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Gday, we are in north west Melbourne- am I destined to have bad lawn because of the trees? What kind of grass do I have? Thanks
Thanks
Hello @stuartheth
The lawn in your photo seems to struggle with patchy growth, likely due to the shade from the trees. The grass type appears to be one of the common warm-season varieties in Melbourne, such as Kikuyu, Couch, or Buffalo. These grasses thrive in full sun but often thin out in shaded areas. While the trees make it more challenging, you’re not destined for a bad lawn—there are ways to improve its health and appearance.
If the grass is Kikuyu or Couch, they require more sunlight and will naturally struggle under the dense shade. To address this, you could overseed the shaded areas with a shade-tolerant variety, such as Tall Fescue or a shade-specific blend, which you can find at the store. These grasses are better suited to low-light conditions. Pruning the trees can also help by allowing more sunlight to filter through, though be careful not to over-prune and stress the trees.
Improving the soil’s health is another key step. It’s a good idea to test your soil's pH and nutrient levels using a soil testing kit, such as the Manutec Soil pH Test Kit from Bunnings. If the soil is compacted, aerate it with a garden fork or mechanical aerator and top-dress it with a mix of sand and compost to encourage root growth. Watering deeply but less frequently will help the grass roots grow stronger, and applying a slow-release fertiliser like Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose Fertiliser will provide essential nutrients to the lawn.
Lawns under trees also compete with tree roots for water and nutrients. If the shaded areas are too dense for grass to grow successfully, you might consider alternatives such as applying mulch, planting ground covers like Dichondra, or turning those sections into low-maintenance garden beds.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
