Prevent lawn damage this summer
A beautiful lawn is a goal for many homeowners. Some homeowners may find that lovely lawns may last momentarily, only to disappear when damage — be it pest-, weather- or childrelated — sets in.
While well-established turf can be resilient, even the most well-maintained lawns can be vulnerable. Preventing lawn damage first involves getting to the root of the problem.
LACK OF SUNLIGHT
All plants need the proper ratio of sunlight to grow. If there’s too much sunlight, plant blades can scorch. Too little sunlight, and grass may turn brown and die. Although there are shadetolerant varieties of grass, homeowners can also explore alternative landscapes. Work in a garden bed or create a design that utilizes gravel or mulch. Avoid aggressively pruning back trees to give the lawn more sunlight in that area, as this may just damage the trees.
CHEMICAL SPILLS Gasoline and fertilizer spills and pesticide applications in high concentrations can cause the lawn to yellow or brown in spots. Carefully refill lawn-mower gas tanks and fertilizer spreaders on the sidewalk or driveway to avoid overflow onto the lawn. If spills occur, promptly flood the area with water to dilute the chemical.
FOOT TRAFFIC Lawns can take a pounding from foot traffic, leading to compaction and spots of dead grass. Try to redirect the traffic elsewhere to give worn-down areas a break. Aeration can relieve soil compaction. If a certain area has become the de facto pathway, install a paver, gravel or concrete walkway in that spot.
DEBRIS
Leaving a tool, kids’ toys, a piece of wood or any debris on the lawn can quickly suffocate the grass beneath and cause it to die quickly. Make sure that no items are left on the lawn for an extended period of time.
MOWING PATTERNS Running the mower in the same pattern over and over can cause ruts in the grass that lead to damage, so avoid mowing in the same direction on consecutive cuts. Avoid mowing on very hot days or when the lawn is soggy. Both can cause tracks to form in the lawn.
MOWERS
Dull lawn-mower blades can damage lawns, as can mowing too fast. Grass blades can be torn, snapped and more, resulting in brown spots on the lawn.
WILDLIFE Animals and insects can destroy turf roots. Animals or insects may feed on the grass from underneath its surface, compromising the lawn’s ability to procure nutrients and water. Animals such as moles or raccoons may feed on grubs in the lawn, and treating for grubs can alleviate torn-up turf.