Not every lawn problem is caused by weeds, pests, or diseases. Issues such as moss, dry patches, or damage from pets and weather conditions can impact the health and appearance of your lawn. Below are some common lawn problems and how to manage them.
Other Problems
Heat Damage
Lawn damage from summer heat occurs when grass does not receive enough water during hot weather. While any lawn can be affected, newly laid instant lawn is especially vulnerable.
To reduce the risk, treat your lawn with a wetting agent such as Bi-Agra or Wettasoil before summer. Wetting agents help water penetrate deeply into the soil so it can reach the roots. New instant lawn should be watered thoroughly for the first two weeks of summer, then gradually reduced to two or three times per week.
Moss
Moss often appears in lawns during winter and wet seasons, thriving in damp, compacted soils and shady areas. If left untreated, it can spread and die off when the weather warms, leaving bare patches.
Moss can be treated with Iron Sulphate when it appears. To help prevent it returning, consider aerating the soil and pruning surrounding trees to increase sunlight and airflow.
Pet Damage
Damage from dog or cat urine can sometimes be mistaken for a lawn disease. It usaully appears as circles of dead grass of varying sizes, often surrounded by a halo of lush, over-fertilised green grass. The urea in the urine is initially too strong for the grass to survive, but it disperses into the surrounding area, acting as a natural fertiliser.
Damaged patches will need to be repaired with grass seed or instant lawn.
Seeding Grass
Once per year, usually from spring to early summer, some desirable lawn grasses will attempt to produce seed heads. When these seed heads are regularly cut down by mowing, they grow horizontally instead, creating patches of coarse, untidy-looking grass for a short period.
There is no need to spray or remove this grass. It is healthy, desirable grass, and its appearance will return to normal once the seeding period ends.