How To Revive Your Lawn When It Looks Dead & Gone

For a lawn-care enthusiast, nothing can be as heartbreaking as watching a once-healthy, vibrant yard turn into a parched and brown lawn. There are several reasons the health and well-being of your yard may decline into a less-than-satisfactory state: poor-quality soils, drought, poor preparation, pest infestation, grass diseases, improper watering, and other yard-related ailments. 

The good news is that you can revive your lawn! To rejuvenate a lifeless front or backyard, you’ll need to implement expert-recommended yard care practices. Because a homeowner is at the will of the elements and hungry pests, yard-care enthusiasts can find it daunting to salvage a dead-and-gone yard if they aren’t consulting the experts and researching the tips-and-tricks necessary to maintain a lush, green lawn. If you are dealing with pest infestations or patchy, browning grass,  follow these simple steps to revive your lawn to its original state. With the help of companies like Nature’s Seed, you can revive your lawn and your yard will be your neighborhood’s gold standard. 

Here are a few tips to help you revive your lawn quickly!

Step 1: Scalp the grass

The first and most critical step to revive your lawn is to scalp the grass. Remember, how you choose to scalp your yard will significantly impact its appearance. Proper scalping will increase the turf’s health, improve the quality of your yard, and minimize weeds, while improper grass scalping technique can cause long-term damage. 

So while scalping, ensure you put your mower on the lowest setting to cut the grass as short as possible. Additionally, ensure you keep the mower blades sharp and try to mow in a different pattern each time you mow your yard. A homeowner can also mow often to avoid bagging the clippings. 

Following this step to a tee can help revive your lawn, treat dormant, straw-colored turf, promote earlier green-up, and prevent weed and thatch issues throughout cold and hot seasons.

Step 2: Choose a new grass type that better matches your region and usage

Selecting the right grass seed for your yard can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with your soil type. Finding the best grass is not as easy as tossing a bag off the shelf into your cart. Keep in mind that there is a wide selection of grass types to choose from, and there isn’t a single one-size-fits-all grass type suitable for all applications or regions. You may need to match the grass type to your regional climate in order to revive your lawn.

Warm-season Grasses

Warm-season grass types usually thrive in the Southern regions of the United States. They flourish during the hot seasons and become dormant during winter months.

Cool-season grasses

Cool-season grass adapts to the Northern region’s cold temperatures that often fall beyond freezing. They grow best during the spring and fall and then become dormant when summer approaches. Unlike warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses can endure wind, hail, and snow. 

After identifying the best grass type for your yard, ensure you match the grass with your application method to make sure you have a healthy lawn.

Step 3: Seed your lawn

Once you find a new grass type suitable for your region and usage, the next step is to seed your lawn. Whether you settle for pure seed, mixes, or blends, you’ll need to follow the right procedure to revive your lawn and achieve optimal results. 

Before you begin the seeding process, level and smooth the surface, add topsoil, compost, and starter fertilizer, then work the add-ons into the soil. Use a weighted roller to roll the surface before spreading the grass at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. The next step is to mulch with a weed-free straw type. You can also use a seed starter mat to help protect the soil and prevent grass seed from blowing away in the wind. 

Experts recommend using a mixture of yard seed varieties that will merge the benefits of different seed types and guarantee your yard will survive damaging diseases, insect attacks, and adverse weather conditions.

Step 4: Fertilize the lawn

When applying fertilizer, you’ll first need to check the package for the best application method. Most lawn fertilizers require that you mow for a few days before application. You’ll also need to water your lawn before applying it, so timing application before rainfall is wise. For those fertilizers that contain weed killers, only spray them when the grass is moist.

Fertilizing your lawn the right way can quickly revive your lawn and help keep your grass looking beautiful and healthy later too. This process also helps thicken your grass so that it can maintain a deep, eye-catching green color. Nitrogen is one of the essential ingredients for a thriving yard. Basic yard knowledge suggests that each grass type will require a different amount of fertilizer to achieve peak growth. The number of times you fertilize will impact your yard appearance, as well. The frequency of application will also inform necessary yard maintenance. For example, if you fertilize more often, then you’ll have to mow regularly.

Step 5: Continue to water and care for the grass while it grows

Water is essential in order to revive your lawn and to help your garden to flourish. Grass seeds require a substantial amount of water to grow and establish strong roots. Proper watering practices demand that you start watering your lawn right before seeding. After seeding, you’ll need to continue watering based on your lawn needs. 

In order to quickly revive your lawn, make sure you keep the topsoil moist. However, avoid sopping the ground. You should monitor your lawn and water levels as soon as you start noticing signs of dryness. Keeping a close eye on your yard’s moisture levels is especially important, as hydration can affect the germination process. You should also inspect your grass to identify shady patches around the lawn that may require less watering than areas with high sunlight exposure.

Conclusion 

Don’t accept the declining health of your yard. Take a stand against outdoor pests, water according to your lawn’s needs, and invest in a high-quality grass seed for optimal results and revive your lawn today!