5 Tips To Revive A Dying Lawn

Posted on: 18 May 2021

A dying lawn can be frustrating, especially if you aren't sure what is causing the problem. The following provides tactics that may save your lawn and make it beautiful again.

1. Dethatch and Rake

Lawns often begin to die out because they are being smothered by the thatch layer on top of the soil, which is mainly made up of dead grass leaves. Dethatching and raking up this layer allows moisture and nutrients to once against penetrate the soil so that the grass can grow properly. Plan to have your lawn dethatched every one to two years, or when the thatch layer is more than 1/4 inch thick.

2. Aerate 

Soil compacts over time due to irrigation, walking on the lawn, and even mowing. When this happens, moisture and air can't penetrate deeply, and the grass roots have trouble growing well. Aeration removes small cores of soil, which loosens the ground so that it can breathe and absorb moisture well. Aeration is typically done once a year, although every two years is acceptable if you have good soil with minimal clay content.

3. Test the Soil

Your grass may be dying because there aren't enough nutrients in the ground for it to thrive. A soil test is necessary to determine which nutrients are lacking. You can purchase DIY test kits, or you can take a soil sample to a local testing lab for a more in-depth test. Usually, the culprit is a lack of nitrogen, but phosphorous, potassium, or another trace mineral may also be lacking. Once you have the results, you can determine what type of fertilizer to use and how much to apply to address any nutrient shortages.

4. Overseed 

One of the problems with grass dieback is that you may be able to stop it but the lawn will need some help to recover if you don't want weeds to take over. Overseeding with a grass suitable to your climate and the amount of sun received in that section of the yard can help the lawn recover its former lush appearance.

5. Monitor Moisture

Once the lawn begins to recover, make sure it is getting enough water. Drought is a major issue of grass dieback. You can use a moisture meter, which is simply inserted into the soil, to monitor when irrigation is necessary. There are even automatic meters that attach to the sprinkler system. These meters trigger the system when moisture levels are low.

Contact a local service if you need help reviving your landscaping.

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