STEADFAST: Ultra Shade is the ultimate solution for lawns with permanent shade where grass is struggling to grow. Our specialised mix contains high-quality grass varieties designed for use in very shaded areas where the sun is blocked by walls, high-rise fences or where light levels are particularly low. This mixture contains the exceptionally shade-tolerant grass super species Poa Supina which is renowned for its ability to grow in relatively no / low light.
This mixture is best sown from May to end of summer as this mix contains fescues which require temperatures of around 15 degrees and above to germinate, so check with your weather app before sowing.
All our grass seed is high-quality, providing excellent germination rates thanks to their high purity levels. We are so confident in the quality of our seeds that they are all covered by our Grass Seed Growth Guarantee.
Drag the slider below to see the difference STEADFAST: Ultra Shade could make to your garden.
Usage Guide
Sowing a new lawn with STEADFAST: Ultra Shade
● Dig the soil over to a depth of 20-25cm ● Remove weeds by hand or use a weed killer ● Add top soil if you believe the soil to be poor quality or unlevel ● Rake the area to get a level seedbed ● Allow the seedbed to cultivate for 10-14 days to encourage any weeds to come to the surface, then remove any weeds that appear by hand ● Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 50g per m2, by using a seed spreader or your hand ● Rake the seed in after sowing so that the seed is in amongst the soil ● Firm down by foot or by using a roller to improve seed to soil contact ● Water the just-sown seed well
Overseeding an existing lawn with STEADFAST: Ultra Shade
● Remove any dead grass, weeds or moss by scarifying / raking the area ● Rake the area enough so that the soil is loose and not compact ● Allow the seedbed to cultivate for 10-14 days to encourage any weeds to come to the surface, then remove any weeds that appear by hand ● Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 35g per m2, by using a seed spreader or your hand ● Rake the seed in after sowing so that the seed is in amongst the soil ● Firm down by foot or by using a roller to improve seed to soil contact ● Water the just-sown seed well
● Continue to water your lawn deeply and daily for the next six weeks, avoiding if there is prolonged rainfall ● Your lawn will take up to 6 weeks to fully establish ● Once there is an even coverage throughout the lawn and grass blades are hitting heights of 5-7cm, your lawn is ready for its first mow on the highest setting ● To keep your lawn healthy, green and disease / weed free, remember to regularly fertilise
We have been trying to grow a lawn by the side of an oak tree. It gets some sun morning and late afternoon.we have turfed it once and seeded it twice .You may well be our last hope. Leaves from the oak is part of the problem, but we do try to pick them up quickly,but not always..Can you help.Rgds Ken
Question by: ken.Potter on 8 Mar 2019, 09:32
Hi Ken,
It sounds like our STEADFAST: Ultra Shade may be the mix for you. It contains Poa Supina which is an exceptionally shade tolerant grass seed and will grow well in little light. If it doesn't grow, then it sounds like your tree may be the issue if it is taking up vital nutrients where the grass is trying to grow. I would suggest you try our SUPER STEADFAST: Ultra Shade as your 'last hope' - but 'hopefully' not!
Answer by: Anna on 8 Mar 2019, 11:42
Why not sell the ultra shade grass in smaller sizes to make it more affordable for people who have small areas of deep shade. Say 500gm and 1kg.
Question by: Martin on 3 Oct 2020, 15:54
Hi Martin
Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately we do not offer such sizes and the minimum bag size available in our domestic grass seed is 2kg. The price of our STEADFAST: Ultra Shade is reflective of how highly specialised it is, Poa Supina is known for it's ability to establish in the most shadiest of areas. The seed is all fresh so will be good for about 12 months, likely 18 in reality but the less time that passes the better!
Keep it dry and away from pest and it will be fine.
Kind Regards
Roisin
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 5 Oct 2020, 10:54
Which is the best fertiliser to go with the ultra shade grass?
Question by: Lucy on 30 Jun 2021, 14:41
Hi Lucy
Any of the fertilisers will work with the STEADFAST: Ultra Shade. If you are sowing a new lawn or over seeding an existing lawn then you might want to consider the QUICK RELEASE: Pre-Seed Fertiliser.
It provides the soil and seed with all the nutrients they need. It helps to create a great foundation for sowing new seed whilst strengthening existing grass. It will also help increase germination and establishing a strong root system. You should mow the lawn before applying it - the recommended spreading rate is 70g per m2. It is a granular fertiliser so will need to be watered in after it is applied. Once the granules are dissolved you are safe to seed.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 30 Jun 2021, 14:49
How does this grass seed performs in heavy clay gardens? I have heavy clay soil in my garden and one side is shaded due to garage wall, will it work in this area under clay soil?
Question by: K S on 6 Jul 2021, 08:48
If your lawn suffers from heavy clay soils then you might be better with our IMPRESS: Clay Master Lawn Seed. It is a specially blended grass seed mixture designed for clay and heavy clay soil conditions.
The tall fescue component has a strong deep rooting system which not only allows it to penetrate your clay soils effectively but ensures a drought tolerant lawn, especially in soils that are prone to dryness. The perennial ryegrass in this mix makes way for a fast-growing and hard-wearing lawn to thrive.
It does have some shade tolerance due to the meadow grass in the mix, but if your lawn really suffers from shade you may wish to blend it with one of our specialised shade mixtures. You can blend the IMPRESS: Clay Master with a shaded mix for those areas that don't have limited access to sunlight.
Answer by: Roisin McCann on 6 Jul 2021, 08:56
Hi,
We're looking to seed our lawn which is a mixture or shade and mostly sun, so was looking at your shade ultra and the family lawn for the hard wearing properties. But are the grass types the same, as in I don't really want a mix of grass blade thicknesses, so are they the same thickness or is one grass thin blades and on type thicker blades?
Many thanks
Question by: Ed Greig on 12 Mar 2023, 08:39
Thank you for your question.
Both of these mixes will blend nicely together. Whilst the FAMILY: Kids and Pets is made up of mostly perennial ryegrass, the remaining 20% is fescue, which will blend with the fescues in the STEADFAST: Ultra Shade.
Answer by: Roisin McCann (Admin) on 13 Mar 2023, 10:55
I am trying to reseed an area of my lawn that is shaded by mature beech trees; my soil is chalk and flint but I have gradually built up the lawn surface with top soil. What would you recommend?
Question by: Denyse Coles on 12 Apr 2023, 08:48
For shaded areas, the best options are our Steadfast: Shade and Steadfast: Ultra Shade mixes. The former is perfect for areas which receive partial shade throughout the day whilst the Ultra Shade mix is for areas that receive little to no light, often described as a blocked permanent shade. Steadfast: Ultra Shade contains a super species called Poa Supina which is exceptionally shade tolerant.
Answer by: Roisin McCann (Admin) on 20 Apr 2023, 12:43
we are sowing under an oak tree. do we need to wait for the warmer weather or should we take advantage of the sunlight the area is getting now due to the lack of leaves on the tree?
Question by: holly on 7 Apr 2023, 12:57
Hi, thank you for your question.
We would advise that the shaded mixes are sown when the weather is warmer, late spring and summer. Due to the lack of sunlight they rely heavily on the warmer temperatures to assist germination. These will be slower to establish than some of our other mixes but once grown you won't have to worry about those dark spots anymore.
Answer by: Roisin McCann (Admin) on 7 Apr 2023, 15:17
I'm looking to seed an area under a line of leylandii and so we have a combinatation of shade and dry ground - how tolerant is ultra shade of dry conditions
Question by: Jon Goldhill on 28 Apr 2023, 10:06
Hi thank you for your question. The Ultra Shade does contain fescues which can tolerate drier conditions. However, we would always recommend watering daily for the first few weeks especially when sowing in drier conditions.
Answer by: Roisin McCann (Admin) on 28 Apr 2023, 11:00
Hi, Which grass seed is best for mostly shaded areas with clay soil that floods with heavy rain?
Question by: Richard Giles on 15 May 2022, 11:58
Hi, thank you for your question!
I would recommend our IMPRESS: Clay Master Lawn Seed for this area. It is a specially blended grass seed mixture designed for clay and heavy clay soil conditions. The tall fescue component has a strong deep rooting system which not only allows it to penetrate your clay soils effectively but ensures a drought-tolerant lawn, especially in soils that are prone to dryness. The perennial ryegrass in this mix makes way for a fast-growing and hard-wearing lawn to thrive.
It does have some shade tolerance due to the meadow grass in the mix, but if your lawn really suffers from the shade, you may wish to blend it with one of our specialised shade mixtures.
If you are consistently experiencing pools of water on your lawn, you may wish to look into this with a professional.
Answer by: Helen McGale on 16 May 2022, 10:45
I have an area of lawn that is constantly in the shade and damp (after rain it’s quite soft and soggy) I have re turfed it but it just goes very thin and sparse. Could you please recommend which grass seed would work.
Kind regards
Peter
Question by: Peter Mackay on 6 Apr 2022, 16:14
HI Peter, thanks for your message. It sounds like you will need one of our shade mixes. Either STEADFAST: Shade for areas of dappled shade, or STEADFAST: Ultra Shade for areas that get little sunlight. These should be sown in warmer temperatures as they rely heavily on heat to germinate.
