Picture this: you step outside on a crisp morning, coffee in hand, and look out over your lawn. Instead of seeing a lush, green carpet, you’re greeted with a patchwork of brown, lifeless grass.
Now, before you dive into despair, you should know that you can transform your backyard into a golf course standard. All it takes is a little know-how and some dedicated lawn care.
This extensive guide will show you how to revive your lawn and achieve golf course grass quality.
Identify the Issue
If your grass is dying yet you’ve been watering regularly, you will need to dig a little deeper and identify the root cause.
Your grass could be dying due to a myriad of reasons such as poor soil quality or your grass is ravaged by pests and diseases as a result of subpar lawn care. It could also be that the roots are simply unable to absorb moisture or nutrients from the soil.
To identify the cause of your lawn’s demise, you should buy a soil test kit from Golf Course Lawn Store to help you better understand your soil’s pH level and nutrient content. With this insight, you can make well-guided decisions on how to provide the right conditions for your grass to flourish.
Determine If Your Grass Is Dormant or Dying
Before you can begin to revive your lawn, you need to determine whether your grass is dormant or dead. A simple tug test can help with this. Grab a clump of grass and pull. If it comes out easily, it’s likely dead. If it puts up some resistance, it’s probably just dormant.
Remember, dormant grass can be revived, but dead grass will need to be replaced. If you see a clear division between green and brown sections in your lawn, the brown or pale areas may be dead and need to be resodded. But if you find green tissues or healthy white roots — this indicates your grass still has a fighting chance.
Resod Your Lawn
If your grass is already dead, you will need to start afresh by laying new sod. When doing so, it’s important to first remove the old, dead grass before planting the new lawn. In some cases, you might be able to sow new seeds over the existing lawn, but this should only be attempted if the cause of the dying grass has been addressed. Your best option is to invest in some high quality grass seed or sod from a local grass store right from the start.
Hydrating Your Grass
If your grass is brown or yellowing, watering heavily can kickstart the revival process. Aim to water two to three times a week in the early morning, when evaporation is lowest. Rehydrating the root system will take time, so don’t expect to see instant results.
A wetting agent can be a helpful tool in the lawn revival process. These products attract and retain moisture in the soil, helping the grass to absorb it more efficiently. You can find wetting agents at most home and garden stores.
Going Gentle on Your Grass
While your grass is in its recovery stage, it’s important to treat it gently. Avoid walking on it, and delay mowing until the temperatures cool down and the grass has had a chance to rebound. Once you do start mowing again, consider raising the cut height until the grass is fully recovered.
In Conclusion
It’s important to care for your golf course grass properly to prevent it from turning brown or dying again. With a little effort and dedication, you can transform your backyard into a lush, flourishing carpet, making your neighbors green with envy.