Coping with shade Department of Horticulture Coping with shade Lawn care What to do when there's not enough sun.
Grasses are sun-loving plants, for the most part.
For healthy growth, lawn grasses need at least 4 hours of direct sun a day. If they receive much traffic or wear and tear, they need a minimum of 6 hours. In addition to being weak from lack of sun, grass in shady areas can suffer more diseases because of cool, moist conditions and lack of air circulation. Poor grass stands in shady areas are vulnerable to erosion, which can carry sediments and other pollutants into surface water. In spots that get marginal light, plant fine fescues, which are more shade-tolerant than other lawn grasses.