Bare spots/get grass to grow?

[Fuddy1952]

If you injoy plants more than material (who doesn't) and don't mind extra work required for maintenance,look in nearby forest for native understory shrubs and vines you like the looks of. Tie ribbons to those you like and return during winter to transplant them. Providing you get permission first.

I have all kinds of plants in my woods I could transplant. The problem is they take over everything.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Fine fescue is best for shaded areas. Best is to put down seed and a little bit of compost over the seed and keep watered.

Ralph

Fescue. I forgot to mention that. Yes, it works. With a little compost or miracle grow I've grown fescue on a rock. Even with watering it does ok then dies out.
A local tree service was working this area and I let them dump mulch here, mostly cedar trees they ran through their shreader.
Maybe I'll just use that (I assume it wouldn't harm anything).

 

[TractorGuy]

I have bare spots near an oak tree that also has grass growing right up to the trunk all around it. I also have bare spots right in the middle of my yard nowhere near a tree. Have dumped top soil on them, seeded, and tried plugs.

I put some zoysia plugs in one spot that survived but never spread.