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| Clues to solving lawn problems (Summer 2006) |
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The case of the disappearing lawn
Detecting clues for this mystery requires a field trip. Go outside and look at your grass.
Magnify the Problem
Pull up a few blades of grass and look closely with a magnifying glass. Are they discolored? It could be a fungus. If the disease is widespread, you may need to apply a herbicide that kills the grass and then dissipates within six weeks, so you can replant with grass seed or sod. Early fall is a good time to plant a new lawn.
Gather a Sample
Now dig out a plug of grass and observe the root system. Are the roots about as deep as the blades grow high? Mowing on the high side encourages a deep root system. Is there a thick layer of thatch? That’s the brownish stuff between the green grass blades and the roots. A half-inch layer of thatch is fine, but more than that is a problem. If the roots are choked by thatch, they can’t reach water and nutrients in the soil. Rent a thatcher to solve the problem.
Look Up
Observe the trees. Most varieties of grass need sunlight, a vital part of the process of photosynthesis that helps grass create food. Trim lower tree branches or plant a shade-resistant variety of grass.
Look Down
Sherlock always said, “The game’s afoot.” Think about past activities. Was there a lot of foot traffic, bicycle riding, or a lawn party that could cause ground compaction? When the soil is tamped down, it forms a shield that keeps water and fertilizer from reaching the roots. Rent an aerator to open the soil. Keen observation can help you find the clues for solving the mystery.
Do I have to water my lawn every week? How much? What if there are water restrictions?
Hydrophobic Worrier
Put your doubts to rest by keeping these simple principles in mind. Lawns need an inch of water a week. Most lawns can go dormant and sleep through a dry spell, then recover with fall rains. However, if you water a little now and then, you create stress because the lawn is continually waking up and then going back to sleep. If you decide to water, water regularly through the growing season. If there are watering restrictions, then mow high so that the grass blades shade the soil to retain moisture. When you can, irrigate in the early morning so that less water is evaporated by sunlight.
The amount of water can be determined by taking old cans or plastic containers and placing a mark an inch from the bottom, then spreading them around the lawn. Start your sprinkler and time how long it takes to reach the one-inch mark. Water for just that length of time to conserve water and to be sure the lawn has had a healthy drink.
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