Why Your Lawn has Bald Patches

does your lawn have bald patches?

It might be the same lawn you have had for years

or it could be pretty freshly laid turf.

There are a few reasons why lawns can develop bald patches,

and some aren't that well known

1. ANIMAL URINE

This has to be the most common reason Primarily from dogs but it can be from other animals The ammonia in urine kills grass pretty fast

Remember just because you don't own an animal

doesn't mean there aren't animals coming in to your garden

If you have a dog try to get them to pee in one area Alternatively water the area down straight after

to dilute the ammonia

2. TOO DRY

You can't really water turf too much

And just because it rains hard doesn't mean

it has had enough water.

Grass needs consistent watering

not a short sharp burst

Roots from trees and hedges

can reach a long way

and steal water from the grass

Try getting a sprinkler and leave it on the lawn for 30 minutes

before moving it to the next area

3. USE

It sounds obvious

but if your lawn takes a lot of traffic

it will kill the grass

If that's because the kids use the lawn

as a football field

then it's probably worth putting up with a few

bald patches whilst they enjoy themselves

4. COMPACTED SOIL

If turf is laid on soil that is too compact

the roots of the turf struggle to burrow down

and make themselves at home.

Before laying turf make sure the soil

is "fluffed up"

A light passing with a rotivator

or a heavy session with the rake should be enough

5. NOT ENOUGH SOIL

New turf needs a good 3 inches of top soil

This provides enough depth for the roots

to take hold

Beware, not all soil is created equal

some comes with all kinds of junk in it.

The soil you want for turfing is top soil

6. INSECTS OR DISEASE

This doesn't happen that often

but it does happen,

especially with new turf

It can come or become diseased

or infested with bugs or grubs

that eat all of the nutrients and leave nothing behind

If this is the case

dig out the "bad" turf immediately

and an area around it

Dig down a good depth

and then put in fresh soil and fresh turf

HELPING YOUR LAWN RECOVER

If your lawn is struggling

but it doesn't need replacing with fresh turf

the temptation can be to tinker with it too much

you start scarifying it, running the aerator around,

throwing magnesium sulphate all over the place.

now all those treatments have a place

but most of the time they aren't needed

instead sprinkle some weed and feed

that contains grass seed over the bald area

and surrounding areas

Apply it a couple of days after you mow

And water it in well, very well

Water it like a wet weekend at Download Festival

Until the ground would squelch between your toes

Then raise your lawn mower by a level

so it cuts higher

and mow no more than once a fortnight

Give it a month and see if there is any progress.

Good luck!