Grass is not a good choice for shade, popular paths and steep slopes.
- A minimum of 4 hours of direct sun is needed even for shade tolerant grasses such as fescues.
- For any grass to thrive concentrated foot or equipment traffic needs to be spread out. This includes varying mowing paths to distribute mower tire traffic.
- Managing mowing equipment over steep areas is a hassle and potentially dangerous, alternative cover minimizes risk.
Here are some alternatives for these situations:
Organic mulches (formerly living material) such as chopped leaves, straw, wood chips and shredded bark.
Inorganic mulches such as gravel and stones.
Shade-tolerant perennials, annuals, woodland natives and groundcovers such as Hosta species, impatiens, coleus, salvia, mosses, ferns, trilliums, wild ginger, lily-of-the-valley, sweet
woodruff, and bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum, pictured).
Sun-loving groundcovers such as wildflowers, junipers, ivies and sedums.
For more options see: Weed Suppressive Groundcovers