What Are Some for Lawn Rejuvenation?

Clay Creek wants to provide the best lawn rejuvenation tips to New Market, Westminster, and Owings Mills, MD.  Every homeowner knows the key to having the best curb appeal starts with having a beautiful lush green lawn. That’s why so many of us take it to heart when we walk out to see areas of the lawn that are thinning, turning yellow, with bare spots, or grass filled with weeds. Over the years, our knowledgeable team has found that following these ten steps gave outstanding results in rejuvenating lawns across Central Maryland.   

Repair areas that may be uneven.

A good starting point is to identify any areas of your lawn that may be uneven. If you have divots forming in the sod, you should add some compost and a handful of topsoil. Then rake the soil, so it levels out and water. For the area where you have bumps in the sod, you should remove approximately 2’ x 2’ square and fill it with soil and compost, and then water. Once the ground looks level, then replace the sod, you removed. 

Dethatch areas of your lawn.

What is thatch? It’s a thick layer of dead turfgrass that sits between the green part of the grass and the root system. It steals all the nutrients and oxygen, which causes stress to your lawn. When trying to keep thatch out of your lawn, don’t use too many pesticides. Did you know earthworms are one of the best ways to fight off thatch in your yard? A quick way to test an area for thatch is to take a shovel and grab a triangular-sized piece out of the grass approximately 2 inches deep. If you see that the thatch is about half of the piece’s size, you want to get out your dethatching rake and vigorously get to work. Keep in mind that if you leave some of the thatch in your lawn, it will help protect the roots from cold and hot temperatures. 

Fertilization

One of the best gifts you can give your yard is to fertilize it. When you feed your lawn, it helps give it a healthier root system to tackle drought, heat, cold, or foot traffic. Our recommendation is a slow-release fertilizer, which gradually takes the nutrients and breaks them down over time. This allows you to wait longer between applications, so instead of every four weeks, you can go for eight weeks.

Test your soil

The success of any lawn starts with well-balanced soil, so Spring or Fall are great times to test your soil. First, you want to make sure your PH levels aren’t too low or too high. By testing the soil, you measure how much acidity or alkalinity is in the lawn. Most lawns require a PH level between 6.0 to 7.0 to thrive during the growing season. Once you determine how healthy your soil is, you will have a better idea of what types of maintenance your lawn will need. You can get a tester at any garden store.

Aeration

A vital part of lawn rejuvenation is to aerate your yard. When you aerate your lawn, it adds nutrients and oxygen to the soil. It also helps to reduce soil compaction and removes thatch which creates an unhealthy environment that harbors diseases and insects. You should never pick up soil plugs after aeration, as they will decompose back into the ground and add microorganisms and nutrients to help give the grass a strong root system. 

Overseeding

Aeration and overseeding are the best tag team you can have when trying to rejuvenate your lawn. Aeration opens up the soil and gives quick access for seeds to find a healthy environment to grow. You can overseed by hand or with a slit seeder which will plant seeds automatically; either way, you want to add a thin layer of compost, approximately ¼ inch, to the top of the area in the lawn you will be seeding. This is called Top Dressing and a great way to help seeds germinate. Be sure to water regularly as seeds need their nutrients to have a healthy growing season. 

Water Regularly

Giving your lawn the water it needs is vital to getting the best results from lawn rejuvenation. In addition, having an irrigation system is one of the best investments you can make to add value to your home. When trying to cover a large area like your lawn, you want to install a sprinkler system. This system runs off different style nozzles so that you can target every corner of your lawn. Always add water once you complete any lawn rejuvenation, as it helps create a strong root system.  

Weed Control

Looking out and seeing a field of weeds is the quickest way to take away any curb appeal. Did you know that weeds fight with your grass for nutrients? So what better way to rejuvenate your lawn than to take care of those annoying weeds. Be sure to read any labels before applying because different herbicides can damage your grass. We suggest letting our experienced team handle your weed control and give yourself some valuable time back in your day.

How important is pest control?

One of the biggest concerns when rejuvenating your lawn is to make sure you control any pests that may be causing havoc in your yard. Did you know there are over 500 insects that can find a home on your lawn? It could be Grubs, Chinch Bugs, or Sod Webworm; whatever it may be, it’s best to bring in a professional and take the guesswork out of what will give you the quickest results.  

Should I hire a professional?

Are you ready for the best step to follow for lawn rejuvenation or property in general? Allow our experienced team to do the job for you. We are eager to provide you with superior landscaping, hardscaping, drainage solutions, and more! We can help you get the best curb appeal in the neighborhood!