Posted on January 4, 2024 by Lawn Doctor
Many homeowners take a huge amount of pride in doing everything possible to get a healthy green lawn that’s the talk of the neighborhood for all the right reasons. Unfortunately, having that green lawn might not come easy. Depending on the condition, it may require significant effort and some professional assistance. Lawn Doctor’s team is ready to help you get the green grass you desire and understand the reasoning for its current not-so-vibrant condition.
The first step in starting the process of getting a green lawn is figuring out the problem(s) that are interfering with that. Understanding the cause can not only allow you to combat the issue but prevent it from recurring in the future.
Some think an overabundance of water will lead to incredibly green and healthy grass. However, too much of it can do more harm than good. While your lawn needs a regular watering schedule, it’s essential to regulate how much it’s getting, which is particularly important if there’s inclement weather in the forecast.
Too much water, regardless of its source, essentially drowns your grass and its roots. It can’t get the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen required and can eventually die. This can particularly be the case where water is pooling on the lawn.
Proper drainage and irrigation for your lawn is a must for healthy green grass. Lawn Doctor experts can evaluate the appearance and condition of the lawn to see if aeration and/or another method is beneficial for giving it a boost.
Applying an overabundance of fertilizer won’t do your lawn any favors. It could actually result in what’s known as “fertilizer burn.” This unpleasant term refers to the unfavorable burn-type appearance of your lawn where it’s brown or yellow.
Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen compose a perfect blend that makes up lawn fertilizer, and the instructions on the packaging dictate exactly how much you or your landscaper are supposed to apply. Use too much, and fertilizer burn can happen.
However, the type of fertilizer you use is also vital. For instance, if you have Kentucky Bluegrass, it’s ideal to use fertilizer specifically for that type of grass. The Lawn Doctor team members will have no problem identifying the type of grass, coming up with a plan that’s specific to your yard and using the best fertilizer for high-quality results.
Weed control requires a customized plan of attack. So many factors are at play, ranging from the type of weed to how many there are. The plan needs to involve eliminating the weeds without damaging your grass in the process. One mistake many homeowners make is using certain weed killers that extinguish the weeds but leave dead brown patches behind. In some cases, there’s no killing the weed with an easy spraying. It may require getting them out by the roots.
The best option when weeds have taken over your yard is to call Lawn Doctor. Our professionals have come across multiple types of weeds that infiltrated lawns, garden beds and everything in between, so we know what strategies work best for effective weed removal.
Insects like grubs and chinch bugs can contribute to your grass not being in the best shape. In some cases, you may not even be able to see what pests are causing problems. However, we know exactly what to look out for to indicate what insects are hiding in the grass and what to do to get rid of them.
There’s an art to grass mowing. When it’s the best time to mow depends on several factors, including when it last rained. Calling a local landscaper to handle the task for you could be beneficial for ensuring it’s done perfectly where the grass won’t dry out and result in potential short-term and long-term problems.
Some pet parents let their dog or cat outside to go to the bathroom, not realizing that the urine can severely damage the grass and cause brown patches. If you want your pets to continue to go to the bathroom in your yard, one of the best options is establishing a specific bathroom space. Make it in an area that won’t interfere with the overall look of your yard, such as in the backyard in a corner.
Brown lawns aren’t necessarily dead lawns. Some owners make the mistake of thinking that dormant grass is dead grass, but the two are different even though they typically look alike. Dormant grass is when the plant uses a protective mechanism to survive through hot summer months or brutally cold winters. It looks dead on the top, but the roots are still going strong.
A visual indication that it’s dormant and not dead is to evaluate how widespread the issue is. The grass is likely dead if there are brown patches, but if the brownish or yellowish hue extends over a wide area, it’s probably dormant.
There’s also a physical way to check. Dead grass permits easy removal, while dormant grass doesn’t, so if you pull on it and it takes little to no effort to remove it from the ground, it’s dead.
Proper lawn care and TLC are the ideal ways to perk up dormant grass. This means sticking to a regular watering schedule specific to your lawn’s condition. You also want to make sure to give it the proper fertilizer and in the correct amounts. The more you can leave it alone, the better. This means not driving over it, playing on it, walking on it or letting the pets on it. If you’re unsure where to begin, Lawn Doctor’s experts can help you develop a tailored plan specific to your lawn.
There are several steps you can take if you want to help get your dead grass green once again. Removing the weeds and dead grass spots, followed by lawn aeration, should be your first three steps as a way to prepare your grass. Next comes planting grass seed in the areas where the grass died and ensuring the area is properly fertilized so it gets essential nutrients. Set a watering schedule, and just like with dormant grass, avoid having people, animals or machinery go over it. However, you should still mow it.
A multitude of factors are involved when you’re trying to get your lawn in prime condition, and often, professional guidance can be the key to getting you there. Call Lawn Doctor when you need assistance having an enviable green and healthy lawn. We’ll work with you to determine the causes of the issues and what can be done to revitalize your yard and make it look beautiful again.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
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