Figure A Figure B Ron Boylan of the Scotts Company gives tips on growing a lawn in shady spots.
All grasses prefer sun, although some tolerate shade better than others.
To help encourage grass to grow better in shade, thin out large shrubs and trees to permit more sunlight to reach the grass. It's difficult to establish a healthy lawn in soil compacted from too much traffic or years of mowing. Plant the seed in well-prepared soil, using a drop spreader so that the seed is applied evenly over the surface of the soil. Fertilizer is another important consideration for establishing a new lawn in the shade. You may need to water as often as five times a day for the first week or until the seed germinates and roots develop.