Turf Tips: How much sunlight does my lawn need?

With the days getting shorter moving into cooler months it’s the perfect time to talk about how much direct sunlight your lawn needs.


Why does your lawn need sunlight?

Grass is a living plant, and like most plants, it uses the process of photosynthesis to produce the food it needs for daily function. Your lawn absorbs sunlight and converts the sunlight into carbohydrates, which fuels the plant.


How does the style of grass affect the efficiency of this process?

The width of the blade of grass affect the efficiency of the variety of grass to use sunlight. The wider the leaf, the greater the ability of the variety of grass to convert the available sunlight to energy.

This means fine leafed grass varieties such as couch grass require more sunlight than wide leaf grass varieties like Sir Walter. It also means that wide leafed turf varieties can thrive where fine leafed varieties struggle.


How many hours of direct sunlight does my lawn need?

At Jimboomba Turf, we currently sell two varieties of turf, Nullarbor Couch and Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo. Nullarbor Couch is a classic fine leaf couch, and Sir Walter is a wide leafed buffalo grass.

Research from the University of Hawaii states that couch requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Lawn Solutions Australia states that Sir Walter DNA Certified can thrive with as little as 2-3 hours of direct sunlight daily.


How can I ensure my lawn gets the sunlight it needs?

The first thing you can do is ensure you use the right lawn variety for your conditions. To learn more about selecting the right lawn see our article on “Fit for Purpose” turf.

For existing lawns, it’s important to trim back overhanging trees, regularly move trampolines etc. and consider the shade that any renovations will create.


To get more advice call our team on (07) 3114 8281. You can also to pop in and order in person at our sales office on 1/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge. The office opens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm.

For more great lawn care tips keep an eye on our website and all our social media channels.

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