How to Start Save a Dying Lawn

How to Start Saving a Dying Lawn

Are you devastated because your lawn is in a state of dying? Don’t lose all hope. There are things that can be done to revive and bring back your outdoor space’s lush, green glory. Stop putting up with a lousy-looking lawn and start nursing it back to vibrant life. Here’s how you can renew your turf and turn it into something that you can surely be proud of.  

1. Determine the extent of the damage

Having a brown lawn doesn’t always mean the turf is dead. Depending on the type of grass you have, a local lawn mowing expert can give you professional advice on your turf’s condition. If a half or more of your lawn looks alive, chances are, you can still revive it, so it’s best to get an early start.  

2. Check for weeds

Before you even begin feeding your lawn, it’s important to check for weeds or you may end up unnecessarily feeding them, too. A small lawn can be easily hand-weeded, but for larger ones, using herbicide that kills weeds, but not the grass, may be easier for you (remember to ask the professionals).  

3. De-thatch

Over time, a lawn becomes spongy when a layer of dead grass known as “thatch” develops at the base of your grass. Thatch prevents air and water from getting through to the grass roots, so remove them before putting in any fertilizer. Go over the entire length of your lawn and use a metal-tined rake to get rid of thatch. As you pull your rake in long, even strokes, press down firmly to remove as much thatch as you can. The result of your efforts is a clean lawn, ready for feeding and aerating.  

4. Cut the grass

Slice through grass roots using a sod cutter to create long strips of loose turf. A sod cutting machine is quite hard to handle, so make sure your runs are parallel to the longest edge of your lawn. Cut as much grass as you can and use a spade or rotary hoe for difficult spots near your house.  

5. Remove the grass

Split the long strips of sod into about 1 m-long sections using a spade. Gather them inside a wheelbarrow and place on a compost pile. Separate the healthy sections of grass; you can still use them to patch bare spots in your yard.  

6. Plow the soil

Using a rotary tiller, work loose the 5-10 cm of topsoil. For sandy soil, make use of a mid-tine tiller that has rear-mounted wheels. For a heavily compact soil, a rear-tine tiller is a great choice. Make sure that you follow a similar path as the sod cutter in order to minimize turns. A single pass should be enough.  

7. Spread the compost

Have enough compost that will cover your yard 7.62 cm deep. When you order compost, have the load placed as close to the site on your lawn as possible. Then, distribute the compost using a wheelbarrow. For heft clay soils, spread 2.54 cm of sand along with your compost for better drainage. Right after that, use a tiller to blend it in.  

8. Do soil grading

With the use of a grading rake, smooth your lawn and mix the compost and alterations into the top 5 cm of soil until there are no lumps. Begin by holding the rake’s handle close to the ground so that its teeth can pull and blend more efficiently. To rake the soil smooth, hold the handle higher. Make short strokes to avoid back pains and fatigue while reviving your lawn.  

9. Spread the seed

Add the right amount of nutrients using a spreader, then spread fresh seed using a spreader set at the widest opening. Overlap every pass by a few shuffles and swish seeds into your soil using the rear of a leaf rake. End by watering your seeds well and make sure to do it daily until you see seeds sprout. Nobody likes to have a dead lawn in their property. In some cases, the cause of this unfortunate circumstance is pest infestation. Make sure you know how to choose a pest controller carefully to eliminate bugs from your newly revived lawn. For more common causes, your local lawn care professionals can share plenty of insights into the best possible solutions. Before you give up on your lawn, do all you can to revive it to avoid spending on a new turf.   Article Submitted by Rodney Foster, [email protected]

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