Weeds, pests, and bare patches all take the joy out of enjoying your yard. Fortunately, these problems are often fixable.
Irregularly-shaped patches of dead or brown grass indicate a problem with fungus (brown patch disease). Other lawn issues include thatch buildup, soil compaction, improper mowing and sprinkler coverage, and lack of sunlight. Reach out to Big Green Lawn Care for expert assistance.
Weeds
For many homeowners, the lawn is one of the most visible signs of home ownership. Especially if the grass looks less than ideal, it can really stick out like a sore thumb in the neighborhood! It’s important to figure out what is causing bare spots or other issues with the lawn so that you can resolve the problem before it gets worse.
If you’ve got a lot of weeds and not much grass, it might be time for a complete lawn renovation. Pulling weeds and seeding can take a while, but it will make your yard look great!
Weeds like yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) can choke out grass in just a few weeks of emergence and continue to compete for nutrients all summer long. It’s a common weed in lawns and vegetable gardens, so use an herbicide to kill it. Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is another common weed with dark green leaves and flower spikes. To get rid of it, dig up the entire root system or spray with an herbicide as soon as it begins to grow. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial with prickly, serrated leaves that can cause rashes when touched. Cut off flower spikes and use a full-spectrum herbicide to control it.
Lawn diseases can also contribute to bare patches, particularly in damp conditions. These are caused by fungi that thrive in cool, wet weather and can appear as purplish-brown to black-colored lesions on grass blades. To prevent diseases, reduce shade and improve soil aeration to encourage air flow and avoid overwatering. Also, amend the soil with organic material to decrease nitrogen content and improve drainage.
Other fungal problems include brown patch, snow mold and rust. To help prevent these, pick up debris before it can bury itself in the turf, dethatch and aerate to minimize thatch buildup, reduce nitrogen application, and water correctly so the grass doesn’t become overwatered.
Moles are another common culprit for bare spots in the lawn. The rodents burrow in the ground and eat earthworms, grubs and other insects, which can leave behind holes and brown patches. To address moles, you can install underground traps to catch them or try placing ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency noise to scare them away.
Pests
Many homeowners assume a patchy lawn is inevitable, but weeds and other pests often start long before you notice the damage. A professional inspection can help identify the underlying issue and provide the correct treatment to restore your yard.
Unwanted grasses like quackgrass, dandelion, dallisgrass, and nimblewill grow in clumps and form unsightly patches. Their growth is disrupted by a combination of factors, including fertilization, watering and mowing schedules, soil conditions, and climate. Keeping your lawn healthy by addressing these issues can prevent unwanted grasses from growing.
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) is a troublesome weed that grows quickly within weeks of emergence in spring. It competes with grass for light and nutrients and can reduce vegetable crop yields to zero if not properly controlled. Unfortunately, yellow nutsedge resembles grass and can easily be mistaken for crabgrass or other broadleaf weeds. It is also not controlled by most common herbicides, which are typically applied too early in the season.
A variety of grubs infest your lawn, causing wilting or dead patches of grass. Heavy grub infestations can also attract raccoons and other wildlife that may cause additional damage to your property or gardens.
Almost any lawn problem can be minimized by regular maintenance. Keep your mower sharp to cut the grass with less stress, and water appropriately and at the right time for the current season. Perform regular soil testing to identify nutrient imbalances and deficiencies, and follow a balanced fertilization schedule that supports strong grass growth to crowd out weeds. Be sure to rake thoroughly after mowing to expose more grass roots and avoid damaging the surface of the soil. Bald or bare spots can be filled in by digging up the affected area, lightly tilling, layering in loose topsoil and reseeding. Alternatively, fill the spot with compost or mulch for an organic solution. Taking care of problems as they appear will help you enjoy a lush, beautiful lawn all year round!
Disease
If you have a bumpy lawn, there could be many causes. From worm casts to animal digging, all of these can create unwanted lumps in your yard. Another cause of a bumpy lawn is improper grading. If your lawn slopes toward your home, rainwater will run into your soil and leave bumps. Incorrect grading can also lead to water pooling and other issues in your yard.
One of the most common and difficult to diagnose reasons for bare patches is grass diseases. These can easily be confused with drought damage or insect problems. Some, like fungi that spread quickly through the turfgrass, can be difficult to stop once they start.
Some signs of fungi include purplish-brown or black-colored spots on the grass blades. Other signs of fungi include a spongy texture to the lawn. Fungi that cause these symptoms thrive in cool weather conditions with excessive moisture. If left unchecked, the fungi can kill the grass.
Other fungi that can affect the health of your lawn include brown patch and red thread disease. The first sign of brown patch is usually a circular area that appears in the lawn. If the area is dry, it can be raked out and patched with the appropriate seed mix. Red thread is a fungal disease that usually affects cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass but can also be seen in some warm-season lawns. The first sign of red thread is small, reddish-brown areas in the turfgrass. These areas will eventually expand and cover the entire lawn.
Other lawn diseases include rust (which is caused by several different fungi) and leaf spot. Rust develops in cool-season grasses, particularly ryegrass and is recognizable by its rust-colored spores that can rub off onto shoes and equipment. To prevent rust, remove clippings frequently to reduce fungal buildup and maintain proper mowing and watering practices. Watering to avoid excess moisture and keeping nitrogen levels balanced can also help prevent rust and other fungi from developing in your lawn. If a fungus has already developed, a fungicide can be applied to control the problem.
Patchy Grass
Patchy lawns can result from physical damage, fungal diseases, drought and other conditions. But most bare spots can be repaired by identifying and treating the cause. That’s why it’s important to follow a seasonal care program that addresses weeds, pests and soil health.
Weeds like nutsedge, crabgrass and annual grassy varieties grow in clumps and crowd out desirable turf. They usually germinate and thrive in drier, more shaded or otherwise different areas of the yard than the rest of the lawn. The best way to combat weeds is to tackle them in their first stages of growth. Regular mowing, aeration and overseeding help prevent the onset of weeds as well.
In addition to nutrient deficiencies, other reasons for patchy grass include thatch buildup (which hinders water and nutrients from reaching roots), soil compaction, mowing with dull blades and improper watering (both too much and too little). To improve your lawn’s overall condition, work to get rid of existing weeds before sowing new seed or installing sod.
Unsightly bumps or humps in your lawn can also indicate that the soil is compacted, the grass is too dry and/or it’s not getting enough light. The solution is to loosen the soil by aerating or dethatching and to amend the lawn with compost, topsoil or organic matter.
An uneven lawn can also be the result of poor grading and drainage. It’s important to grade your yard properly and install gutters to divert rainwater away from your home, as well as to ensure that your sprinkler system is properly positioned and sized to avoid runoff.
Another reason for an uneven lawn is pet damage, which can lead to bare patches. To avoid this, confine pets to a small area of the lawn and remove any feces they leave behind. You can also soak urine patches to dilute the salts that can damage your lawn and reseed any bare spots. In addition, mowing your lawn at the recommended height for each season can help prevent animal damage and promote healthy lawn growth.
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