There are areas of your lawn that require over-seeding/re-seeding in order to thicken the turf. North valley lawns are seeded in spring (April) or fall (Sept./Oct.). Fall seeding is preferred unless heavy leaf fall is expected. Spring seeding is fine if there is no potential crabgrass pressure. Thin areas in your lawn invite weed invasion.

Causes of lawn thinning are varied. Insect invasion, fungus, compaction, drainage, pet damage and shade are common culprits. Shade is the number one cause for thin lawns. As your landscape matures portions of the lawn may get increased shade. These areas may need annual attention in order to grow an acceptable lawn.

Think of shaded turf like a battery. The lawn needs a way to recharge (sunlight) in order to perform. At peak performance (spring & summer) your lawn needs a daily recharge in order to succeed. Corrective measures may include selective pruning of trees and shrubs in order to allow sufficient light penetration to lawn areas. If corrective measures are not achievable then a change in landscape design is in order. Ferns, pachysandra etc. may be realistic alternatives to thin, wimpy turf.

We have not discovered a “shade loving” lawn type that accepts foot traffic and mowing. Turf types that tolerate light shade include bluegrass and some fescues.

My front yard receives “dappled sunlight” spring through fall. I’m “hard-headed”, determined to have a lawn. In order to support my “lawn” I overseed both spring and fall, mow at the highest setting and limit foot traffic. The process is time consuming and expensive but I have my lawn.

NutriLawn can provide overseeding at an additional charge. If shade is the problem re-seeding efforts will be marginal unless shade modification is performed. Please call us to create a “game plan” in order to preserve your investment.