HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-02, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013.How to manage different types of lawn damage
MS –Lawn care aficionados know
how a single bald spot can make an
otherwise luscious lawn look worn
down and poorly maintained. A bald
spot can stick out like a sore thumb,
while several bald spots can compro-
mise a home’s curb appeal.
Treating bald spots typically
depends on what is causing the bald
spot. Bugs, dryness, pet waste and
damage from mowers are some of
the more common causes of bald
spots. The following is a breakdown
of these different causes and how
best to address each situation so you
can restore your lawn to its natural
beauty.
• Dryness: A lawn can go dry
because of drought in the summer-
time or during the winter months
when there is not much rain or snow-
fall. Homeowners cannot change the
weather, but they can help their lawn
avoid becoming the burned or yel-
lowed turf that often results after
extended periods of dryness.
Fertilizing the lawn during the
spring and summer is a good first
step. This helps the lawn grow in
healthy and thick. Once you have
fertilized, don’t cut the grass too
short. When grass is cut too short,
the soil struggles to retain moisture,
which can eventually lead to bald
spots if weather conditions are dry.
During especially dry periods in the
summer, watering might be neces-
sary. You won’t have to water fre-
quently, but be sure to water deeply
so the water can reach the roots of
the grass.
Pet Waste: Waste from pets can
cause bald spots on a yard. This
might surprise some homeowners,
but pet waste contains a high level of
concentrated nitrogen that, when
applied to a lawn, can burn the grass
and cause bald spots. Urine is most
likely to cause bald spots, but fecal
matter can as well.
When addressing the problem of
pet waste on your lawn, make sure
no one else’s pets are the cause of the
problem. Neighbours out walking
their dogs should be discouraged
from allowing their dogs to use your
lawn as a restroom. If this does not
work, then erect a fence or some
type of structure that makes it diffi-
cult for other people’s pets to access
your lawn.
When it’s your own pet causing
the damage, address the spots where
your pet relieves itself as quickly as
possible. Watering the area within
eight hours can significantly reduce
the risk of lawn damage by diluting
the nitrogen levels. Another way to
address the issue is to encourage the
animal to use various spots in the
yard, rather than continually using
the same spot. Flush each area with
water immediately after the pet is
finished. If the damage is already
considerable, remove the damaged
grass and reseed the spot.• Mower Damage: SometimesMother Nature and man’s best friendare not the culprits with regard tobald spots on your lawn. Humanerror can cause bald spots, too. Dullmower blades or grass that is cut toolow can cause bald spots.Fortunately, this is easily remedied.To avoid bald spots, make sure
mower blades are sharpened at the
beginning of each mowing season,
as dull blades damage the grass,
which is then forced to use valuable
nutrients to treat torn grass, weaken-
ing the lawn over time. When mow-
ing, make sure you’re not cutting too
low so the soil can retain as much
moisture as possible. This will
necessitate more frequent mowing,
but this, too, can prevent bald spots,
as it ensures those parts of the grassthat contain chlorophyll will not beremoved.Bald spots can turn a pristine lawn into an eyesore. But treating baldspots can be easy and, when doneeffectively, the lawn can be restoredquickly.
Continued from page 12
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Cute damage
As cute as dogs may be, they can be a pest when it comes
to your lawn. Here are some tips to manage that damage
and keep your lawn looking healthy. (MS photo)
Compost
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