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The front lawn at my new house is in the shade and now seems to be mostly moss and soil rather than actual grass. How can I fix this I am thinking water would be a good start but probably need some grass seed too?
Thanks Penny
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @pennyelson. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about reviving a lawn.
It looks like you're dealing with a tricky lawn area, but with some effort, you can definitely improve it. First, you should assess how much sunlight the area receives. If it's in constant shade or only gets a few hours of direct sunlight, grass might struggle to grow. In such cases, it's important to consider whether the grass you’re trying to grow is suited to these conditions. Shade-tolerant grasses like fescue or certain types of ryegrass are better options for low-light areas, but if the lawn is very shady, grass may not thrive at all. In that case, you might want to think about alternatives like paving or gravel, which would create a stylish, low-maintenance space for seating or entertaining.
The compacted soil will need attention if you're still keen on improving the grass. Compacted soil makes it difficult for grass roots to grow and absorb water and nutrients. Start by aerating the soil — you can use a garden fork to poke holes into the ground, which will help break up the compacted soil. Once aerated, consider adding some fresh topsoil to improve the soil structure and provide a better base for your new grass. Afterward, you can re-seed the area with grass that is suitable for shade (if the area gets enough sunlight), or even lay down fresh Buffalo turf if you prefer a quicker result. Just be sure to water regularly to help the new seeds establish themselves.
Here are a couple of helpful guides: How to grow grass from seed and How to lay turf.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Thanks so MitchellMc, we definitely want to try and stick with grass if we can. i have seen pictures of the house previously with a full lush lawn, so I am not sure what has happened to all of the lovely grass 
I certainly have plenty of things to try to improve the situation. if I can't get the lawn to revive following the aerating, topsoil and seeding, I will have a look at a turfing opition. Thanks so much
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