Shade lawn questions
What is the best grass seed for a north-facing garden UK?
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For a north-facing garden in the UK, Forest Floor is our specialist deep shade blend. It uses low-light fescue cultivars proven to establish in under 3 hours of daily direct sunlight, with a 3× survival advantage over standard mixes in deep shade. North-facing gardens often have acid soil too — Forest Floor is calibrated for pH 5.0–6.5.
Can grass grow under trees in the UK?
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Yes, grass can grow under trees in UK gardens with the right cultivar. Standard grass seed needs 6+ hours of sunlight and will fail under moderate to heavy canopy. Forest Floor uses specialist shade cultivars that establish in under 3 hours daily, making it suitable for gardens with beech, oak, and dense ornamental canopy.
What is the difference between Forest Floor and Dappled Light?
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Dappled Light is for partial shade — gardens receiving 3-6 hours of daily direct sun. It uses shade-adapted fescues blended with wood meadow grass for a fine, natural texture. Forest Floor is for deep shade — under 3 hours daily. It uses more extreme low-light specialist cultivars with higher shade tolerance but a slightly coarser texture. If in doubt, choose Forest Floor — it tolerates more sun than Dappled Light tolerates deep shade.
How do I know if my garden is too shady for grass?
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Track when your garden receives direct sunlight on a typical summer day. Count only periods of direct sun — not bright overcast conditions. Under 3 hours: use Forest Floor. 3-6 hours: use Dappled Light. Over 6 hours: you can use any of our range. Even if grass is a struggle, our shade blends will give you the best possible result given the available light.