Landscape designer Douglas Owens-Pike offers tips for battling problem lawn areas.
- Turf-grass may have problems growing because of shade, high traffic/poor soil or from compaction due to heavy vehicles being driven across a lawn. One solution to these problems is to re-seed them. There are also a number of ground-cover alternatives that can be used to replace the lawn.
- Loosen the soil in the problem area. Add a 1/2-inch layer of compost or peat moss to condition the soil, along with enough good soil to raise the level of the damaged area one inch above the soil level of the surrounding turf. Lightly walk over the spot and fill in any holes or low places. Re-seed, matching the primary species in your yard.
- When spreading the grass seed, spread it in two passes by hand. Grab a handful of seed and start by spreading the seed with a left-to-right wrist motion. The second pass should be perpendicular to the first pass.
- One way to prevent erosion after planting grass seed is to use straw mulch, which helps conserve the soil moisture and protects the seeds until they germinate. Use the back of a metal rake to sink the straw into the soil. This will keep the straw from blowing around in the wind.
- The best time to repair a lawn is in early spring or early fall, depending, of course, on the part of the country in which it is planted.
- Ground covers are the original landscape problem solvers. Although it takes a little time and patience to establish ground covers, these plants form a ground-hugging companion for taller plants and trees. They protect the soil from erosion as they spread. Best of all, they don't have to be mowed. Choose the best ground covers to adapt to dry, wet and shady conditions of property. Some examples of ground covers are the following: pachysandra, ajuga, periwinkle, daylilies and ornamental grasses.
- Underplanting trees is a good way to use ground covers. By planting around trees, the trunks will not be injured by being scraped with a lawn mower. It also eliminates the need for having to trim around trees.
- If you use native ground covers, look for plants that will handle the climate conditions in your area of the country. This results in plantings that take less time and resources to maintain. Some examples of ground covers that are native to the Minneapolis area are buffalo grass, Pennsylvania sedge, prairiesmoke, pussytoes or wild strawberry. To find out the ground covers native to your area, contact your local county extension agent.
- When planting Pennsylvania sedge for example, destroy the turf by using a nonselective herbicide. Be sure to follow the directions. Another nonchemical solution is to put down newspaper and mulch to kill the turf. After waiting several weeks, plant through the mulch and newspaper. The newspaper will kill the turf, and because of the lack of light, it will not permit any annual weeds to sprout.
