A Patch-Free Lawn: A Game Of Water, Sun And Soil
Posted on: 20 January 2015
A lawn requires intensive care, and even then it can be incredibly stubborn; no matter how much you baby it, it can still end up brown and patchy in some areas. If the grass is feeling particularly vindictive, it will patch in areas that require the most work to replace. It is true that you need to watch out for animal urine, people trodding on your lawn and other preventative factors, but when it comes down to maintenance, you don't need to work yourself too hard. Lawn care often comes down to three primary factors:
Water
Water is one of the things grass is the most finicky over. It needs just the right amount and with equal and constant coverage. Luckily, this is also one of the easiest potential problems to deal with.
If you have a sprinkler system, watch it carefully during an entire cycle to make sure that the sprinklers are not missing any patches. Adjust any sprinklers as necessary, and modify your watering schedule to add more or less water as needed. In addition, if you notice that your grass is browning no matter how often you water it, try watering in the evening instead of during the heat of the day, when the sun evaporates plenty of water before it can sink into the soil.
Sun
Like other plants, grass needs sun to survive, and it's not too picky. However, if your lawn always patches in the same areas, you may need to watch it for a day to make sure it's getting enough sun. Even if it receives sun at one time of day, taller plants, vehicles or other obstacles could throw it into shade for most of the day, which means the grass won't get enough. If not, remove any obstacles if possible. If you can't move whatever is blocking the sun, you will almost assuredly have a hard time growing grass in that location.
This also means you need to keep your lawn free of debris. This is especially important in fall, where leaves can pile up on your lawn and end up blocking sunlight. Try to rake up leaves as soon as you can and don't leave them in piles on your lawn. It can be a hassle, but it's less work than replanting grass.
Soil
The soil is where your lawn's root system calls itself home, and is where plenty of nutrients are taken in — but only if said nutrients can get there. Every so often your soil needs to be aerated. This is when holes are poked into the soil to allow water easier access to the roots. While you do this, also add a layer of fresh soil, as your old soil may no longer be healthy enough to support a lawn. Aerating your soil can safely be done about once a year.
If you're in need of a sprinkler system for your yard, visit a company like Turfbuilders Irrigation Inc.
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