Find yourself overwhelmed with the continuous patchy and dead grass each season? Being a part of a few different lawn and gardening communities, I find many people have issues keeping their grass bright and green during parts of the summer. Sometimes life can get it in the way of maintaining it; other times it's our children or pets who utilize our outdoor spaces the most. Regardless the reasons, the wonderful thing is that lawns can always be revived! I know, I know, it might seem entirely too daunting to repair all of the patchiness or perhaps, start completely over but let me tell you, it is well worth it.
There are a few important reasons why having a healthy, thriving lawn, is such a necessity when you have a traditional grass-lawn. I'll go into these reasons and share the solutions in this post. These are all things that have worked for me when I bought my house with a less than attractive lawn. Whether you are just starting out as a new homeowner, or have had experience with lawn upkeep, this post should help anyone new or experienced with getting their lawn space back on track using natural techniques. Let's get your lawn looking alive and lush again!
Step 1: Understanding Your Lawn’s Needs
Basics To Soil Health
Soil is the foundation of healthy grass and plants; it the definition of how it grows. Just as houses need a solid foundation to stand tall and strong, so does grass. Soil needs proper levels of nutrients and minerals. Without the proper balance of nutrients and minerals can cause grass to grow irregularly, thus leading to patchy areas, fungus, and other diseases that lead to pests such as grubs, billbugs, cutworms, and so on.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to find out what minerals and nutrients your soils currently has is by conducting a soil test. This will be your ultimate guide to knowing what your soils pH levels are. With this information, it will tell you what your soil has and does not have. In most cases, people will just add fertilizer, new soil, or manure when they want to revive areas that grass isn't growing well in. This is not the best practice by far. The reason why knowing what your soils pH levels are is because if you blindly add soil, fertilizer, or manure that has a high ratio of nitrogen when your soil already has a sufficient amount, it will end up burning the grass. Although this is just just one example, it is a fairly common one.
Identifying Common Problems
After obtaining and conducting a soil test, you should have a pretty good understanding about what your soil needs. With that out of the way, you can now dive into examining your lawn. You want to look for brown patches, weeds, thinning grass, moss growth, mold and fungus buildup. It is particularly important to look for mold and fungus. The reason why spotting mold and fungus is so important is because it can spread very rapidly, under the right conditions, and will kill your grass and contaminate the soil. There are a few natural ways to eliminate fungus or mold. These methods are listed below:
Improve Air Circulation: If the mold and fungus build up is near or around shaded and covered areas, trim overhanging branches and shrubs to allow better airflow. This helps reduce humidity levels that favor mold growth.
Adjust Watering Practices: If mold and fungus build up happens in a random, unshaded spot, it could be due to over watering, water run off, or a leaking pipe in the ground. Most common leaking pipes are irrigation pluming, water pipes, and sewer pipes. If you find that there are no leaky pipes or water run off in the surrounding area, mold and fungus can be caused by overwatering. Cutting back on watering in that specific areas, as well as, watering your lawn early in the day allows the water to seep into the soil and naturally allows the grass to dry by evening.
Aerate the Soil: Aerating your lawn can improve drainage and reduce compaction. This will help with preventing mold and fungus, allowing air and water to reach the roots more effectively.
Use Baking Soda: Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a quart of water and spray it on the affected areas. Baking soda can help to inhibit fungal growth. Be sure not to heavily apply it. Applying concentrated amounts of baking soda can harm the grass and soil.
Apply Vinegar: A mixture of vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) can be sprayed on the affected areas. Vinegar is acidic and can help kill mold spores. Be extremely cautious using this type of remedy; vinegar can burn grass and can kill surrounding plants if used too much.
Use Corn Gluten Meal: This natural herbicide can prevent certain fungal diseases and also acts as a fertilizer. Again, applying too much can harm the grass or surrounding plants.
Reasons For Potential Cause (e.g., drought, pests, poor soil)
There are several reasons why dry patches, fungus, moss, and weeds grow in our lawn. It could be due to a lack of water, pests, too much water, lack of air, and a lack of nutrients and minerals. Below are each of type of cause and the potential reasoning as to why it occurs:
Dry Patches - There are three main causes for dry patches/dead grass; the lack of water, pests such as grubs or army worms, and the lack for nutrients in the soil.
Pests: It is a part of nature and its natural to have pests living in soil. However, as does any living creature, it needs food to survive. Grass and other plant root systems are typically what they consume to survive. Not all pests are bad; earthworms are actually one of the best pest to have as they naturally cultivate the soil and provide essential nutrients with their waste. Nevertheless, there are several pests that can really destroy your lawn and other surrounding plants. Amy worms, grubs, billbugs and cutworms are the most common pests that can destroy a lawn. Depending on the type of pest and the severity, you might have to treat the areas with different mitigation solutions.
Lack of Nutrients and Minerals: The lack of minerals and nutrients can be the detriment of healthy, vibrant grass. Too much of one or minerals can also cause grass to be over stimulated and die out; another term for that process is called "burning". Conducting soil tests will tell you what your soils needs.
Step 2: Natural Lawn Care Solutions
Aeration: The First Step to Revitalization
What is aeration? Aeration is the process of decompacting the soil. Think of aeration like a spa day for your lawn. The decompacting of soil allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. It also creates an environment that allows grass root to grow deeper and stronger.
How to aerate your lawn naturally? There are several different ways you can achieve aeration, depending on the type of tool/s or equipment you use. Physical tools can require more body strength and endurance, compared to a piece of equipment; however, both type achieve the same result. Here is a list of commonly used aerators:
Spike Aerator: A basic aerator that creates small holes in the ground by puncturing the soil with spikes. It's less effective than other methods since it can compact the soil around the holes.
Plug (Core) Aerator: A more efficient type of aerator that removes small plugs of soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the ground. It's often used for compacted soils.
Rolling Aerator: A large, rolling drum equipped with spikes or hollow tines that puncture the soil as it's rolled across the lawn. These are often used for larger areas.
Tow-Behind Aerator: A larger, tractor- or riding lawn mower-mounted aerator used for large lawns or sports fields. It uses tines or spiked rollers to aerate large areas quickly.
Manual Aerator (Handheld): Smaller, hand-held tools that allow for spot aeration of small areas. Common types include handheld spike aerators or aerator shoes (shoes with spikes on the soles).
Aeration Shoes: Shoes with spikes attached to the soles that can be worn while walking on the lawn to aerate the soil through pressure and motion.
Aeration can be one of the pivotal tasks that completely transforms your lawn. Properly aerating your lawn can result in tremendous growth of thicker and more dense grass.
Organic Fertilizers: Feeding Your Lawn the Right Way
Organic fertilizing provides optimal nutrients for the soil and living organisms within the soil. Think of it like this, if you eat fast food over and over, studies have shown that it can lead to many diseases and cancer. Plants, grass, and even the soil can develop disease if high amounts of synthetic fertilizers are applied time after time. The best fertilization practice is to use natural and organic options. It can be as simple as creating your own compost of organic waste, or purchase organic fertilizers from your local gardening or home improvement store. I've listed several different organic options below and how to effectively apply them:
Compost:Â Decomposed organic matter enriches soil with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Creating you own compost is a win-win; not only can you use your own food scraps to create the compost, which reduces landfill mass, it also is the best natural remedy for soil. You can compost yourself or purchase compost matter from your local gardening store. Note: Read the labels on the bag to give you insight on how the compost was produced and where it came from. Some brands have better practices than others.
Application - Distribute and spread a layer of about .25 - .50 inches across any areas with grass and soil.
Manure: Manure is organic matter, typically consisting of animal feces. It is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. It also helps improve soil structure, increase moisture retention, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Note: It should be well-aged to avoid burning plants.
Application - Distribute and spread a layer of about .25 - .50 inches across any areas with grass and soil.
Worm Castings:Â Worm excreta enriches soil with nutrients and beneficial microbes. This is produced by earthworm waste.
Application - Mix in with compost or other top soils, then distribute and spread a layer over grassy and soil areas.
Green Manure:Â This is plants that are grown specifically to be plowed back into the soil, adding organic matter and nutrients by decomposing.
Application - Because of the nature of this type of plant manure being larger, you can chop/cut/grind them before distributing across grassy and soil areas.
Bone Meal:Â Ground animal bones rich in phosphorus, promoting root development.
Application - Mix in with compost or other top soils, then distribute and spread a layer over grassy and soil areas.
Fish Emulsion:Â Liquid fertilizer made from fish remains, providing a quick nutrient boost.
Application - Spray over grassy and soil areas.
Applying these specific organic options will also condition the soil. Soil conditioning is a great way to keep your soil at its best. Remember that the soil is the foundation of the success of any plant or grass type. Keeping up with your soil means that you'll have a healthy, lush lawn.
Watering Wisely
Proper hydration is essential for a lush, healthy lawn. Watering deeply and infrequently provides proper hydration. Water in the late evening times or at night is generally not recommended. I found that the best times to water is in the early morning, during the day, and up to a few hours before sunset. This allows the natural process of gradual evaporation to happen.
Overwatering - It might seem like a painless thing to do but overwatering can cause severe damage root structure, leach nutrients out of the soil, and so on.
Underwatering - On the contrary, underwatering can result in a lack of moisture supply to the soil biome, leading to the death of grass and plants.
Rainwater Harvesting:Â One tip that can save a few dollars on your water bill is to collect rainwater in barrels during wet seasons. You can use and apply the collected water during dryer periods, reducing reliance on municipal water sources. Ultimately, developing a proper watering schedule, based on your grass type and climate, will ensure a healthy lawn.
Pro Tip - Understanding your grass seed and grass type will allow you to create the perfect watering schedule for your type of grass. For more information on what grass type means, check out my blog post: Understanding Grass Seed Types For Beginners: An Informational Guide
Step 3: Weeding Naturally
Understanding Weeds and Their Impact
Weeds are often seen as nothing more than a nuisance, but they can actually play a crucial role in the environment. Essentially, weeds are plants that grow in places where they’re not wanted. They have a way of thriving in disturbed or poor soil, sometimes even in areas where other plants struggle to survive. Some weeds have deep root systems that help aerate the soil, break up compacted ground, and improve its structure. Others can attract beneficial insects or act as a food source for wildlife, helping to maintain biodiversity. While they may compete with crops or garden plants for nutrients and space, many weeds are resilient and adaptable, often signaling an imbalance in the soil or ecosystem that could use attention.
Surprisingly, some weeds can actually be beneficial to the health of your garden or lawn. For instance, clover is a common weed that naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil, enriching it and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Dandelions are another example—while they’re notorious for invading lawns, their deep taproots can draw up nutrients from deeper soil layers, making them available to other plants. Additionally, weeds like chickweed and purslane are edible and packed with nutrients, offering a natural and free source of food. In fact, many "weeds" have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their healing properties. So, while weeds can sometimes cause headaches, they also contribute to the health of the ecosystem in ways that might surprise you.
Natural Weeding Techniques
Naturally weeding your lawn offers an abundance of environmental perks. One of the simplest and most effective methods is hand-pulling, which involves manually removing weeds by their roots. This technique is best suited for smaller areas or when dealing with young weeds. Regular hand-pulling, especially before the weeds have gone to seed, can prevent them from spreading and re-establishing. It's important to ensure that the roots are completely removed to avoid regrowth. You can also manually uproot weeds using a variety of different tools that range in size.
Boiling water is another effective natural method for controlling weeds, particularly in driveways, patios, or garden paths. When poured directly onto the foliage, the intense heat of the water causes the plant cells to burst, leading to rapid wilting and death. This method works best on annual weeds or young perennial plants. For a more targeted approach, homemade vinegar solutions—such as a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and dish soap—can be sprayed onto weeds. The acetic acid in vinegar draws moisture from the plant, while the salt helps to desiccate the roots, ultimately killing the weed. NOTE -- Using vinegar, salt, and dish soap should be applied with caution and in very targeted areas. These solutions can kill surrounding grass and plants if not applied correctly.
To prevent future weed growth to large soil rich areas, mulching is an excellent preventive measure. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, deprives weeds of sunlight and limits their ability to germinate, while also improving soil health and retaining moisture.
Step 4: Embracing Diversity with Native Plants
Benefits of Native Grass Varieties
Choosing native grass varieties for your lawn is a game-changer when it comes to creating a more resilient, low-maintenance yard. Native grasses are naturally adapted to the local climate and soil, which means they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides compared to non-native species. They’re also more resistant to pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions, so your lawn stays healthy with less effort. Plus, native plants provide vital support for local wildlife, like pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects, creating a thriving ecosystem right in your backyard. By embracing native grasses, you're not only saving time and money on lawn care but also contributing to a more sustainable, eco-friendly landscape.
If you haven't already check out my Understanding Grass Seed Types For Beginners: An Informational Guide blog post, I encourage you do do so as it provides a full understanding of how to understand your grass type.
Creating a Mixed Lawn
Creating a mixed lawn is a fantastic way to blend the benefits of different grass types and plants to create a lawn that's both beautiful and more resilient. Instead of relying on a single type of grass, you can mix cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass with warm-season varieties like Bermuda or fescue. This combination helps ensure that your lawn stays lush and green throughout the year, as different grasses thrive in different weather conditions. A mixed lawn can also incorporate low-growing ground covers or wildflowers, which can reduce maintenance needs and increase biodiversity. The diversity in plant species helps improve soil health, reduces the likelihood of pests or diseases, and can even enhance drought tolerance. Plus, a mixed lawn is more visually interesting, offering a natural, varied look that can stand up to the challenges of climate change and shifting weather patterns.
Step 5: Maintaining Your Lawn Long-Term
Seasonal Care Tips
Seasonal care is key to maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn throughout the year, and the right practices can make all the difference.
In spring, it's important to focus on rejuvenating your lawn after winter. Start by raking up any debris and aerating the soil to improve water and nutrient absorption. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to encourage healthy growth, and consider overseeding if your lawn has bare patches. Spring is also a great time to address weeds before they take hold, using natural methods like hand-pulling or a vinegar solution.
In summer, your lawn faces heat and potential drought stress, so water deeply and infrequently. Raise your mower blade to leave grass slightly longer, which helps shade the soil, retain moisture, and promote deeper root growth. Summer is also a good time to monitor for pests and disease, treating them promptly with eco-friendly solutions.
As fall approaches, focus on preparing your lawn for winter by fertilizing with a nutrient-rich formula that encourages root development. Aerate the soil again, especially if your lawn has heavy foot traffic, and apply a layer of mulch in garden beds to protect plants.
Finally, winter care should include minimizing foot traffic on frozen grass, which can damage the blades, and keeping an eye out for snow mold or other issues that may arise during the colder months.
Monitoring and Adjusting should be an ongoing practice. The importance of ongoing observation and care adjustments can be the "make or break" of a vibrant, healthy lawn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating and maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals or endless hours of maintenance. By understanding your lawn’s unique needs and adopting natural solutions, you can cultivate a thriving green space that’s not only good for your yard but also better for the environment. Embrace natural weeding methods, bring in a variety of native plants, and commit to long-term care that works with nature rather than against it. With these five steps, you’ll be well on your way to a lawn that’s both beautiful and sustainable for years to come.
About the Author:
A hands-on lawn care enthusiast and entrepreneur who's spent years mastering DIY yard maintenance. When I'm not helping fellow homeowners transform their lawns, you'll find me tinkering with projects around the house or simply enjoying the peace of watching things grow. My faith and desire to serve others guide me in sharing practical, tested advice that helps people create outdoor spaces they can be proud of. Have a lawn care question? I'd love to help!
Source:
How to care for your lawn. (n.d.). https://www.calgary.ca. https://www.calgary.ca/water/programs/lawn-care.html
