Solving Common Lawn Problems: 3 Tips for Keeping a Great Looking Lawn

Keeping up with your lawn may seem like a huge chore and it can often be time-consuming. However, unless you want your property to be the one that everyone avoids or the one that won’t sell if you choose to place it on the market, then keeping up with your lawn is going to be a task that you simply have to perform.

But what about all of those problems that a lawn can develop? How do you solve these problems and keep them from recurring year after year? Well, owning a home requires a fair amount of “tough love” and a lot of TLC. And fortunately, there are many tested ways to rid your lawn of problems.

Nobody wants to go home to a property with an unkempt yard. But with a few simple efforts, your property will be looking great before you know it, and perhaps you can even generate a bit of curb appeal in the process.

Here, we’ll discuss a few common problems and solutions for keeping your lawn looking great.

1. Soil Compaction

Most homeowners love a great-looking yard. But it’s hard to see below the surface. And when you have soil compaction, you can develop serious issues with your lawn.

Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are squeezed together reducing the overall pore space between them. When this happens, it can reduce water infiltration and drainage. Additionally, when soil becomes compacted it effectively becomes stronger. And this means that grass and plant roots have to exert more force to work into the soil.

Essentially, if the soil becomes compacted, grass roots may not be able to penetrate or take in a sufficient amount of water.

Aeration is a method that reduces soil compaction. And when your lawn begins to have drainage issues, or if the soil cannot be worked easily, you’ll likely need the assistance of a professional for a soil aeration treatment.

2. Removing Brown & Bare Spots

Nobody wants a property pockmarked with bare spots of dirt. But this is actually a common problem with most lawns across the country. So what can you do to rid your lawn of these unsightly blemishes?

The process for removing bare spots in the yard is fairly simple, but you’re going to have to put in a little effort to get the job done. And just to note, common bare spots such as those under trees or in areas with little sunlight available will likely stay bare unless the canopy is removed to allow a greater amount of light.

Here are a few steps you can take to rid your lawn of unsightly brown or bare spots:

• Loosen the soil with a rake or shovel
• Apply nutrient-rich topsoil
• Seed the soil
• Fertilize the soil
• Water the soil periodically

When all else fails, you may opt to purchase sod patching to cover bare spots. But if you choose this method, ensure that you’ve loosened the soil and watered it so that the roots can take hold. Otherwise, your new sod will turn brown and die off as well.

3. Removing Invasive Weeds

Perhaps one of the most unsightly guests that find their way into your yard come in the form of invasive weeds. And these weeds can cause more problems than simply making your yard look overgrown.

For example, invasive weeds are notorious for choking off the water and nutrient supply of native flora. In fact, some invasive species such as many types of creeping vines will literally choke the surrounding plants in a fight for space. And if these weeds are allowed to proliferate, they can take over your entire lawn, your privacy fence, your trees, or even find their way onto your home.

Weed removal methods vary considerably. But the most common remedy is to use chemical herbicides. However, should you choose to use chemical herbicides you need to ensure that you won’t be causing any harm to yourself or to the local flora and fauna.

Unfortunately, many weed-killers can cause soil profiles to be altered, and are harmful to helpful insect species such as spiders, bees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators. As a precaution, it’s best to opt for natural weed removal remedies such as using white vinegar or a soap and water solution.

All in all, keeping your lawn looking great needs to become part of your maintenance routine. Otherwise, you’ll have your work cut out for you whenever you do take the time to perform maintenance and upkeep.