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Hi there,
about to turf my back garden of our new build and have now realised that there will be no sun in winter for half the garden. Will the grass survive winter? Is it stupid to contemplate laying turf? Is artificial a good option? Wanted a nice area for my little boy to kick a ball so didn’t want anymore concrete. Any ideas or advice appreciated.
Hello @bow2021
Thanks for sharing your question about laying turf in your backyard.
Laying turf in a backyard with no sun for half the year is tricky but not necessarily a bad idea it just depends on the grass type and your expectations. Most warm-season turfs like Kikuyu, Couch, and even Buffalo struggle with prolonged shade, becoming sparse and patchy over time. Buffalo (Sir Walter or similar) is your best bet if you want real grass, as it’s the most shade-tolerant warm-season variety. However, even Buffalo can thin out in deep shade, and you might need to overseed with a cool-season ryegrass in autumn to keep some coverage.
If you’re worried about maintenance and patchy regrowth, a hybrid approach—half real turf in the sunnier areas and half artificial turf in the shady spots—could be a practical compromise. This way, your little boy still gets a soft, playable surface year-round without the risk of muddy, dead patches in winter. Artificial turf has its downsides (heat in summer, potential odour buildup if not installed properly), but if installed with good drainage and infill, it can be a decent low-maintenance option for shaded areas.
Since you want to avoid more concrete, consider a mix of real turf, artificial turf, and possibly some stepping stones or mulch pathways to break it up naturally. If you go with real turf, improving the soil with compost and gypsum before laying it will give it the best chance of surviving in winter shade.
Here are some handy step-by-step guides:
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
