Which Grass or Turf Is Right for My Yard? QuizAnswer five questions about sun, use, pets and upkeep to see the grass or turf that fits your yard.Try it 
Sod Calculator: How Much Sod Do I Need?Enter the length and width of each lawn area to see the square feet, the pallets and rolls to order and a sensible waste allowance.Try it 
Sod and Turf Budget PlannerPick a project and a size and get a ballpark planning range.Try it Shade-tolerant tall fescue blends are the usual choice in Middle Tennessee, with zoysia as a warm-season option for light shade.
Roughly four to six hours of direct sun or plenty of bright filtered light, depending on the grass.
Consider artificial turf, mulch beds or groundcovers, which handle deep shade better than any lawn.
Yard situationNew Construction LawnsA new home sits on raw, compacted ground. Here is how to turn it into a lawn that…Learn more 
Yard situationSlopes and HillsidesHills are everywhere in Middle Tennessee. Here is how to hold a slope with grass, and when you…Learn more 
Yard situationClay Soil YardsRed Tennessee clay holds water, cracks in summer and resists roots. Here is how to build a lawn…Learn more 
Yard situationYards with DogsDogs dig, run the fence line and burn spots with urine. Here is how to keep a good…Learn more Call us and we will visit, measure your yard and give you a clear plan and a written scope for sod, artificial turf or both.
