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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Sun & Shade Mix
65% fine fescue shade-tolerant lawn blend that performs in sun and shade alike. Three fescue species + Ryegrass for variable light properties. USDA Zones 3-7.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
Engineered for properties with significant light variation—sunny front yards, shaded side yards, and dappled areas under mature trees. The 65% fine fescue content (Red, Chewings, and Hard Fescue) provides the shade tolerance this mix is named for, while Perennial Ryegrass handles sunny exposures and provides wear tolerance. This blend creates uniform color across sun/shade transitions, eliminating the patchy look of single-species lawns that struggle in one condition or the other.
Category
Mix
Type
Lawn Mix
Scientific Name
Multi-species blend
Zones
3-7
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
Engineered for properties with significant light variation—sunny front yards, shaded side yards, and dappled areas under mature trees. The 65% fine fescue content (Red, Chewings, and Hard Fescue) provides the shade tolerance this mix is named for, while Perennial Ryegrass handles sunny exposures and provides wear tolerance. This blend creates uniform color across sun/shade transitions, eliminating the patchy look of single-species lawns that struggle in one condition or the other.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Test pH (5.5-6.5) and prep sun/shade areas
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Rake lightly into surface and roll gently
Step 5
Water 2-3 times daily
Step 6
Mow high (3.5-4") in shaded areas
Best For
Properties with mature trees creating variable light|North-facing yards and building shade|Lawns with distinct sunny/shaded zones|Low-maintenance situations in partial shade|Transitional areas (tree line edges, building shadows)
FAQs
1.
What is in the Sun & Shade Mix?
The Sun & Shade Mix (Premier Shade & Sun) contains 25% improved red fescue, 25% chewings fescue, 25% improved perennial ryegrass, 15% improved hard fescue, and 10% annual ryegrass. The 65% fine fescue content provides shade tolerance, while perennial ryegrass handles sunny areas. The blend self-adjusts: in full sun, ryegrass dominates; in heavy shade, fine fescues carry the stand. This creates uniform color across sun/shade transitions without patchy die-off.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
The Sun & Shade Mix handles the widest light spectrum of any mix: full sun (6+ hours) down to heavy shade (2-3 hours of direct or bright filtered light). It will not survive in deep shade with zero direct sunlight. In heavy shade, increase the seeding rate by 20-25% to compensate for lower germination rates in low light. For north-facing yards and properties with dense tree canopy, this is the top-performing mix in the lineup.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
No. The Sun & Shade Mix does not contain Kentucky bluegrass, which means damaged areas will not self-repair via rhizomes. Bare spots require overseeding to fill. This is a deliberate design choice—Kentucky bluegrass needs 4-6 hours of sun and does not perform well in the heavy shade this mix is designed for. Creeping red fescue (25%) provides some lateral spread via short rhizomes, but filling speed is slower than bluegrass. Keep a bag of seed on hand for spot repair.
4.
What is the seeding rate for the Sun & Shade Mix?
Seed at 5-6 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for new lawns, or 3-4 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for overseeding. In shaded areas specifically, increase rates by 20-25% (approximately 7 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for new seedings in shade). Lower germination rates in shade mean fewer successful seedlings per pound compared to sunny conditions. Plant 0.125-0.25 inches deep. Fine fescue seeds are small and must not be buried deeply.
5.
What maintenance does the Sun & Shade Mix need?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
When is the best time to plant the Sun & Shade Mix?
Plant in late summer to early fall (August 15-September 30 in zones 4-6). Fall planting is especially important for shade mixes because fall provides the most light in deciduous shade—leaves drop in October, giving seedlings full sun during the critical establishment period before trees leaf out the following spring. Spring planting under established tree canopy reduces light during establishment and produces thinner stands. If spring planting is necessary, seed before trees fully leaf out (April).