Thin grass?

Question: Our lawn has gotten worse and worse in the 7years we’ve lived in this house. Now it is thin and bare in spots. What are we doing wrong, and how can we improve it?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 12:39 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your question. When I see yards as depicted in your pictures, three things come to mind: 1). The soil is deficient in one or more nutrients. Often there is insufficient nitrogen present. If you have not had your soil tested within the last three years, this should be your first step. The University of Minnesota has an excellent soil testing laboratory. Once you receive the analysis report, we would be glad to go over it with you. See: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services 2). The type of grass you are trying to grow does not have sufficient sunlight during the day. Some grass (e.g., Bluegrass) requires rather high amounts where as others (e.g., fescue) can get by with less. See: https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns - :~:text=In Minnesota, Kentucky bluegrass, fine,best varieties for your lawn. 3). The soil texture is not adequate to support good turf growth. Having looked at many soil reports from Hennepin County, I would predict that your soil would have a coarse texture (think rather high sand content) with a relatively low organic content, possibly around 3% to 5%. This soil texture would have poor water retention. This means that drought conditions could quickly arise in your yard. To address the organic content, after mowing let all the grass clippings remain on your yard. In the fall instead of raking up any leaves, use a mulching blade on your mower to produce mulched leaf debris that can be left on your yard. Commercial compost is also available for spreading on your yard. Consider doing this in the fall. See:  https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/adding-compost-improves-soil’s-texture-and-adds-nutrients - :~:text=CORVALLIS, Ore.,dig whether wet or dry. https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/4-easy-ways-to-improve-your-lawn/5646.html I am not completely comfortable with my answer at this point. I would ask you to look at these various sites in light of what you have previously done in your yard. Then please get back to us with your thoughts so that we can pursue remedial actions. Thanks again for using our forum. Looking forward to your responses.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 12:57 PM EDT
response: I think you may be right in several respects. 1. I haven’t had the soil tested in the last 3 years. I’ll follow up with that.2. Not sure what kind of grass is there, but we do have A LOT of trees.3. I believe our soil tends to be sandy or clay-ey. We do leave the grass clippings, but haven’t mulched the leaves. Would the amount of leaves be a factor? Again, lots of trees.  Another factor is that we DO have a sprinkler system, but since we’re not the ones who installed it, I’m just not sure I’m using it correctly (enough? When?).Also, we’ve been paying a lawn service to fertilize and apply weed control, but I don’t know how customized their application is.  When I get back to you with a soil test (or even before), would it be possible to schedule an in-person visit? --Heidi  From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 11:39 AMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 2:50 PM EDT
response: Thanks for getting back to us.  I will look forward to looking at the soil report.  Since our group consists of Master Gardeners drawn from throughout the state, it is our policy that our interactions do not extend to on-site visits or individual consultations.  For example, I reside in Duluth which renders individual visits not feasible. Thanks again for your response.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 4:38 PM EDT
response: Still trying to wrap my arms around your situation.  Is the "thin grass" throughout all of your yards or just in certain places.  If just in certain places, take a couple of pics of these places and send to us.  I would like to know the extent of afternoon shade these areas are in.  Also  would like to know what your yard is used for.  Is it mainly for show and/or do you have kids/dogs romping around on it.  And when was the last time you had your yards aerated?  On a scale of "show place yard; envy of the neighborhood" to "just want to cover the ground with something green", what would you like to achieve? Many thanks.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 11:08 AM EDT
response: It’s a unique yard for sure! Mostly shaded, but the western (front) slope gets blazing afternoon sun. No animals, and our youngest is 15, so it’s mostly a “show” yard. But I don’t need to be the envy of the neighborhood – that’s across the street! Healthy, green coverage is what I’m after. I would say “thin grass” describes the whole lawn, although there are actual bald spots sprinkled randomly around the whole house. Here’s a Google Maps view – so yeah, lots of trees: --Heidi From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 3:39 PMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 11:14 AM EDT
response: Ah, thanks for explaining the visit policy. My husband grew up in Two Harbors (and his parents still live there) so we pass through Duluth frequently. --Heidi From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 1:51 PMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 14, 2023, 12:03 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your recent response. As I mentioned previously, do the soil test ASAP. Do from at least from two different areas: backyard, front yard. Each sample should come from shady areas. From your latest comments and the aerial view of your house, I think that the primary reason for your poor turf is insufficient sunlight. I assume that cutting down trees is not an option so you will have to work with your current conditions. As a rough rule of thumb, 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight (not filtered through trees) is needed. If this requirement is not met, you will have thin turf with bare spots. I propose the following: 1). Get back to me regarding the necessary 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Is this feasible for your yard? 2). Do the soil test. Take a pic of the results and send to us. After looking at them we should have greater clarity as what to do and when. 3). For the next six weeks (mid-June to early August), there is not too much to do. The hot weather and presumed lack of rain will make any grass seeding fruitless. Likewise do not apply any fertilizer to your yard during this same time period. It would be too stressful for your grass. Expect your yard to start getting brown. Not to worry. What grass is there is not dying but simply entering a period of dormancy. 4). However during this six week period, water your grass about once a week. It should get between 1 and 1.5 inches of water per week. Doing a heavy watering once a week is far preferable to slight watering on a more frequent basis. A quick way of determining the amount of water being delivered is to place an empty tuna fish can on the yard before watering. On the outside of the can place a mark between 1 and 1.5 inches up from the bottom. Once the water inside of the can reaches this mark, stop watering. During this watering period don’t expect to see any significant improvement in your grass. The watering is simply to prevent the grass from dying. See: https://scotts.com/en-us/lawn-care-101/lawn-watering-tips-when-is-the-best-time-to-water-your-lawn.html - :~:text=Most lawns need 1 to,not to overwater your lawn. 5). Once August kicks in your efforts will intensify. Broad leaf herbicide may be applied. Consider aerating your yard at this time. Fertilizer will be applied whose composition will be dependent upon the soil test. Grass seeding will start. Blue grass seed will not be used. Your yard does not have enough light to support it. Rather, a mixture of fescue and rye seeds will be used. These grasses grown well in shade. They are also drought resistant. Enough for now. More details to follow. Just wanted to give you a sense of the strategy and timelines. By doing these things I firmly believe that you will see an improvement in 2024 as compared to 2023. One final point. If growing grass proves to be too difficult to grow on your property, think about an alternative. See: https://elemental.green/10-low-maintenance-lawn-alternatives/ https://insteading.com/blog/ground-cover-plants/ Thanks for using our forum. We look forward to working with you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 12:39 PM EDT
response: Wow, so helpful!To answer the sunlight question, here’s a picture of the backyard, which faces east. It’s 11:30 in the morning.As you can see, it actually looks tougher in the area which is sunniest, right in the center. (Right is south, left is north.)I’ll send back soil test results after that’s completed. Appreciate the guidance and plan on what to do.--Heidi On Jun 13, 2023, at 3:38 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 18, 2023, 5:25 PM EDT
response: Sounds good.  Will look forward to getting the soil analysis.  Thanks for continuing to use this forum.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2023, 10:24 AM EDT
response: I’ve attached the soil test – hope it makes sense to you…? --Heidi From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 11:04 AMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 05, 2023, 11:03 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the soil report.  I'll look it over today/tonight and get back to you.  Looking forward to working with you and your husband on this project.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 05, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT
response: I would like one other bit of information, if possible.  This concerns the composition of the fertilizer that your lawn service uses.  Often this is shown on the receipt they leave with you after treatment.  Perhaps just take a pic of this receipt and send to us.  Sometimes you may need to contact them and request this information.  If you can't get it, that would be OK.  The reason this would be helpful is to compare the fertilizer the lawn service uses with the recommendations on the soil analysis.  Many thanks.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2023, 2:08 PM EDT
response: Here’s a report from the last application, but I think it was put on after I took the samples.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 10:18 AMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2023, 3:20 PM EDT
response: Okay, here’s what I found out about the early spring application:Serviced: May 24, 2023  We've serviced your lawn. These services were performed...Early Spring Application - Technician: Sam C. Stolt - Temperature: 66°  - Wind Speed: 11 E.[ }Defendor .09oz/1000 EPA Reg 62719-5600[ }Resolute 4FL .30oz/1000 EPA Reg 100-1139[ {24-0-0 16.65oz/1000[ ]Acelepryn 1.8oz/1000 EPA Reg 100-1489[ }17-0-0 plus Prodiamine EPA Reg 60063-41-41124Products Used: 21.30 Lbs - 17-0-0+.29 Prodiamine 118.22 Fluid Oz - 24-0-0 Liquid Fertilizer 0.64 Fluid Oz - Dimension 35.50 Lbs - 30-0-5 plus .10 Dimension 0.64 Fluid Oz - Defendor 2.13 Fluid Oz - Prodiamine 4L   From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 10:18 AMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 06, 2023, 12:55 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the soil reports. Both reports are as I expected them to be. The most significant aspect is that your yard has a rather high sand content. That is why the textures are indicated as "coarse". This means that your soil has relatively poor water retention. This has two implications. First, it will be very difficult for you ever to have green grass all season long. During the hot, dry days of July and early August, your grass will turn brown and become dormant. There won’t be much that you can do to prevent this.  To counteract this will be to develop your yard into one largely having fescue grass. Secondly, if you do any grass seeding this fall it should largely consist of using various types of fescue. This is a very drought resistant grass and can survive intense heat and dryness. Fescue is also quite shade tolerant, which would match the light conditions of your yards. Avoid using any blue grass or rye. Soil pH values are fine for your turf.  Although acceptable, organic contents of 5% to 6% could be increased. The easiest way to do is leaving grass clippings on your turf. As I previously suggested, mulching leaves into your turf this fall will also increase the organic content. Your last fertilizer application used a 30-0-5 product. This is very close to the soil report recommendation of 33-0-0. Your current fertilizing regime looks fine and could be continued. My initial recommendations still stand. In early to mid-August as your weeds begin to actively grow is when a broad leaf herbicide needs to be applied. Ideally two applications: early August and then mid-August. Realize that to obtain a lawn largely free of weeds may take a few years of effort. Towards the end of August will be the time for seeding the yard. Use grass seed that consists of at least 70% or more fescue of different varieties. See: https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/renovating-lawn-quality-and-sustainability https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns - :~:text=The best time to seed,of the seed to show. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/planting-and-maintaining-fine-fescue-lawn https://turf.umn.edu/news/finding-right-grass-seed https://turf.umn.edu/news/can-we-use-tall-fescue-lawns-minnesota Please let me know if you have further questions. Best of luck.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 02, 2023, 12:58 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your guidance!! --heidi From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Thursday, July 6, 2023 11:55 AMTo: Heidi Koopman <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Thin grass? (#0104647)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 02, 2023, 5:48 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the response.  Unless it really gets hot, apply your herbicide sometime after the 15th of this month.  Then onto grass seeding!!  Thanks again for using our forum.