Are you frustrated with seeing the worn-out, spotty, and discolored appearance of your lawn? After all the recommended techniques available online, including recommendations on watering, fertilizing, and positive affirmations, you still see these glaring spots on your lawn.
While it may seem unusual, these bare patches are typically caused by underlying factors such as compacted soil, lack of nutrient content, or selection of the wrong grass species for your specific local conditions.
Fortunately, with proper care, sufficient time, and an understanding of the steps involved to grow your lawn as healthy as possible, there is hope. The sooner you begin this process, the better chance you have of producing an abundant and healthy lawn that continues to thrive for years to come!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Healthy soil is what makes a lawn successful.
- Aeration helps to relieve compaction and therefore, provides roots with water and nutrients.
- Using compost improves the texture of your soil and supports beneficial microbial activity in the soil.
- You must select the appropriate seed type for your climate to ensure proper growth.
Fix the Soil
If your lawn continues struggling, begin with the soil. To successfully grow grass, the environment is equally important, and compacted or hard ground with a lack of nutrients and organic matter will not be suited to grass growth. There is a quick way to test this. Simply take a screwdriver and push it into the soil. If you have to use all your strength or the tip of your screwdriver to move it down into the ground on your property, then the soil must be very hard to penetrate.
Aerating the soil is necessary in this case. Drilling tiny holes into the surface of your soil will allow air, moisture, and minerals to reach the root systems of the plants growing in it. This will help the soil.
Next up, you need to look at the soil’s health. Heavy clay often holds too much water, while sandy soil will drain too fast. In this instance, adding compost will help because not only is the compost a nutrient source for beneficial microorganisms, but it will also improve the quantity of nutrient supply to plants growing in your garden.
It will also break down the hard ground in your area. It brings your lawn back to life.
Prepare for New Seed
Once the soil is ready, it’s time to prep for seeding. Start by removing any dead grass or debris. A blank piece of slate, on the surface of your property, allows new grass seeds to make direct contact with the moist surface of the ground, and is essential for germination.
A loose top layer is needed, though, so rake the area lightly at this stage. Seeds will then settle in the small grooves and stay put instead of blowing away.
Consider the season when selecting the appropriate type of grass seed. In northern areas, cool-season grasses, like bluegrass, will perform better than warm-season grasses. Alternatively, Bermuda and other warm-season varieties prefer hotter climates.
All grass seed packaging includes information about the name of the type of grass seed and what type of conditions are best for growing each variety of grass seed.
Water and Feed Correctly
Consistent moisture is necessary for new seed. Finding a balance is crucial – not too much, not too little. Lightly watering your seeds or seedlings on a daily basis, only once or twice each day until your seedlings reach about an inch or two in height, will provide sufficient moisture.
After that, less frequent watering is best. This will encourage strong roots.
Feeding matters, too. Starter fertilizer is good. This provides new grass the nutrients needed to establish quickly. It is not advantageous to use weed-and-feed products because they hinder or stop your seedlings from growing well or as quickly. The best practice is to switch to using a balanced fertilizer program as your lawn grows.
Consider an Alternative
Unfortunately, not all grass will work. In this case, the best fix isn’t grass at all.
If you are in deep shade, or if you live in an area where your yard gets hot, you may want to consider using an alternative, such as clover, creeping jenny, or thyme. They create a soft, green look with far less effort than grass.
Other alternatives include mulch beds, stone pathways, or even artificial turf. When done professionally, creeping thyme will give the appearance of a natural lawn. If you prefer this option, then seeking the assistance from an artificial turf company, such as Magnolia Turf Co, is advised.
To conclude, take it as a clue when your lawn refuses to grow. You just need to find the right approach. Thankfully, applying the advice outlined above, your yard will look good and work for your environment.
How do I know if my soil is compacted?
When you have a screwdriver that will not push in easily, it is a sign that the soil is compacted and should be aerated.
How frequently do I have to water newly seeded grasses?
To keep constant surface moisture, you should water twice daily until your seedlings develop multiple inches of height.
What advantage does compost offer soil?
Compost creates a better structure in the soil; therefore, clay soils will allow for better drainage, and sandy soils will retain adequate water content, while at the same time, providing additional nutrients to the soil.
Why shouldn’t I apply ‘weed-and-feed’ to newly seeded grasses?
The herbicides found in these products can hinder or significantly slow the development of new grass seedlings.
