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Can we talk about bald spots? not in your pate. on your property. Those unsightly bare spots in your yard.
A senior Golf.com editor has been grappling with this problem. In his otherwise lush garden, there are succulent areas where he won’t take seed. You may also be dealing with this.
What is going wrong? Is it time to soak instead?
Steve Saro is the Lands Manager for Pinehurst Country Club, in Denver, Colorado, and a longtime member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
We asked him to run us through potential nudity issues and options for dealing with them.
improper watering
It could be over watering. or under watering. Or water so hard that you wash out the seeds. Seeds do not need to be flooded. Light and frequent watering is the way to go. Depending on the weather, four to five minutes, three to four times a day, should do the trick. “It’s really in the top inch or two (of the soil) where the magic happens,” Saroo says. After about 10 to 14 days, the young grass should start to get established.
Soil problems
It shouldn’t come as a shock that grass doesn’t do well in unhealthy soil. But that probably isn’t the problem — not if the rest of the lawn is lush. It could be that the earth is excessively compacted, or that the seeds have been scattered on the surface; They need proper soil contact to do their job. In any case, ground preparation is important. It doesn’t take a lot of work, just a light pass with a garden rake to loosen the soil surface. When it’s time to sow, use the same garden rake, or even your hands, to gently work the seeds into the soil.
animal activity
Golfers aren’t the only ones who feel comfortable. Dogs can be a problem, especially female dogs, Saro says, since their urine is high in nitrogen, which can be toxic to turf. And don’t even get us started on birds and rodents; For them, the seeds make a delicious meal. The good news is that a simple fence with netting can provide protection. Any barrier, really, to keep animals out, as long as it allows airflow and moisture.
Limited bandwidth
The bottom line is, it takes more seed to babysit than it does an asshole, so if you’re on the road a lot, or you’re trapped in Zoom calls all day, you may not have the time or energy for it. As with any homework, a lot depends on your schedule and appetite for the work itself. If you don’t have the bandwidth to babysit a newborn, a fool might be the way to go.
seasonal considerations
In general, spring and early fall are the best times to plant new grass, as it can be difficult for the seeds to germinate in the summer heat. Searing temperatures can be harsh on the flesh, too, but they stand a better chance than the seeds.
Shadi the earth
“The lawn grass doesn’t compete well with the trees,” Saroo says. This is a big topic (to be covered in Super Secrets shortly), but here’s a CliffNotes version: Trees may starve grass of sunlight. Pruning or removing trees is a possible solution. But we’ll get to that at another time. For now, simply note that if parts of your lawn are severely shaded, you may have to live with suboptimal lawns.
Right steps with sod
So, are you going with the sod? They cost a little more than seeds but require less effort. Since you are working on small patches, you will not need to purchase a full pallet. That would be a waste. If there is a sod nursery in your area, call them and see if they can sell you a roll of sod. Another option is to pull a piece of healthy grass from some other spot around your home and replant it in the vacant spot; Perhaps there is an area in the back, hidden from view, where a little bit of lawn won’t be missed so hard. You can dig this grass up with a garden shovel, making sure you go deep enough to get rid of the roots as well). As with seeds, you’ll need to prepare the ground, making sure it’s level (if it’s bumpy and bumpy, the grass won’t root evenly). If there is an old plant in the ground, remove it along with any other rotting organic matter. You don’t want any barriers between the grass and the soil. Sod does not require as frequent watering as seed; Saro says that drinking one or two healthy fluids per day is usually sufficient; Enough so that when you step on the grass barefoot, you see water around your feet. Make sure the area drains well, though, as you don’t want your meat to sit in puddles of water for extended periods. After about a week, the lawn should be established enough that you can switch to regular watering patterns.