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Doing These 5 Things Damages Your Lawn

Your lawn is one of the first things that passersby notice. Your neighbors also have a vested interest in the appearance of your lawn. A healthy, vigorous lawn is also a source of pride for many homeowners. You may be surprised to learn that some everyday activities you might be doing could cause damage to your lawn. Read on to learn about five common actions that could be harmful to your lawn's health.

 

Washing Your Car

 

Washing your car removes the automotive fluids, dirt, dust and bird droppings that harm its finish and promote corrosion. However, letting the dirty water drain onto your lawn is harmful to the grass. Automotive fluids and the cleaning agents in the car washing solution may damage the root systems of the plants. They may also burn the fronds of grass, inhibiting photosynthesis and causing the grass to turn brown.

 

Not Rotating Lawn Furniture or Toys

 

Sandboxes, picnic tables and lawn chairs enhance your enjoyment of the yard. However, leaving them in the same place for weeks or even months causes the lawn to die. The grass can't respire. It isn't able to capture sunlight for photosynthesis. It may even experience root rot because moisture won't be able to evaporate from the cells. Rotate the placement of outdoor toys and lawn furniture every three to five days.

 

Dumping Pool Water and Liquid Household Waste

 

Pool water contains chlorine, which is harmful to your lawn. Too much water in a short amount of time is also bad for your lawn. If you need to drain your pool, it's best to hook it up to a hose and connect it to your sewer line. Pouring liquid household waste, such as grease, water from mopping the floor or cooking oil onto your lawn also causes damage.

 

Applying Home Remedies for Pests

 

If you notice grubs, ants, pillbugs or other pests in your lawn, you might be tempted to try some home remedies. These pest control solutions may seem like a good idea, especially if you have children or pets and don't want to put pesticides on the lawn. However, many home remedies are useless against pests and will harm your lawn. You should avoid anything containing bleach, borax or vinegar as these chemicals can cause significant damage. 

 

Leaving Animal Waste

 

Dogs are man's best friend, but they're not a friend to your lawn. Dogs often urinate in the same place. If your neighbors walk their dogs, your lawn could be getting a lot of concentrated animal urine in the same small area. This is harmful to your lawn. Dog feces also causes damage to the grass. The presence of this solid waste also attracts bugs and other pests, which may decide to take up residence in your yard. Remove dog waste as soon as your dog is finished with its business. Water the areas of your lawn where neighborhood dogs urinate.

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5 Ways to Fix a Bald Area in the Middle of Your Yard

One of the most frustrating things for homeowners is constantly seeing a bald area right in the center of their yard. You've tried keeping the surrounding grass at a decent size, watering it, and everything in between, but that pesky bald area still remains. So, is there any way to truly remedy this issue? Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do. The following list includes five ways to fix that ugly looking bald area in the middle of your yard. 

 

1. Removing Bad Soil

 

One of the telltale signs that you have bad soil is the look and texture of it. If it feels like hard clay when you pick it up, then it's no good. When dirt is tight, it means that water is having a hard time reaching the roots of the grass. Fortunately, removing bad soil isn't too difficult. Simply remove about 6 to 18 inches of the soil and replace it with a high-quality soil that pertains to the type of gardening you want to conduct. 

 

2. Add Sod to the Area

 

If everything you've tried has not worked or you simply don't want to take the time to fix the issue, then adding sod to the area might be your best bet. However, even this will require some work. Before adding sod, you should take the time to remove as much of the grassroots as you can. This is done to ensure that the sod has a healthy area of soil to grow into overtime. 

 

3. Plant New Grass Seed

 

Perhaps a lesser-known issue that leads to bald spots is the amount of seeding you are planting. In an effort to see more grass growing, you may attempt to overseed the area. Drop a few extra seeds, cover it with an added layer of soil, and don't forget to water the area regularly. It should be noted that pets and foot-traffic should be limited during this time. 

 

4. Pests and Chemical Burn

 

You can usually stop larger critters from entering your yard, but you often cannot completely stop the smaller ones. Yard pests are often the culprits of a bad looking yard. There are two types of pests that you must keep an eye out for, the Chinch Bug and the Armyworm. If these two are present, they can be the root cause of your yard's bald spot, and that area is being completely eaten up. Take action immediately before they spread across to other areas of your yard. This calls for the removal of not just the top layer of grass but its roots as well. Note that you should be cautious of the number of chemicals you are using to get rid of these pests. A chemical burn occurs when too many pest and weed killer chemicals are added to the ground. In fact, they can even become toxic to not only the surrounding areas but you as well. 

 

5. Try a Different Ground Cover

 

Getting rid of a bald spot can be rather difficult and time-consuming. If you want a quick and easy solution to the problem, then ground covers are your best bet. These plant covers not only cover the bald spot, but they can provide the rest of your flowers with added protection from pests and weeds. Just make sure you take the time to choose a cover that matches your yard time as some do require more maintenance than others.