Do you have issues with your lawn?

Most people do, and it is usually due to the idea that a lawn, or grass, does not need any help to look its best.

This is, of course, not the case. Grass is a plant and, like most plants growing in your garden, you will need to take care of it for it to look its greenest and its healthiest. Maintaining a healthy lawn can be challenging, but here, you will be walked through some of the most common issues and learn how to handle them to keep your lawn looking lush.

Weeds

Lawns are prone to being hotbeds for weeds to grow, with dandelions being the most popular culprit, as well as crabgrass and clover. Why are these problems? They compete with the grass for water, nutrients from the soil, and sunlight.

You can prevent weeds by maintaining a healthy lawn, which is one that is thick and can crowd out weeds. Look into zero turn mowers for sale to help you keep the grass cut to a set length, which will help to prevent the grass from being overtaken by emergent weeds. It is also worth applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent seeds of weeds like dandelions from germinating.

Bare Spots

Bare spots in a lawn can be due to heavy foot traffic, poor soil conditions, or even pet urine. Such spots look unattractive and create openings for those pesky weeds to take hold.

You can treat bare patches by reseeding the grass with a matching species of plant and covering the area with straw or mulch to retain moisture. If the issue is due to foot traffic, it can be worth putting in a path, as this will (hopefully) prevent any more damage to the area. If the issue is related to pet urine, then it may be worth training your pet to urinate in one part of the garden.

Thatch Buildup

Thatch is the name for a layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic matter that can build up between the soil and the grass blades. It can block water and prevent nutrients from getting into the soil.

You can get rid of thatch using a dethatching rake or even a mechanical dethatcher. It can also be worth adding compost or organic material to the space to help break it down naturally.

Lawn Diseases

Lawns are prone to many issues, such as brown patch, dollar spot, or even powdery mildew, which can cause dark patches and even bald spots on the lawn.

It is important to identify the disease in the lawn and to apply a fungicide as needed. Adjust when you water your lawn to prevent overwatering and also avoid mowing wet grass, as this can spread infections and fungal spores.

Pests

Nobody wants pests on their lawn. Common culprits like grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms can damage grass by damaging the blades and eating the roots.

It is worth inspecting your lawn for signs of pests, such as grass that is wilting or doesn’t improve after it has been watered. Try to apply appropriate insecticides or, if you want a natural solution, apply nematodes.