Aha! We’ve chatted about lawns before but blimey there’s loads to say. Gathered up your questions from socials and the contact page …. mostly about those muddy patches and bare bits that pop up in the grass.
Some call these bare patches “vicar’s bald spots” but whatever the name the causes are usually the same..!
You know those muddy puddles that appear after proper rainfall?
Means your soil’s likely compacted!
Could be from too many folks trampling about, heavy furniture, cars parked on the lawn, you get the idea. All this squashes the soil til it can’t drain properly.
Instead of soaking in, the water sits there, making little muddy pools! It might also happen if your ground’s uneven or drainage is dodgy. But usually? It’s the compaction.,
Now, bare patches? The “vicar’s bald spots” , this one’s a bit more bothersome. Grass can be really dramatic, some things really set it off.
Main culprits?
Too much sun, too much rain, too much snow, too many pets! …… too much of something!
Fun fact : just like life, your lawn needs balance.
- There’s times even here in Britain when the sun gets proper fierce – seems to be happening more an’all. If your grass type can’t handle heat and dryness it’ll shrivel up…wilt and go brown!
- Too much rain does similar to too much snow. Cuts off the air and light. Result? It rots!
- Pets cause grief too – truth be told, too many people, cars, pets … can wreck the grass. But pets bring extra bother! Too much wee in one spot damages the grass.
Pet wee’s full of nitrogen and can burn the grass…
To keep your lawn chipper, aerate it ! especially in spring and autumn to keep it in good nick.
Move heavy furniture about – don’t leave it in one spot or it’ll ruin the grass!
Make nice little paths so folks (and cars) are less likely to trample the grass.
There are some pet-friendly products that might help if your garden’s a regular loo – try ’em on a small patch first, make sure they don’t kill everything else.
More great advice at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – Lawn Care Advice
