Lawn Problems
Lawn Problems and How to get Rid of Them
Lawn problems can be hard to identify, even for veteran landscapers. There are various categories that most lawn issues fall into: drainage problems, moles, moss, weeds, lawn disease and insects.
Too much or not enough water can cause lawn problems. Test your yard by taking a soil sample, and having an expert look it over. You may be able to see if it's too wet or too dry without assistance, if the problem is obvious.
Moles can be a problem in any yard. They leave entry holes that look like small volcanoes, and they leave small tunnels all over your yard. You can use tunnel-flooding or traps to get rid of your mole problem.
Moss is one of the easier lawn problems to diagnose, because it can grow even where grass can't. It does make a barrier that helps you control erosion, so you don't necessarily have to get rid of it, if it doesn't bother you. It looks better than bare dirt, and is caused by acidic soil or a lack of sunlight. You can get rid of moss fairly easily if you decide that's what you want to do. Use a product like Moss-be-Gone.
Weeds are a very common lawn issue. They are more than just an eyesore, since they also compete for space, nutrients and water with your grass. Weeds love scalped lawns, so leave your lawn a bit longer if you're mowing it short. You can also treat weeds with an herbicide that's specifically made for that weed.
Lawn disease is one of the harder lawn problems to diagnose. You or your landscaper will probably need a microscope to see what is responsible, be it virus, bacteria or fungus. Symptoms include irregular or circular brown grass patches, or a browning or thinning in different parts of your yard.
Insects are easily identified if they are the source of your lawn problems. They can generally be seen on the grass' surface, or if you pull back some grass. Some common lawn insects are chinch bugs and grubs. Other animals like moles, raccoons or skunks may dig holes in your yard so they can get to the insects and eat them. Insects will usually affect your whole lawn, or a big chunk of it. You can treat for this problem with insecticides. Make sure your children and your pets stay out of the yard after you treat it.
In the fall or spring, you may find pythium blight. This shows up as water-soaked, blackened patches of flat grass, two to six inches in diameter. If your weather is humid, you may find fuzzy areas on your grass. Blight will kill your grass within twenty-four hours, and new grasses won't grow in the affected areas.
Lawn problems can vary in their severity and in how difficult they are to treat, but if you keep your eyes open and catch issues early, they will be easier to resolve.