Unless you are one of those people who love gardening, chances are you would not even think about repairing your lawn till the grass gets damaged. It can even be difficult to notice any damage in the lawn as different types of climate can impact the grass differently- be it the color or the length of the grass. However, once you get to know about the different lawn issues, you would want to fix them as soon as possible.
Repairing a lawn does not have a single solution to different problems. It largely depends on the cause of the problem as well as the size of the area that has been damaged. You need to fix the issues timely so that you do not have to start from scratch and replace the damaged grass with bare and fresh soil.
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Types of Lawn Damages and their Repair Methods
In this article, we would be discussing the different ways in which a lawn can become damaged and how to repair those damages.
1. Worn-out Paths
These are a common type of damage to the lawn. Although there is minimal damage if only a few people step on the grass, however, the damage can become significant when many people pass through the same area regularly. This can also lead to the formation of natural paths in some cases as the grass wears out and dies. Worn-out paths need to be taken care of much more than the other parts.
It is not difficult to take care of this type of damage as it requires less amount of effort. All you have to do is make sure that the lawn is adequately watered and the grass is given enough time to grow back. This way, the grass might not get damaged at all, as it will pop up whenever someone steps on it.
In case you want to avoid such a scenario altogether, it would be a good idea to build up a path in the lawn. You can also use slaps of a spare patio for creating stepping stones. Finally, this will help in keeping people’s feet off the grass and even protect your shoes when the weather is terrible.
2. Thinned Grass
Another problem that can arise when it comes to damaged grass is the thinning of the grass. This can depend on the climate, weather, and type of grass. It is essential to identify the cause of the problem. Grass thinning can happen due to several reasons such as invasive plant species, insect infestations, lawn diseases, and so on. This can stop the grass from spreading out if one does not take care of it. It can even worsen in shaded areas.
One of the ways to repair such damages can be the use of the correct fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical or natural weed killers. They can kill any unwanted invaders and push the grass back to its natural state and also helps in aerating the soil. Aeration can get overlooked by gardeners, although it is quite easy to do. All you have to do is create small holes in the lawn with the help of different tools. One can even get automated tools to do so, many of which come inbuilt in certain lawnmowers.
3. Hard Soil
Having hard soil can be a significant issue. Although it is very much similar to thinned grass, however, one cannot fix it with the help of air holes. In some cases, one may have to replace the soil altogether. In case the soil is compressed, it can stick for a good number of years before you can even recognize it. One can only tell when they start growing the grass there.
Soil can become compact due to several reasons. It can be due to over-tilling, walking on grass, or even due to frequent rains. You also need to work on the causes and reduce them to help the soil in repairing. Furthermore, this can also be fixed with the help of aeration as it can help in moving or loosening up the soil. You can dig it with the help of a shovel to break it apart. Alternatively, you can move it to a different area of the lawn so that there are fewer issues.
4. Extreme Shade
It can be challenging to repair a damaged lawn id there is a lot of shade. Although it can depend on the grass type, however, it might happen that the grass might not be able to survive due to extreme shade on the lawn.
The solution to the problem depends on the cause and the situation at hand. In case it is caused by a tree or a hedge, you can always remove it. Alternatively, you can search for different types of grass-based on the type of lawn that you have and the amount of shade on the lawn. You also don’t have to replace the lawn entirely with a new type of grass, instead only the problem areas. Just cut the grass to the same length, and they would blend among each other. Make sure to remove cuttings from your lawn in the end.
5. Insect Hills and Animal Holes
There can be multiple insects and animals that can build their tunnels, nests, or hiding places in your lawn. Some common types are anthills and moles, which cannot be removed easily. Animal holes can be removed or closed by putting dirt on it, collapsing its inside, and then cutting off the ventilation. Since every tunnel has multiple ventilation holes, this method would not suffocate the animals inside. You can also spray repellents that will ward off the animals and ensure that they do not come back.
Another problem can be anthills. People might choose to kill the ants by putting hot water inside the hole. However, there are other ways to remove them. You can destroy the anthills by smoothening and collapsing them as it can stop the ants for some time. Unless you do not want your yard being bumpy or if you face problems while mowing your yard, it is best just to ignore them
6. Tree Roots
Most of the trees have thick roots. In case you want to grow one in your garden, they can push the lawn surface after increasing to a level. They might even come out of the soil or the lawn surface, depending on their size and distance from open air. If a tree is large, the chances are that it will have extensive roots, which can create unexpected problems in the long run.
You can cover up the roots with fertilizer and dirt. Generally, this will help in creating a top dressing over the roots and coerce the lawn. You just need to ensure that it does not interface with the lawn sprinkler if you have one. In case you do not want to follow this step, you would have to decide whether you can remove the tree or not. You can even try removing the roots without damaging the tree altogether. So, a professional can help you with the job.
Conclusion
One should pay heed to the different problems in a lawn and should fix them immediately if you want an attractive and healthy lawn. Most of the damages are fixed easily and quickly; others might take some time and effort. The above were some ways how a lawn can get damaged and how to repair it effectively.
James has been working with lot’s of power tool brands like Husqvarna, Makita and WORX for over 12 years. With his passion for power tools and gardening he is helping both consumers and businesses with his expertise. He now runs the editorial team at HomeGearExpert and loves to support local charities in his spare time.