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Parents yard is a mess, need some rec's

Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:46 pm
Posted by Horsemeat
2025 Contributor Of The Year
Member since Dec 2014
15396 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 2:46 pm
Parents have centipede grass but it has really gotten wrecked by the drought over the last few years. Big brown spots that need to be patched up, but the kicker is they put entirely too much shade down the side of their property and it blocks out the sun from about 2p to dusk. I've decided I'm going to help em out and get their yard back to presentable status this summer, looking for an idea of which grass seed yall would use for this situation. I have zero experience with grass problems, I can be over there regularly for the next two weeks to loose up the soil, seed, fertilize, and water the spots - but after that I will likely be gone until July.
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5800 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 3:21 pm to
St Augustine or Zoysia are going to be the most shade tolerant lawn grasses but you are going to be limited to sod, not seed. With a recommended fertilization schedule and cutting height, St. Augustine would likely “crowd out” the remaining centipede over time - not a bad thing. Although you can replace the damaged-dead centipede areas with centipede sod it’s simply not going to do well with the 1/2 day of sun & you’ll be back at square one in 2 or 3 years - ask me how I know…..lol.

If the area was full shade I’d probably look at some type of ground cover and forget grass altogether but you are indicating at least a 1/2+ day of morning sun, which suggest to me the right type of grass would be doable.

Would trimming tree branches etc. to allow more sunlight in those areas in the afternoon be doable? If so, then replacing with centipede sod could be an option. Anyway, very common problem for many homeowners as trees grow and mature and reduce sunlight in areas where lawn grass use to thrive.
Posted by Horsemeat
2025 Contributor Of The Year
Member since Dec 2014
15396 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 6:25 pm to
My dad got overzealous with the oaks and planted a bunch down the side of the property where the sun sets, 20 years later its killing the grass, especially after several dry summers in a row. Only thing I think that will fix the issue is having to remove all of the oaks.
Posted by GasMan
north Mississippi
Member since Sep 2003
1494 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 6:43 pm to
Crew of Mexicans.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
61767 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 7:05 pm to
Unless you can trim some limbs to get at least a little sun, you will have a tough time growing anything. I would plug some st Augustine and water it for the summer. St Augustine is a hell of a lot more vibrant than centipede
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48218 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 7:53 pm to
quote:

Only thing I think that will fix the issue is having to remove all of the oaks.
trees are a gift. Turf grass is a net negative for all involved. Call a landscaper or similar and order a bulk load of shredded bark, spread that around over the bare areas, then plug with monkey grass and/or liriope. If you want to add some vertical growth stick some cast iron plants in clumps. Done and will be maintenance free for many years…no mowing, no watering, no fertilizing, no dust, no problem
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5800 posts
Posted on 3/29/26 at 8:43 pm to
quote:

trees are a gift. Turf grass is a net negative for all involved. Call a landscaper or similar and order a bulk load of shredded bark, spread that around over the bare areas, then plug with monkey grass and/or liriope. If you want to add some vertical growth stick some cast iron plants in clumps. Done and will be maintenance free for many years…no mowing, no watering, no fertilizing, no dust, no problem


Horse….based on your comments on the live oaks I really think cgrand’s recommendation above is your best course of action. You can have live oaks or grass - not likely both - hate to see you spend your time and effort and dollars on grass when it’s likely going to fail.
This post was edited on 3/29/26 at 11:12 pm
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
20176 posts
Posted on 3/30/26 at 8:23 am to
quote:

Only thing I think that will fix the issue is having to remove all of the oaks.


Ground cover around those oak trees and be done with it. Low maintenance.

Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
24235 posts
Posted on 3/30/26 at 9:09 am to
quote:

looking for an idea of which grass seed yall would use for this situation
Nope. Zoysia sod only.
The only warm season grass with a reasonable chance of seeding is bermuda, but not with any shade.
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