Enjoying the August weather? We certainly are here at Lane’s Landscaping Supplies.
While the sunshine and heat may be great for you, it can be downright murderous for your grass. And that goes double when there’s a lack of rain.
As a result, your lawn may be covered with:
- Thinning patches.
- Brown spots.
- Dead grass colour or bald spots.
Other things which can negatively impact your lawn’s health and appearance are animals, disease, and poor topsoil.
Although it’s upsetting and unsightly, it’s not too late to bring it back to life. Here’s how to make grass green again.
Aerate your lawn
Think all the way back to April. You took time to learn how to revive dead grass after the long, tough winter.
One of the spring landscaping jobs you handled of was to aerate your grass. That alleviated soil compaction and allowed the following to reach all the way down to the roots:
- Air.
- Water.
- Nutrients.
Since then, the aeration holes you created have sealed, closed up, or become filled with dirt and debris.
Eventually, the roots weaken and die. And eventually, the blades of grass above your topsoil die too.
So now’s a good time to aerate your lawn and let all the good stuff it needs to reach the roots and soil underneath.
- PRO TIP: Make sure your aeration lines overlap with each other. Make your first pass in a north-south direction, and then your second pass that runs east-west.
Apply fresh topsoil
Again, think back to April.
You probably applied a layer of new, healthy topsoil across your lawn; very smart of you.
Over the past few months, that vibrant topsoil has transformed into dead dirt. And although that may sound silly, there’s actually a big difference between the two:
TOPSOIL = GOOD
- Rich in vitamins, nutrients, and microorganisms (worms, insects, etc.).
- Full of air pockets which allow vital elements to circulate and flow through.
- Topsoil is considered to be “alive.”
DIRT = BAD
- Dry and bereft of the healthy elements found in topsoil.
- Soil is compacted and hard, meaning water, air, and nutrients cannot flow through.
- Dirt is considered to be “dead.”
At first glance, it might be hard to distinguish between topsoil and dirt. But here’s what you should look for in quality topsoil:
- Dark brown or black in colour.
- Sweet smelling.
- Crumbles when squeezed in your hand.
- Free of stones, weeds, and other fragments.
If the topsoil doesn’t exhibit those traits, then it doesn’t have the oomph needed to adequately feed your lawn.
In other words; now’s a good time to pick up some fresh topsoil and make your grass green once again.
- PRO TIP: Thinly spread topsoil all over your lawn, but pay close attention to the dead areas which need help.
Reseed your grass
Aerating and topdressing your lawn with fresh soil is all about preparation.
In order to actually stimulate growth, you’ll need to put down a layer of fresh grass seed.
Not sure exactly what type of grass is on your lawn? When in doubt, go with the following mixture (as it does well in the GTA):
- Perennial rye grass.
- Bluegrass.
When spreading seed, you’ll want to focus on the dead or patchy areas.
But when you’re doing that, make sure to look at your lawn as a whole. If it looks thin or sparse, you can (and should) overseed it in its entirety.
- PRO TIP: After seeding your lawn, water it smartly. Too much water will drown or wash away the seeds and too little won’t be effective.
Ready to make grass green for the end of summer? Contact us
Having a thick, green lawn adds beauty, value, and curb appeal to your home.
Having an unhealthy or dead lawn is nothing more than an annoying eyesore.
Don’t let summer do anymore damage to your grass. By following the steps in this blog, you’ll be well on your way to bringing your grass back to life.
And whenever you need help, we’re here with the products and advice you’re looking for.
Contact us with your questions or comments. Already know what you want? Get a FREE quote now.