Tackle Patchy Areas
Patchy spots in your grass ruin the pristine look of a healthy lawn. Whether you have brown patches or bare spots, it’s something that can be fixed. Before you can get rid of the patches you need to try to figure out why they are happening in the first place:
Problem: Lack of Sunlight
Solution: Prune Trees
The easiest fix is making sure your grass is getting enough sunlight. Even the most shade-tolerant grasses need at least three to four hours of direct sunlight a day. If the patchy areas are constantly covered in shade, see if there is a tree or bush in your yard you can prune to let in more sunlight.
Problem: Poor Circulation
Solution: Dethatch and Aerate
If sunlight isn’t your issue, your grass could be deprived of circulation. Compacted soil and layers of dead grass is called thatch and it can suffocate healthy grass and stop new blades from sprouting because it makes it hard for water and nutrients to reach the grass’s roots. Use a garden rake, or a special thatching rake, to remove the thatch between the healthy grass and the soil.
Aerating your yard pokes small holes in your soil so water absorbs down to the roots instead of sitting on top of the grass. You can purchase or rent an aerator, but it’s not something you’ll have to do often. Once a year aeration is sufficient for a yard that gets normal foot traffic.
Get the instant gratification of sod, ideal if you have a backyard party coming up, or you can fill in patches with grass seed. Grass seed can thicken your entire lawn or handle small patches. Sod takes about two weeks to root itself versus seed taking about two months before it’s long enough to mow.
Figure out which type of grass grows in your area. The main types of grass are fescue, Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine and ryegrass. Seed the bare areas in your lawn on a warm, sunny morning since the seed needs 12-16 hours of sun to begin sprouting. Use a spreader to get even distribution. A new spreader also comes in handy later when you add lawn fertilizer to your new grass. Cover the new patches of grass seed with hay or mulch to protect the seeds from being washed away or eaten by birds. Avoid mowing until the grass is 3.5-4” tall.
Water the Grass
Constant watering is a non-negotiable if you want a lush and healthy lawn. It’s recommended that you water new grass seed and sod twice a day for two weeks, preferably in the early morning so the water can reach the roots before evaporating. Then you can switch to daily watering. Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget. Even one hot day without water is enough to undo all your hard work.
Grab a new garden hose and an oscillating lawn sprinkler to make it easy to water your growing grass. Many lawn sprinklers come with an adjustable spray range so you can get every inch of your grass watered.
If you choose to water by hand, go with a hose nozzle attachment with adjustable stream features so you can find a setting that’s gentle enough for new seedlings but has a stronger spray option for established portions of your yard.
Check Your Lawn Equipment Inventory
While your new grass is sprouting or your sod is busy taking root, inspect your lawn equipment. Make sure your lawn mower is in working order, the handles of your rake and shovel aren’t cracked and you have everything you need to properly maintain your grass.
If you notice a gap in your arsenal, head to your local Lowe’s to find the right tools for any size yard. Having the proper equipment makes all the difference. Here’s a list of tools that’ll make yard work easier and more enjoyable:
Make sure you also pick up any extras like a spare set of mower blades and another roll of line for your string trimmer so you can get right to work every time.
When it comes time to mow, cutting your grass to the right length is important. This depends on the type of grass you have. The general rule of thumb is to only cut 1/3 of the blade length at a time since continuously cutting your grass too low can damage your lawn.
Fertilize Your Grass
Fertilizing is an essential step in caring for your lawn. Help your hard work stick around by giving it a dose of fertilizer four times per year. Choosing the fertilizer your lawn needs can be confusing. Fertilizer bags are full of numbers that can be difficult to understand, but here’s what you need to know.
There are typically a series of three numbers like 29-0-10 on each bag. These numbers represent the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (or N-P-K) in each bag.
Nitrogen (N) helps your grass grow and makes it look green and healthy. Phosphorus (P) promotes root growth and helps seeds sprout, which is why it’s usually only found in fertilizer specifically for starting a lawn, while potassium (K) helps the grass fight off the stress of disease and drought. Basically, they’re the dream team of lawn care.
Some products like weed and feed contain both weed killer and fertilizer in one bag, making it easy to feed the good guys and get rid of the rest. This type is not recommended if you’re trying to get new grass to grow since the weed killer stops germination. Check the package instructions, or opt for an organic blend, before letting children and pets outside after weed killer application. Read this article for more information about fertilizer.
Get on a Schedule
The easiest way to ensure a season of lush and healthy grass is getting on a schedule. Lowe’s offers a lawn care subscription plan that takes all the guess work out of caring for your yard. Answer a few questions like your zip code and the size and condition of your grass to get a custom plan. Choose between our top brands, like Scotts® and Sta-Green®, and the right products will be automatically shipped to you throughout the year when it’s time to weed and fertilize.
Download our helpful to-do and shopping list to keep you on track all season!
