Maintaining a lush, green lawn requires more than just watering and regular mowing. A lot of hard work and effort goes into keeping your lawn healthy and alive. But if you’ve found yourself dealing with dead grass, no problem! Our professional landscapers in Kingsport share five steps to revive dead grass, so your lawn is ready for outdoor entertaining this season.
Step 1: Determine the problem
Disease, pests, and lack of nutrients or water can all lead to one thing – dead grass. But to remedy the problem, you first must identify the exact reason your grass has turned brown. Pests can invade even well-maintained yards. Ways to identify a pest problem on your property are to look for brown spots in your grass, chew marks on the blades, dead patches, wilting grass, thin root systems, or holes in the soil.
Visual inspection – Start by conducting a visual test to see if you notice an abundance of pests roaming around your lawn.
Patch test – Remove a small patch of soil in an inconspicuous area, just deep enough to see the grass roots. Place the soil on a white piece of paper or cloth and examine it for insects or pests.
Soak test – The last step involves a soak test by adding 4 tablespoons of dish soap to 1 gallon of water. Select a 1-foot area of your lawn that is experiencing problems, pour the solution over this area, and check it in about 15 minutes. Notice if you have any bugs that appear on the soil.
Other problems that could cause your grass to die are watering it too much or not enough, too much shade, sunlight, or other environmental influences like freezing temperatures or drought can cause the grass to enter a dormant phase.
Step 2: Prep your lawn
If half or more of your lawn is either dead or infiltrated with weeds, you have two options – sew new grass seed or sod. Grass seed is a much cheaper option, but it takes more time to see results and is dependent on the weather. Seeding also leaves the ground more susceptible to soil erosion, and weeds are more difficult to control.
Instead, sod yields immediate results, although it is much more costly and probably is a job better left to landscapers in Kingsport. Sod is denser, covers dead spots, and results in a plush, green lawn. It also helps combat erosion and is less subject to weeds.
Step 3: Cultivate your lawn
Lawn cultivation involves removing weeds and loosening compacted topsoil. It improves the soil’s airflow and allows water and nutrients to reach the grass roots. The purpose of aeration is to promote healthy grass that grows quickly. If you’ve recently seeded your lawn, you should wait until the following year to aerate. You can rent an aerator from your local garden center, or you can hire a Tri-Cities landscaper to do the job for you. If you decide to take a DIY approach, be sure not to disrupt nearby plant roots when aerating.
Step 4: Add fertilizer
Fertilizer is a necessary component of a beautiful, healthy lawn. Fertilizer provides nutrients that promote healthy grass growth. The fertilizer you choose should contain potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The best time to fertilize is about 30-60 days after you’ve sodded or seeded your lawn. Fertilizer should only be applied to grass that is actively growing, not dead grass. Avoid adding fertilizer during a drought or during the winter when the grass is typically dormant. Ideally, fertilize during a time when there isn’t any rain in the forecast. Most importantly, follow the instructions on the packaging for the best results.
Step 5: Maintain your lawn
A newly sodded or seeded lawn requires adequate water. A professionally installed lawn irrigation system is the best way to ensure every inch of your lawn receives enough water. If you must use a sprinkler hooked to a hose that you operate yourself, be sure to water more in less time to encourage the roots to grow deeper. If you would like to learn more about professionally installed irrigation systems in Kingsport, contact Promier Landscapes today.
Another aspect of lawn maintenance includes mowing. Be sure not to mow your lawn too short. Determine the type of grass that you have and ensure you cut it at the proper height to maintain its deep roots and healthy nutrients. Promier Landscapes also offers grass cutting services in Kingsport.
Landscapers in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol
Caring for a lawn and keeping it looking beautiful and healthy takes time and a lot of hard work. If you aren’t cut out for the challenge, consider hiring a professional landscaping company in Kingsport, Promier Landscapes, to do the job for you. We offer residential and commercial services in the Tri-Cities. Call us today at (423) 872-2988 to learn more or to get a free quote.