No matter how well we care for our lawns, there are factors beyond our control that impact the health of our turfgrass. Sometimes, damage leaves us with a few dead patches that can be repaired with overseeding. Other times, a full lawn installation is necessary. Here are a few of the frequent scenarios that result in lawn damage and the need to start over from square one.
Why A Lawn Installation May Be In Your Future
You’ve Lost The War On Weeds
When it comes to weeds, if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile. Like a class of unruly children, the minute you let your guard down, they’ll take full advantage and ruin the look of your lawn. Unfortunately, it’s best to start over completely when weeds have covered more than half your yard. When weeds are this extensive, killing them off with herbicide will leave you with bare patches of soil.
Your Yard Isn’t Draining Properly
After it’s rained, or after watering, does your yard turn into a pond? Are there many areas that are completely submerged? Chronic drainage issues aren’t something to be taken lightly, and they create various problems, from microscopic diseases like molds and mildews to larger issues like erosion. If that’s the case with your yard, consider having it professionally leveled and then starting with a new seed.
You’ve Had Construction Done
Whether you’ve had a septic tank installed, major plumbing, or even something positive like a new deck built, all that extra foot traffic, equipment, and supplies left on the lawn can impact the grass. Sometimes, grass can heal on its own, but it doesn’t recover in many cases, especially if you had to dig into the earth.
The Summer Was Overly Hot And Dry
While drought is something you might associate with California, it’s frequently becoming a problem here in the Midwest. Summer temperatures are getting hotter and hotter, and that’s not good for our cool-season grasses. These grass varietals thrive in temperatures that are around 60 degrees. When the temperature hovers in the high 80s or above, cool-season grass gets stressed out. Stressed grass is more likely to fall victim to diseases and weed infestations and consequently dry out and die.
Wrong Grass Seed For Your Yard
If you’ve changed the amount of light your yard receives, i.e., planted new trees or shrubs, the existing grass might not take kindly to it. Certain grass seed does better in full sun, while others like partial shade or even full shade. If the light in your yard has changed, it could be that the grass type needs to change as well. As lawn care service experts, Hydroseed Inc. will help you determine which grass seed varietal is the best option for your yard.
The Soil Is Full Of Thatch
Dead grass clippings, fallen leaves, and other dead organic material contribute to “thatch“- the straw like substance between the grassroots and the soil. Some thatch in your lawn is a good thing, and it holds moisture during the driest parts of summer and winter. Unfortunately, too much thatch can smother and choke out the grass. It also contributes to soil compaction. When soil is compacted, it’s too hard for the roots of the grass to move freely. If there are enough compacted areas and thatch build-up, it might be easier to start from square one rather than trying to address the compacted soil.
The pH Level Is Off
The Goldilocks conditions for our lawns are between 6.2 and 7 on the pH scale. But that “just right” measurement doesn’t always happen. Excess rains, fertilizers, and other factors can tip the soil to be too acidic or too alkaline and affect how well the grass grows.
The Lawn Was Mowed Incorrectly
While mowing might seem like the most basic of chores, it plays a major role in the health of your lawn. Cutting grass too close to the earth, mowing infrequently, or always mowing in the same pattern can negatively impact the health of your lawn. When grass is too short, weeds can pop up and swiftly take over the lawn. When grass is left too long between mows, fungal diseases can invade and greatly damage the grass.
Another common problem is mulching. If you frequently mow, mulching the grass clippings and leaving them on the lawn is beneficial. But if the clippings are too long, they can smother the grass and trap excess moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and fungi to thrive. While fungicide is a way to treat these problems, if the damage is great enough, you might not be able to rescue the lawn. Instead, you’ll have to start over.
Get Professional Lawn Installation Near South Bend
Whether you need to repair a problem area or start completely over with a new lawn, the experts at Hydroseed Inc. are here to help. We offer both hydroseeding and overseeding to suit the needs of small or large-scale projects. Isn’t it time you got the lawn of your dreams? To learn more about our lawn installation services, give us a call at 800-468-LAWN or leave us a message online and a member of our team will get back to you soon.
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