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aakesh_patel

Help with patchy lawn

6 years ago


Hello, my lawn has certain patches of grass that grows lush and green the other patches that don’t seem to grow thick no matter what I do. (overseed, aerate, fertilize ) Any ideas to help?

Comments (4)

  • 6 years ago

    Where do you live?

    What kind of grass do you have?

    What is your watering schedule? How often and for how long do you water?

    When were the last two times you fertilized and what did you use?

    Aakesh Patel thanked dchall_san_antonio
  • 6 years ago

    Where do you live? - New Jersey

    What kind of grass do you have? - Unsure (I reseed with Scotts sun & Shade mix)

    What is your watering schedule? - Water once a day early morning.

    How often and for how long do you water? - Water for 20 minutes.

    When were the last two times you fertilized and what did you use? - This season I have only fertilized once (Trugreen fertilizer and broad leaf herbicide)

  • 6 years ago

    The problem seems to be different kinds of grasses awakening at different rates. That is compounded and perpetuated by improper watering. You're watering is the worst second only to never watering at all. Also you fertilized too early, but that's not the problem with the clumpy look.

    Watering: Deep and infrequent is the mantra for watering. Deep means 1 inch all at one time. That might take 20 minutes for you or, for me, it takes 8 full hours with my oscillator sprinkler set on full sweep. You'll have to measure the time it takes for your system. Put out some tuna or cat food cans. Time how long it takes to fill all the cans. That is your new watering time, every time. As for frequency, it depends more on daily high temperature than anything else, but humidity can have a big effect on tuning this up. First of all here are the basics. With temps below 70 degrees F, deep water once a month. Mother Nature often takes care of this for you. I'm in Southish Texas and have not watered yet. Some years I don't water until July. With temps from 70 to 80, water once every 3 weeks. With temps from 80 to 90, water once every 2 weeks. With temps from 90 to 100 water once per week. I could go higher, but you won't need that for New Jersey. At this time of year you might be able to switch cold turkey to deep and infrequent watering. Watch the grass for signs of drying out. If it dries out before the temperature would indicate, deep water again and watch it. If you get a front that brings excessively low humidity, you may have to water earlier than than the guidance would tell you.

    Mowing: Your lawn should be mowed at the highest setting or one notch lower than the highest - your choice. Tall grass and deep watering will give you the appearance you're looking for.

    Fertilizing: Next year wait until late May to fertilize...unless you forgot to fertilize/winterize last fall. You're going to need to fertilize it again in late May even though you already fertilized. Normal fertilizing in your area would be late May, early Sept, and late November. You have to ignore all the advertising in the early spring. They are selling fertilizer. If they can convince you to apply in early spring, then you will need it again in late May. They get two sales per yard.


  • 6 years ago

    Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me.