3 Ways To Salvage A Dying Lawn

There’s nothing more depressing than a dying lawn, especially when you’ve put a lot of time, effort and money into establishing it!  Those faded-looking, brown or bare patches are ugly and feel horrible underfoot: your grass is sick and needs some immediate attention. 

Of course, the first step to salvaging a dying lawn is to establish the root cause of the problem (pun unintended!).  There are many factors that can influence the health and vibrancy of your turf, so read below for some top tips on how to identify lawn issues and how to repair a dying lawn: 

Water 

Inadequate Water 

A long, dry summer takes its toll on any lawn.  And as we move into autumn, you may find your grass looking yellow and dry.  We understand that many homeowners find it costly to water large grass areas during summer, however, if your lawn has received little to no water for long stretches, it may suffer badly. 

Many species of turf enter a ‘dormant’ phase after a few weeks of water deficiency but will bounce back well with 3 – 4 weeks of regular irrigation.  However, if your lawn has experienced prolonged periods of drought it may die off completely, in which case you will need to start again. 

Too Much Water 

Believe it or not, over-watering can be just as detrimental to your lawn as under-watering!  When soil becomes waterlogged, the air pockets beneath the surface which are vital to healthy soil and normal plant growth are filled with water and the roots become suffocated.  As well as interfering with healthy grass growth, too much water encourages weeds and lawn pests.  If you suspect your grass is suffering from too much water, cut back on the amount you are applying and adopt deeper and less frequent watering practices. 

Thatch 

Thatch build-up is a common problem with many species of lawn, including Buffalo.  If the thatch layer on your lawn becomes too thick it prevents water and air from reaching the soil, facilitates the growth of fungi and limits the normal, healthy growth of new grass runners.  The results are obvious: a sickly looking, patchy lawn that feels unusually spongy underfoot.

Removing thatch isn’t difficult, it simply requires a bit of elbow grease!  Use a metal rake to scrape most of the thatch layer out of the lawn and prepare any dead areas for returfing.  Depending on the size of your lawn you may choose to use a mechanical scarifier to do the job.  Either way, your lawn won’t look pretty when you’ve finished but give it a month or two and the results will be well worth it! 

Fertilise 

To maintain optimal health and vitality, your lawn needs regular feeding.  There are various ways to achieve this, including top-dressing with compost, applying liquid seaweed or spraying with chemical fertilisers.  For a lush, green lawn, choose a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen. 

For more information on salvaging your dying lawn, talk to the staff at Rivers Edge Turf.  Call us today on (02) 4579 9009.