I've got a big dirt patch in my new back yard. The previous owners were horrible to it. I'm trying to figure out what to plant that would grow well in shade. I've got a huge tree in the back yard and get very limited sun. I'm going to get it pruned way back, but it won't make a huge difference.

I live in South Texas, so it's very hot most of the year.

I've also got two dogs that love to run and play, so it'd need to be fairly tough.

I've thought about clover, but am looking for ANY other options. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Further North here I would go with perennial rye. It is shade tolerant and grows very well. If I hadn't wasted all summer at AskMe, I might of gotten some planted under my huge Osage Orange tree. There is also tall fescue. It grows like a weed, but I think it looks like one too. Not sure it does well in the shade. Fertilize heavily. After a landscaping project, I noticed a straight line dividing the light and dark green grass under a tree. Finally, I realized the line was right where I cut all the tree roots taking out a culvert. The grass on the far side without tree roots, was thriving.

Bermuda grass is tough and drought resistant, but I am not sure it does well in the shade.

If nobody farther South answers here, maybe talk to a hardware or lawn and garden. You might or might not get good answers at places such as Lowe's and Home Depot.

Hi,
Here is a link for some common lawn grasses grown in Texas. Tall Fescue is one for shade, and there are others.

http://www.texasgrown.com/pages/articles/lawngrass.htm

If you have any kind of local Agricultural Co-Op, call them. They could also give you some suggestions.