Thin, patchy grass in the shade usually isn’t your fault. It’s probably the wrong grass.
If you’ve got a yard with big trees, tall fences or a house that blocks the afternoon sun, you’ve probably battled a lawn that’s thin, patchy or just never quite fills in. You’ve tried seed, fertiliser, maybe even re-turfing, and it still looks tired.
Here’s the good news: spring is a great time to fix it, and the solution is often simply choosing a grass that’s built for shade.
Why lawns struggle in shade
Grass needs sunlight to make energy. Under trees and beside walls, many varieties just don’t get enough light to stay thick and healthy. Add competition from tree roots for water and nutrients, and it’s a tough spot for any lawn.
Warm-season grasses are fussy about light, and some are far more shade tolerant than others. Couch, for example, wants plenty of full sun, so it’s not the one for a shady spot.
The shade-tolerant options
Sapphire® Soft Leaf Buffalo: our shadiest option. Sapphire is the only finer-textured buffalo in the world, with shade tolerance of up to 70%. It has a luscious deep-green colour with a tinge of blue, so it looks great as well as handling the gloom.
Empire Zoysia™: the “Dream Lawn.” With around 50% shade tolerance, Empire is a premium, finer-bladed grass that grows slowly, which means less mowing. If your yard has a mix of sun and shade and you want a really beautiful finish, it’s well worth a look.
Sir Walter Buffalo Grass®: the shade-friendly all-rounder. Sir Walter has incredible shade tolerance and only needs 2 to 3 hours of full sun a day. Soft underfoot with a broad, deep-green leaf, it’s a favourite for family backyards.
Tips for turfing under trees
Check how much sun you actually get. Watch the spot at different times of day. Even a couple of hours of direct light can make a difference.
Prune where you can. Lifting the canopy lets more light through.
Prepare the soil well. Clear debris, level the area and add soil conditioner or sandy loam. Take care around tree roots.
Water thoughtfully. Trees compete for moisture, so keep new turf consistently moist while it establishes.
Lay and look after it properly. Lay on delivery day, stagger the joins and keep the turf moist until it has rooted.
Not sure what your shade can handle?
Tell our Lawn Experts about your yard. They’ll ask a few questions about sunlight and how you use the space, then give you a professional recommendation.
Call 07 5541 7000 (Boyland) or 07 5494 5616 (Glenview), or request a quote at alcturf.com.au.