Dallas Area Common Lawn Problems

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Dallas Area Common Lawn Problems

Brown spots

Brown or dead spots in the lawn could be caused by any number of things from various lawn diseases, to grub problems underneath the sod, to places where a pet dog urinates. An accurate diagnosis needs to be done by a trained specialist.

Weeds

Most weeds, or plants that we don't want growing in the yard, can be controlled. Some are best controlled early in the spring, others can be spot treated throughout the growing season. Still others, are best controlled in the fall. You can trust our trained lawn technicians to treat all of your weeds.

Bare Spots

Places in your lawn where the soil is clearly visible should first be examined to determine why there is no grass growing there. It could be that a large rock is just below the surface that makes it difficult for grass to grow. It could be that the soil is compacted there due to excess traffic (ie, a dog runs in that one area often). Usually, an aeration treatment and overseeding will help correct these bare spots in your lawn.

No lawn or a thin lawn in the shade

Extremely thin lawns and thin lawns in the shade could be two different problems. First, thin lawns in general are usually the result of neglect. Little or no fertilizer has been applied on a regular basis and the turf has depleted important soil nutrients. This usually results in an increase in weed growth.

Some grass types don't do well in shady areas. Others do better in the shade. By planting a suitable grass type may improve conditions. Also thinning tree branches out to allow more light can also improve the lawn's health.

Mushrooms in your lawn

Mushrooms, also called toadstools or puffballs, are fruiting bodies of soil fungi. They appear in lawns during wet weather in spring and summer. Mushrooms live on organic matter such as roots, stumps and boards in the soil. Most don't harm the lawn but are unsightly. Mushrooms that grow in arcs or circles of dark green grass are called fairy rings. The arcs or rings enlarge from 3 inches to 2 feet each season as the fungi grows outward. The fairy ring fungus may interfere with water flow through the soil and stress the lawn.

There is no chemical control for mushrooms. Time is the best cure. Once the buried wood has completely decayed the mushrooms will disappear. Break mushrooms with a garden rake or lawn mower for temporary control. This helps to dry the mushrooms and reduces the risk of children eating them. Control individual mushrooms by removing the organic matter. Dig up and remove the wood. Fill and reseed, or sod, as needed.

Moss growing in the lawn

Moss does not normally develop in healthy lawns. Lack of fertility, soil compaction, poor drainage, excessive shade and poor soil aeration are the most common cause of moss in lawns. Moss is not directly harmful to grass, but moves into bare spots in the lawn as the grass thins out. Lime has often been suggested for moss control. Lime will raise the soil pH but will do little or nothing to prevent moss growth. The fact that the soil is acidic has little to do with the growth of moss. In fact, we see moss growing on limestone and concrete. If your lawn area is moist and shady, you will have difficulty controlling moss because you have an ideal environment for moss growth. Moss is often troublesome in spring when temperature are cool and soil moisture high.

Dallas Area Common Lawn Problems