The Importance of Shade When Choosing Your Turf

Shaded garden basking in sunshine

Having a well-shaded area provides your garden with much-needed protection from the sun. Quality sun protection is a blessing for some grasses as they don’t require much sunlight. These varieties of grass are perfect for anyone whose garden is quite shaded.

Grasses That Loves Shade

The rule of turf is that all grass needs sunlight, and the same thing applies to the shade-loving varieties we’ll discuss today.

The difference is that some grasses need less light than others, meaning they grow stronger and healthier with some shade. If your lawn tends to dry out or struggles to grow in summer, consider new grass. Not only will it thrive in the shade, but the kerb appeal will have your neighbours taking notice. There are two varieties of grass that love the shade.

Empire Zoysia

Empire Zoysia is a beautiful, fine blade of grass. It is dark green in colour and it offers a soft feel underfoot. Empire Zoysia is also one of the most drought-tolerant grasses in the world. Because it has a deep root system, it doesn’t need to be watered and fertilised constantly. It is the ideal lawn for a leafy suburban garden because it’s soft to the touch and it can tolerate extreme heat and cold. Empire Zoysia turf is also the first choice for anyone wanting an eco-friendly garden on the Sunshine Coast.

When it comes to shade, this grass can sit in it all day. On average, it only needs 4-5 hours of direct sunlight a day to maintain its health.

Sir Walter Buffalo Grass

There is only one word to describe this grass – glorious!

Sir Walter has a thick and vigorous root system that allows it to soak up moisture in the soil. While it is a little more expensive than some of its counterparts, the investment is worthwhile. Hard-wearing and vibrant in colour, it is perfect for anyone looking to add value to their home. Sir Walter grass has been proven to reduce heat around your home. It absorbs carbon dioxide, produces oxygen and works as a filter for our waterways. In fact, Sir Walter grass is an average of 10 degrees cooler than bare soil in the summertime.

The fact that it only needs 2-3 hours of direct sunlight a day proves its superiority over cheaper blades. If you’ve got a shady garden with reduced access to sunlight, look no further than Sir Walter.

Maintaining Your Lawn

Spending money on the right lawn is only part of the equation. All that will be for nothing if you don’t take care of it. You don’t have to spend hours in the garden each weekend, just remember to:

  • Mow it regularly
  • Water every few days (in summer)
  • Keep it free from weeds
  • Aerate it at least once a month

Glenview Turf is the experienced lawn installation and maintenance team on the Sunshine Coast. If your lawn is lacking personality, get in touch with our experts. We’ll happily discuss which grass is best for your lawn.