What to Do with the Dry Patches in My Lawn?
The last few weeks have been very hot, and if some dry patches have come up in your lawn, then this blog is for you!
While there are many reasons why lawns can become patchy, such as insect damage or disease, dry patches at this time of year are often linked to watering issues or the soil’s ability to absorb water.
Hot, dry weather can really take a toll on even the healthiest lawns, causing them to become thin and patchy. Keeping up with your lawn care routine and adjusting it for the weather is key to maintaining a healthy, green lawn.
What’s Happening to My Lawn?
As summer progresses, you might notice areas of your lawn starting to thin and change color. These bare patches then bake in the sun, becoming hard and compacted, making it difficult for water and nutrients to reach the soil. This is commonly referred to as “dry patch,” and it’s something that tends to appear in lawns throughout the summer. Don’t worry, though—help is here to fix the problem!
How Can I Treat the Dry Patches in my Lawn? Step by step.
- Aerate the affected area
To get started, you’ might need to aerate the affected areas. You can use a garden fork, core aerator, or a motorised aerator depending on the size of your lawn. Aerating breaks up compacted soil, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate more easily.
- Apply a wetting agent
Wetting agents help water absorb into the soil more effectively and allow it to stay usable for longer.
Our recommendation is Baileys Grosorb. This product assists absorption, movement, retention, and the effective use of fertiliser. It promotes plant root development by facilitating an even distribution of water, and eliminates ‘run off’ allowing water to soak through the soil.
- Water deeply
Give your lawn a deep watering to ensure the moisture reaches the roots.
For the best watering tips, read our blog ‘5 Tips for Watering Your Lawn’.
- Apply an NPK fertiliser
NPK fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for a lawn’s health and growth. Apply this to the entire lawn area.
Our recommendation is the Baileys NPK Blue. It is a premium grade, high analysis, broad spectrum fertiliser, which will replenish depleted soils with the broad array of essential nutrients it contains to promote healthy, vigorous growth.
- Water deeply
After fertilising, irrigate your lawn well.
If you’re struggling with watering or need help finding the right solution, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to assist you in finding the perfect watering setup for your lawn. For a free irrigation quote, click here. You can also explore our range of watering solutions on our website by clicking here.