Help...renovating shade area

How many sg ft are you talking about in the shade area's, Heidi?

About 1000 to 1500 I would guess.

HtH

That's about the same size shade area I battle with here in Ohio. I brought in decent topsoil, added some organics and seed it twice a year with a rye/fine fescue blend. I use 10-18-10 fertilizer there and -never- put pre-emergent down.

You mentioned you have a free water source, I water my shade area at least 1 to 2 inches per week.

It's a never ending battle, and pruning your tree as you suggested would help.

If all else fails, consider replacing the turf with shade tolerant ground covers.

What "organics" would you put down ?

Would a rye/fine fescue blend survive here ? I'm about the same climate as extreme southern Ohio...say Cincinati or Louisville. Bermuda grows here in the sun...but barely.

Thanks.

HtH

Tall fescue is not suited to shade areas. Most shade mixes rely on varieties like creeping red fescue and other fine fescues. I'd go with a high quality shade mix. I've used Johnathon Green Shady Nook and Dense shade with good results. The denser the shade, the tougher it is to grow grass.

No kidding..that's why I said fine fescue.

I added aged manure and bails of peat moss..shallow tilled it in.

I'd try it..with the shade and your irrigation the soil temp should be lowered enough to allow it.

Thanks for the newsflash. What do you trade?