Fix your troubled lawn

Catching lawn problems early and fixing them is important part of having a beautiful, lush lawn. Here’s how to fix a troubled lawn:
1. Test soil Get your lawn off to a good start by determining what nutrients the soil needs. A soil test will also tell you whether you need to adjust your soil’s pH.
2. Revive a brown lawn Lack of moisture may not be the cause of a brown lawn. Instead, overzealous mowing can cause a lawn to lose its healthy green color. Make sure you’re removing only about one-third of the blade when you cut. Re-adjust your mower as needed.
3. Protect new seeds Use a sprinkler to keep newly planted grass seed from drying out. Cover seeded areas with a thin layer of wheat straw to retain moisture and prevent erosion from heavy rains.
4. Quickly repair a small patch To repair a small section of damaged turf, cut out a section 1 or 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) square with the bare spot in one corner. Cut the roots with a spade, lift out the piece with shovel and rotate it so the spot is in the opposite corner. Step on the patch to firmly put the roots in place. Water until new grass fills the damaged section.