Thinareas in the lawn aren't just unsightly, they can also lead to worseproblems like weed invasion or loss of topsoil from erosion. Athinning lawn is systematic of other problems in the landscape.Address the problem and then choose a method to fix the thin area toavoid further lawn problems in the future.
CommonCauses of Thinning Lawns
Culturalproblems are the most common cause of thin lawns, which you canusually remedy yourself during lawn repair. If you suspect pest ordisease are at the root of the lawn problem, then having professionaltreatment for the culprit prior to repairing the lawn may benecessary.
ShadeIssues
Lawnsin shady areas tend to be most prone to thinning. Heavy tree coversor shade from nearby structures are usually the culprit. Although youcan have trees removed or thinned out, choosing a lawn grass thatthrives in shadier conditions offers another solution. St. Augustineand zoysia grasses provide a warm season option for shade, while agood cool season option is one of the many fescue grasses thatare available.
DroughtStress
Grassneeds water to grow lush and thick. As a general rule of thumb,provide 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water weekly. Thatch buildup andcompacted soil can also reduce the amount of water that reaches grassroots. Thatch removal and soil aeration will remedy the problem somoisture can once again soak into the soil.
NutrientDeficiency
Weakgrass growth is sometimes a result of poor soil nutrition. Lawns needa combination fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, andpotassium, along with other trace nutrients. Fertilize in spring whentemperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and grass growth hasresumed. A mid-summer and early fall fertilizer treatment can alsolead to healthier growth.
Methodsto Repair a Thin Lawn
Youhave two main options for repairing a thin lawn: overseeding or sodinstallation. The option you choose depends on the extent of theproblem and your budget.
Overseeding
Overseedingworks well on large areas, particularly if you are on a strictbudget. To overseed, mow the lawn short and rake up any clippings andthatch. Then, spread seed over the lawn. You must keep the seed moistuntil it has sprouted and the roots have established, which can takeseveral weeks. Overseeding is typically performed in spring or earlysummer when the grass is actively growing.
Themain drawback with overseeding is that it takes some time for thebare areas to fill in. You may need to stay off the lawn until it iswell established, or the grass will quickly thin again. Overseedingtends to work best when it is done annually on areas that tend tothin quickly, such as along heavily trafficked pathways.
SodInstallation
Forthose looking to repair only a small area or those that want animmediate solution over an area of any size, sod is the best choice.Sod provides an instant lawn because initial root establishmentoccurs in as little as two weeks. Your thin lawn problems aren'tlikely to return if the underlying issues have been addressed priorto the installation.
Youmust perform more in depth preparation before you can install sod.The old grass requires removal. Then, the soil needs to be tested sothe proper fertilizers and soil amendments can be added. Once this isdone, the sod is laid on top the ground and firmed into place. Aftera few days of regular watering, the roots will anchor into the soilbeneath the sod and active grass growth will resume.
Contactus formore information on sod care and installation.
FAQs
Lack of Fertilizer
There's no question about it, grass needs regular fertilizing in order to grow thick, fill in, and stay healthy. And if your lawn needs a little more food than you're currently giving it, areas of thin grass can spread. Don't worry—it's never too late to get back into a good lawn fertilizing routine.
How do I reduce the thickness of my lawn? ›
Mowing low
Getting in a couple of low-mows and gradually reducing the height of your lawn will reduce the thatch layer in your lawn. A good time to do this is towards the end of spring when the lawn is establishing quickly and will have time to recover.
How do you fix a sparse lawn? ›
If your lawn is thin and sparse all over, or if it just looks unhealthy and worn out, overseeding in autumn is worth a try. To overseed, begin by mowing your lawn at the lowest setting, then rake and bag the clippings. Use a spreader to apply a high-quality grass seed directly over the top of the old lawn.
How do you seed a thin lawn? ›
Overseeding is a fast, inexpensive way to help bring your lawn back to its lush, green self without tearing everything out and starting over.
- Mow Low. Before overseeding your thin lawn, cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. ...
- Choose a Grass Seed. ...
- Improve the Soil. ...
- Spread the Seed. ...
- Feed and Water.
Using sand based topdressing can improve your soil's drainage and firm up the surface. This works particularly well after aeration as the topdressing can be worked into the soil through the holes left behind. Spreading peat-based topdressing can improve the drought tolerance of your lawn.
What is the best fertilizer to thicken grass? ›
The best fertilizer to thicken grass must contain Phosphorus. It's an essential nutrient that helps to stimulate root growth and enhance plant vigor and soil tests have revealed it is greatly needed in our region.
How to make a lawn thicker and greener? ›
- Test Your Soil. Roots depend on healthy, nutritious soil to grow green and lush grass. ...
- Fertilize Your Lawn. A big part of knowing how to make your lawn greener is choosing the right fertilizer. ...
- Kill Weeds and Unwanted Insects. ...
- Use Grass Seed. ...
- Water Your Lawn. ...
- Aerate Your Lawn. ...
- Replace Lawn Mower Blades.
A day or two before applying fertilizer, water your lawn thoroughly. After grass dries, apply fertilizer. Then lightly water again. This second watering is vitally important, because it washes fertilizer off grass blades and into soil.
What to do with a thick lawn? ›
You can use a rake, but when it's too thick, you will need to scarify or verti-mow the lawn. To do this, mow the lawn multiple times and lower the mower on each subsequent cut across the entire area, until you have removed most signs of green growth.
Does cutting lawn make it thicker? ›
As long as you don't cut more than 1/3 off the top, and keep the total leaf height to at least 5cm, regular mowing keeps your grass healthy, and promotes lateral growth. When you stop grass from being able to grow taller, it redirects the energy into sending off new shoots, resulting in thicker grass!
Aerate your lawn
Poking holes into the soil will help water, air, and nutrients get down deep into the soil to improve root development, giving you a thicker, healthier lawn.
How to fix a terrible lawn? ›
Here's what our experts recommend:
- Mow high and regularly. Mowing high produces stronger, healthier grass with deeper roots and fewer weeds and pest problems. ...
- Mulch when you mow. ...
- Water early and deeply. ...
- Fertilize frequently. ...
- Test your soil. ...
- Don't let leaves pile up. ...
- Consider local lawn services. ...
- Supervise lawn services.
Lightly rake the healthy areas to get rid of dying grass and aerate the soil for root stimulation. Once you have the land prepared, take a rotary seed spreader and lay down new grass seed over the dead spots. Using a lawn roller, gently press the seeds into the soil of the dead spots.
Will thin grass fill in? ›
No, most grass will not fill in bare spots on its own. While a few types of grass will spread via their underground root systems, most patches on grass need to be seeded.
Will grass thicken on its own? ›
Thick grass crowds out weeds, stands up better to pests and disease, and looks way better hanging out in your front yard. Will grass thicken on its own? Nice try, but no.
Why is the lawn thin? ›
Reasons Grass is Disappearing
Grass thrives on full sun, so if you have shady areas, a fence that has just gone up, or a new tree blocking sunlight, you may start to lose patches of green. There are, of course, other potential issues if you know your lawn is getting enough sunlight: Drought and lack of water.
