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Finding it hard to grow lawn in your shaded backyard? Or maybe you’re thinking about laying turf but don’t want to waste money on instant lawn that will wilt and die…
You’re not alone. Between short southern winter days, smaller backyards shaded by homes and fences, and tall buildings casting shade in inner Melbourne, the more sun-loving grasses simply aren’t on the menu for many Victorian lawn connoisseurs.
But don’t despair. While all grass needs some direct sun to survive, certain shade-tolerant grass types are well-suited to growing with less of it. You don’t need to give up on your dream of a deep green lawn; you just need the best turf variety for your shaded site and the right lawn care strategy.
Can Grass Grow in Shade?
Yes, grass can grow in a mix of sun and shade, but the answer to “How much shade is too much shade?” can vary, depending on:
- The grass type
- The amount and type of shade vs sunlight your yard is getting (direct vs indirect sunlight, full shade vs dappled shade)
- The level of lawn care provided
Most grasses will need between 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to survive. For shade-tolerant turf varieties, this sunlight quota can be met with dappled sunlight on top of a healthy lawn care regime.
What is the Best Grass for Partial Shade?
No turf type can grow without some direct sunlight. However, several shade-tolerant varieties have been bred for stronger performance in lower light environments. Here are our top picks for shade-tolerant grass types that can thrive in a lower-light garden:
Sir Walter DNA-Certified Buffalo Grass
The Champion of Partial Sun
As a buffalo grass, Sir Walter Buffalo has broad leaf blades, optimised to capture all available light. This enables Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo to perform well with a minimum of 3 hours of daily sun, making it the best shade-tolerant grass variety on the market. It’s also highly durable and low-maintenance year-round. No wonder it’s the favourite turf for home lawns around Melbourne and Victoria!
Other Options for Shade-Tolerant Lawns
Sir Grange Zoysia Grass
Sir Grange is prized among Zoysias for its low maintenance needs and high shade tolerance. Once established, it requires just 4 hours of direct or filtered sunlight per day, making it an ideal showpiece lawn turf for shaded areas without heavy foot traffic.
TifTuf Bermuda Turf
TifTuf Bermuda is a couch grass, part of a family of warm season grasses often requiring a lot of sun. But through the hard work and smarts of some of the world’s leading turf scientists, TifTuf has been bred for excellent shade tolerance compared to other couch grasses, getting by on as little as 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. It’s also high-wear and drought-tolerant, making it an all-round durable option for lightly shaded areas.
Lawn Care Tips for Shaded Lawns
Growing grass in shady areas can make it hard to achieve the full, lush-looking lawn that you want – yet it is possible. Aside from choosing a shade-resistant turf variety, you can give your shady lawn a better chance of survival with proper maintenance and care.
Install During the Warmer Months
Laying new turf in the spring and lead-in to the summer months gives it the best chance to establish strong roots before the colder seasons roll in. In a shady spot, this is especially important. During winter, the lower angle of the sun means fences, buildings, or dense plants may block out even more sunlight. Especially in cooler climates, establishing your lawn while temperatures are warmer and light levels are higher ensures it’s better equipped to handle reduced sun exposure later.
Watering Less Frequently
As a rule of thumb, when the temperature decreases so should your watering frequency. Since shady areas aren’t getting a lot of sunlight or warmth, the same principle should apply when it comes to watering grass in shade. It’s best to water only when necessary and to water deeply. Depending on environmental conditions, winter rainfall should be enough to water your lawn over the cooler months.
Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Removing low hanging branches and limbs from trees and shrubs can allow more sunlight to reach the grass and soil beneath. When pruning your trees or shrubs, try to open up the canopy in order to maximise the amount of sunlight coming through.
Adjusting Mowing Height
In shade, mow at the highest height possible for your lawn type and avoid overly frequent mowing. This will give your grass the best chance to absorb sunlight and to protect it from environmental stressors like cold and frost. You can try alternating mowing directions every time you mow, and always remember to never cut more than ⅓ of the leaf off at a time.
Fertilising
Grasses in shady areas will need extra nutrients to make up for the lack of sunlight. A high-quality lawn fertiliser rich in nitrogen can be applied in early spring and autumn to give your sun-deprived lawn an extra boost. Products like Seasol and Oxafert are also helpful to use on shady lawns, as they will give your lawn added protection over the colder months and control any invasive weeds that can choke your grass and prevent it from getting the sun and oxygen needed to grow.
Weeds
Shady lawns often have thinner, slower-growing turf, giving weeds a window of opportunity. Common culprits such as oxalis and clover thrive in shaded, damp conditions. Keeping the lawn thick and healthy through proper feeding, mowing, and pruning helps crowd out unwanted plants. If weeds do appear, tackle them early with hand removal or targeted herbicide.
Aeration and Soil Health
Shaded lawns can struggle with soggy, compacted soil that can hamper root development. Aerating your lawn once a year (poking small holes through the soil) helps loosen things up and gives water, air and nutrients a better chance to soak in. If the soil feels heavy or sticky, mixing in some organic matter can also help improve the structure and make it easier for grass to thrive.
Avoiding Foot Traffic
Shady lawns and high-wear areas don’t play well together. Even turf varieties typically highly resistant to high traffic will struggle with wear and tear when getting less sun. If possible, install pavers within turfed areas or consider switching your walking route every couple of months to keep foot traffic to a minimum.
How Many Hours of Direct Sunlight do I Need for Growing Grass?
Even shade-tolerant grasses need some full sun each day to be at their best. Extremely limited sunlight (anything less than 3 hours a day) can translate to limited potential. Think wispy, slow-growing grass, lacking that deep green colour associated with a healthy lawn.
If your planned lawn site has very heavy shade (less than 3 hours of sunlight a day), you will likely struggle to grow a traditional turf lawn and may want to consider an alternative ground cover.
Speak to a Turf Specialist
If your backyard or outdoor space is more shady than it is sunny, you need to choose a shade-tolerant turf variety such as Sir Walter DNA Certified for best results.
For help on choosing the best lawn variety for your area, get in touch with one of our friendly turf specialists today.
Check out our lawn care blog for more helpful tips and advice.
