Tips on How To Revive Dead Grass

It’s always nice to see your lawn lush and green. Consistent lawn maintenance is needed to keep its healthy state. However, there are times when your grass starts to die off. Some of the common causes are incorrect watering, poor soil quality, brown patch disease, and improper use of fertilizer.

Dead grass is an eyesore that might negatively impact your home’s aesthetic and curb appeal. If you want to revive the green sheen of your lawn, Midstate Landscaping is here to help. We can give you some tips on how to revive dead patches of grass. Read on to learn more:

Prepare the Site

The first thing you need to do is site preparation. This step will ensure that there’s a healthy environment for new grass sod. Eliminate all the weeds and old grass using a nonselective herbicide. Spray the solution over the lawn and wait at least two hours to let it dry. To fully remove the weeds, wait a full week before you proceed with the next step.

Eliminate Excess Thatch

Thatch is a layer of decomposing plant materials across your soil’s surface. It is usually between the surface of the soil and the blades of grass. Having thatch in your lawn is good because it helps insulate the soil. However, too much of anything is bad. When there’s excess thatch, it will suffocate the roots. This means the soil won’t be able to access water, air, and nutrients properly. 

Use vertical mowers to prevent thatch from building up. A sharp power rake will also help in eliminating excess thatch. Perform detaching regularly so that the thatch will be no more than about a half-inch.

Till the Soil

The purpose of tilling soil is to control weeds and break up the soil. When you till the soil, you mix organic matter into the lawn. The process starts with turning over the soil about five to six inches deep. Then, organic materials like compost are added to the soil. Doing so will promote healthy plant growth and introduce beneficial microorganisms. 

In addition, tilling helps aerate the soil and fix compacted soil. You may do this once or twice a year to prevent your grass from dying.

Fertilize

An effective way to bring your back to life is through fertilizers. After soil preparation, you may start testing the nutrient levels of the lawn. This will help you know the recommended fertilizer quantities. Then, go to your local garden store and look for the fertilizer that you need. You may buy premixed, ready-to-use fertilizers for easy application. There are types of fertilizers specially formulated to revive brown grass.

Apply the fertilizers over your entire lawn. Focus on dead grass and spread the product during the growing season. Wait until the grass gets thicker and greener.

Plant New Sod

If the majority of your lawn is filled with brown grass, it’s better to plant new sod. Sod is a full-grown grass that comes in rolls. Start by preparing the soil and leveling your lawn. Lay the first row of sod against a straight edge and smooth out the loose areas. 

To fill in small sections, use plugs and pat down the sod. Avoid walking on the newly installed sod for a week. Installing new sod in a 1,000-square-foot backyard costs about $400.

Plant New Grass Seeds

You may also plant new grass seeds on your lawn. Start by loosening the top inch of soil and removing the dead grass. After this, spread the seed across the affected spots. To avoid overcrowding, you should only apply 16 seeds per square inch. Lastly, cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

How to Avoid Dead Grass in the Future

• Water the new patches of grass to keep the soil moist.
• Fix dog urine spots on your lawn.
• Mow your grass weekly.
• Do not cut the grass too short.
• Fertilize your lawn once during the spring and fall season.
• Contact a professional landscaping company that provides a full range of lawn care services.

Work With Our Landscapers

Contact us today for your lawn care and landscaping needs! We offer high-quality services to keep your landscape beautiful. Our services for residential and commercial properties include hardscaping, mulching, and snow removal. To request an estimate, send us a message today.