The Grass Doctor

Grass problem please help.?

We only have a small lawn but the soil underneath is very hard even after we have watered it thoroughly there are lots of bald patches and it just looks generally rubbish. We have tried lawn care products but nothing seems to make it look lush. Any ideas what to do. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Try the "Lazy Man's Liquid Lawn Aerator", it's a solution of nutrients and fungi spores such that the fibrous fungi will dig through the soil for you loosening it up. There's also "Lazy Man's Liquid Gold" which is basically just nutrients for naturally occurring micro-organisms in the soil but you can probably get the same effect by spreading sugar on the lawn. Another way would be to grow nothing but potatoes one year, and till it all back into the ground. The tubers of the potatoes will break up the packed clay soil and tilling it back into the ground puts all that organic matter back into the soil. Of course, it won't look much like a lawn for a year.
2. If the ground underneath is very hard, then the roots of the turf will not be able to go deep. no way to keep a lawn looking great in those circumstance. If it's a small lawn, I'd consider stripping the turf off, and rototilling the whole thing - adding lots of organic matter...peat moss, compost, topsoil...as much as you have the energy for. Then tamp and re-seed or lay fresh sod.
3. Get a spade & push it in the soil over the lawn. Get your wife to put on those stilettos & walk over the lawn. This lets in the air & dew. Worms are great for the grass but the soil needs to be softer.