If the grass in your lawn takes forever to grow even after
you’ve followed all the instructions on how to take care of it, you may not
know what to do. Chances are, one of the following factors is the reason for
your lawn struggles. Learn what they are and how to fix them.
1. Poor Soil Conditions
Most people are familiar with the effects of poor soil
conditions on plants. When the soil is too dry, plants wilt and eventually die.
When the soil is too wet, plants can rot.
However, some homeowners don't realize that such poor soil
conditions can cause the grass on their lawns to grow slowly. The roots of
grass plants need oxygen to grow and thrive. When the soil is too wet, the
roots can't get the oxygen they need. As a result, the grass will grow slowly
or not at all.
In addition, compacted or waterlogged soil can make it
difficult for roots to spread and absorb nutrients. The grass will appear to
grow very slowly, which gives rise to a patchy and unhealthy lawn.
Soil pH is another factor that can affect lawn growth. Soil
that is too acidic or alkaline isn't conducive to grass growth. There needs to
be a pH balance to allow for proper grass growth. Without the right
balance, some nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorous, might not be
available to allow for proper grass growth.
If your landscaping expert discovers pH imbalances after a
soil test, they can add lime or sulfur to adjust the soil's pH level. Lime
makes the soil more alkaline, while sulfur makes it more acidic. Your lawn
specialist's recommendation will depend on what the soil pH test uncovers.
Your lawn care expert can also install drainage systems or
raised beds to improve air circulation. In addition, they can add sand or
organic matter (such as compost) to the soil to ensure that the roots breathe
and grow properly. If that's not enough, your lawn care specialist will use a
lawn aerator to break up the soil and improve drainage.
2. Excessive Heat and Sunlight
Most people consider heat and sunlight beneficial to plant
life. But in reality, too much of these elements can have the opposite effect
on grass.
Excessive heat can cause the grass to go into survival
mode, which further slows down its growth. Blades of grass will need to expend
more energy to stay cool, which leaves them with little energy available for
growth. As a result, the blades cannot photosynthesize and produce food for the
rest of the grass.
Roots also suffer severe damage from excessive heat.
They're often unable to absorb water and nutrients as well as they should. As a
result, the grass can't grow to replace old grass blades with new ones.
Sunlight also has a huge effect on grass growth. Too much
sunlight can cause the blades to become bleached and brittle. Excessive
sunlight can also cause the roots of the grass to dry out, which makes the
grass more susceptible to disease and insect damage.
You might need to water your lawn deeply and regularly to
combat this problem. This strategy will help keep your turf moist to encourage
healthy growth — even in direct heat or sunlight. In addition, you might need
to mow your lawn more frequently during the hot summer months. Doing so will
help to keep the blades short and protect them from the sun's harsh rays.
Your lawn care expert can install a lawn irrigation system
that will water your lawn on a schedule to ensure proper hydration in hot
weather. They can also recommend the best lawn fertilizers and grass seed to
use in your area to help your lawn thrive in extreme heat.
A bit of care can go a long way to ensure that your lawn is
healthy and at its best. Reach out to Wright
Turf for more helpful lawn care tips.
