Does your lawn appear like it’s struggling to survive? Are you thinking of a lawn renovation? If you’re tired of looking at weeds while wondering how to revive dead grass, don’t feel discouraged because there is hope! If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty and you have a little patience, it is possible to bring your lawn back from the dead. In this article, we’ll review some easy tricks that the pros use for a lawn renovation and we’ll talk about the best time to repair a lawn.

Tidy Up The Yard

Not sure where to start with how to fix a lawn? Your grass might be starved of the nutrients and oxygen it needs because there are too many trimmings, leaves and other organic matter in the way. You need to remove them ASAP. This process is called “dethatching” and you should try to do it once a year in the spring or fall if your layer of thatch is more than one inch thick.

Play It Straight

A level lawn is a happy lawn—not to mention a safer place to travel! Wondering how to repair a lawn? Here are some ways you can fix the dips and bumps across your yard.

  • For The Dips: Mix some topsoil and compost, then fill the dip. It’s that simple. Rake it out so it’s smooth as you desire. If the area is on the larger side, cut out the piece of sod, fill it with your topsoil/compost mixture, replace the sod and gently press it down until it’s level with the rest of your lawn.
  • For The Bumps: Cut out a four-square foot section of sod around the bump in question and remove some of the extra dirt beneath it. Add some of your compost/soil mixtures and get it really wet with a hose. Cover the area back up with sod.

It’s All About Chemistry

If you want to know how to revive dead grass, your lawn needs good chemistry if you want it to look its best. To do this, test your soil’s pH levels. It can’t be too high or too low—it needs to be “just right”. The simplest way to do this is by buying a home pH soil testing kit from your local home or garden centre.

Feed The Need

If your yard is looking brown, it might just need something to eat. And in this case, we’re talking about fertilizer. Look for a fertilizer designated as a “slow-release” type of product. This will ensure the healthiest lawn possible. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully because if you use too much, your lawn could grow out of control. There are also environmental concerns with too much fertilizer getting into your neighbourhood’s stormwater drainage system. If you are planning to plant grass seed in your yard, add some fertilizer one week ahead of time and use water to make the fertilizer soak into the soil.

Microbe Management

You can’t see them, but your lawn is crawling with millions upon millions of microscopic organisms and tonnes of microbial life. Any soil you use should contain some amount of organic material, such as compost, as much as 5%.

Give It Some Air

One reason your lawn is looking tired might be a lack of oxygen. That’s where aeration comes in. The easy way to remedy this is to use an aerator that literally pokes many holes in your lawn. Doing this will allow organic matter and fertilizer to reach your lawn’s roots system.

Add Grass Seed

Need to know how to reseed a patchy lawn? Adding some grass seed can help make your lawn look fuller. You want to make sure that your lawn is dethatched (see above) and thoroughly soaked with water. Then you can start spreading your seed around. After seeding, add a light layer or topsoil and compost. It’s important to consider where you live before you plant new grass seed. If you live in northern climates like we do here in Canada, you should seed in early fall or late summer, whereas our friends south of the border in warmer climates will seed in early summer.

Love Your Lawn

For the best results after seeding, make sure you lightly water your lawn twice a day, in the morning and again in the afternoon. If you keep up with this routine, your seeds should be already two inches tall within six weeks! Now it’s time to add some more fertilizer and jump to a less frequent watering schedule. Do not mow your lawn until your new grass seed hits the two-inch mark.

Gauge Your Water Levels

During every watering, you should be aiming to get about half an inch of water on your grass. You should be able to achieve this after about 20 minutes of watering. Put your garden shovel into the ground and inspect the soil. You’ll see a dark line where the water made it to. Now you’ll be able to see if you need to adjust your water times based on your hose nozzle or sprinkler type.

Get A Superstar Sprinkler

The best type of sprinkler for your lawn is an oscillating one because it covers the most area with very light amounts of water so you don’t risk ruining your newly laid seed. For new seeds, water twice a day unless it rains. If your region is going through a drought or dry spell, you may need to water even more than usual. Soil should be damp and not soggy. If you’re worried about forgetting or you’re not home at the optimal watering times, consider buying a timer for your hose. They are relatively cheap and you can buy them at any hardware store or garden centre.

If you’re serious about having a great looking lawn, you need to make a serious time commitment and develop a rigid routine. Many people don’t have the time or desire to do that and we get it! Your life is busy juggling work and family. That’s why the landscaping and lawn care pros at ISR Gardening are here. We are the Greater Toronto Area’s leading lawn care consultants, helping homeowners across the region achieve the lawns and gardens of their dreams. It’s never too late to bring your lawn back from the dead! Call us now for a free consultation.