Common lawn problems

At this time of year, we begin to venture out into our gardens more often and become aware of how our lawns have coped over the winter months. We see plenty of lawn issues, lets take a look at what can be done.

Compaction

Healthy soil needs air spaces within it. Roots don’t grow in the soil; they grow in the gaps within. Gradually, over time, through regular use of your garden your lawn is likely to become compacted. Areas where your lawn is walked on more often are likely to show signs of poor grass growth and more often than not, this is due to the compaction below the surface. You’ll see this more often close to washing lines, the entrance to gates or where you have to walk over the lawn to access another area in your garden. It may be tempting to scatter grass seed on the surface, but unless the compaction issue is addressed, that new seed is going to struggle to establish as there is no space in the soil for its roots.

Compromised root development means the grass has limited access to moisture and nutrition, meaning compromised grass growth. In addition, the roots are responsible for a gaseous exchange with the atmosphere, without which your grass will be less healthy and more susceptible to disease and pest issues. If you want a lawn to be proud of, deal with the compaction in your lawn. Aeration of the lawn, at least annually, should make up part of your lawn care plan.

Dog Urine Burn

Since Covid lock-down, there are many more lawn owners that are now also dog owners. That increase in dog ownership has seen an increase of dog related lawn damage. The most common of which is scorching, and bare patches caused by dog urine. Urine is high in nitrogen. Used correctly, nitrogen is an essential lawn nutrient and good for your grass. As anyone who has spilt lawn fertiliser on their grass will know, a concentration of nitrogen will kill grass. And this is what we are seeing with dog urine burns. The high concentration of nitrogen burns the grass and then the lower concentration around the edge creates a halo of lush growth – great for drawing attention to the unsightly burn!

The best way to deal with this is prevention. If you can train your dog to pee elsewhere then that’s ideal. If not, try flushing the area with water after your pet has relieved itself. This isn’t always practical, and you may need to adopt strategies to repair these bare areas. Raking, spiking, and seeding is a good way forward. Another great tip is to grow some small plant pots of soil and grass seed. When the burns appear, you can dig out the area, using an empty plant pot as a template and then pop the new grass in to fill the gap.

Insect Damage

There are two main groups of insects that cause lawn issues – leather jackets and chafer grubs. Both live in the soil, both eat the grass plant, both cause major, unsightly damage. The pesticide used to control these insects has been withdrawn and therefore we are seeing increased numbers. Turf growers are struggling to supply pest-free turf and we see major problems in lawns that have been recently re-laid. To avoid this problem, if you are thinking of replacing your lawn, it’s far better to establish it from seed than to bring in new turf and possibly bring in lawn destroying insects too. Check with a lawncare professional if you suspect insect damage issues and they will be able to advise the best way forward.

Lawn Treatments

All living things need the right nutrition to remain healthy. Your lawn is no different. Without the correct seasonal nutrition, grass growth may be weak and the plants more susceptible to pests and diseases. In addition, regular weed and moss control will ensure your lawn looks its best all year long. Many lawn owners, who choose to apply their own lawn treatments, soon realise that shop-bought products are often not as effective as they would like. In addition, they tend to be expensive and don’t come in pack sizes to fit the size of your lawn – resulting in a shed full of part used boxes of ineffective products. It’s important not to under or over-dose a lawn, so the right applicator should be used, and that applicator should be calibrated too. Many people realise that the convenience and value offered by professional lawn treatments far outweighs shop bought alternatives and guarantees a beautiful lawn you can be proud of all year.

Ian Kenyon sits on the committee of the UK Lawn Care Association and owns Shrekfeet Independent Lawncare. He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help: T: 01962 460146 www.shrekfeet.com