How To Eliminate Bald Spots Caused By Pet Wastes From Your Lawn

Do you live an area that makes it hard to grow grass? Find out how to use nothing more than hardscape materials to finish your property.

How To Eliminate Bald Spots Caused By Pet Wastes From Your Lawn

23 September 2015
 Categories: , Blog


Pets bring a lot of joy to millions of American households, but they can also bring frustration when it comes to maintaining a lawn and landscaping. One of the most common problems that pet owners face is bald spots on the lawn; these small blotches of dead grass are caused by animal urine and feces, and they can spoil the overall beauty of your lawn. Eliminating bald spots isn't difficult, but it does require using the correct materials and technique. Below is a list of materials you will need as well as the step-by-step procedure for removing bald spots from your lawn:

Tools and materials needed

  • Garden lime

  • Topsoil

  • Grass seed for your region

  • Rake

  • Garden hose with adjustable nozzle

Step-by-step procedure

1. Remove the dead grass and debris from the bald spot - Before applying a treatment, you will need to remove all the dead organic matter from the lawn. The matter likely contains a significant amount of acid and will continue to lower the pH in the vicinity of the bald spot, which is what killed the grass. The fastest and easiest way to remove the dead grass is to lightly pull the tines of a rake over the bald spots; this will scrape up the matter quickly and prevent disturbing the healthy portions of the lawn.

2. Apply a layer of lime to the exposed ground - After removing the dead grass and exposing the bare soil, your next goal is to raise the pH of the soil in order to create healthier soil chemistry. To make the soil more alkaline, sprinkle a generous amount of garden lime on top of the bald spot. Don't worry about measuring, as it is nearly impossible to add too much lime. Just be sure the bare soil is completely covered with lime, and you will be ready to add topsoil.

3. Add the first layer of topsoil - Once the lime is applied, you will need to sprinkle a layer of topsoil on top of the lime. Use topsoil that comes from a reputable source to prevent the introduction of parasites or other disease-causing microorganisms. Cover the lime completely with soil, so you are unable to see any traces of lime.

4. Plant grass seed - When the topsoil has been added, it is time to plant grass seed. Be sure to buy a seed mix that is appropriate for your region and climate. Lightly sprinkle the seed evenly across the topsoil; don't add too much seed or the grass won't sprout and thrive.

5. Cover the seed with topsoil and water - After sowing the grass seed, the last step is to cover it with additional topsoil to protect the seed from birds and keep it from being washed away by irrigation or rain. Be sure to add enough topsoil so that none of the seed is visible. Once you have covered the seed, mist it with water from a garden hose and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. To learn more, speak with someone like Green Leaf Lawn Services.

About Me
hardscaping areas that won't grow grass easily

I live in an area that is very difficult to grow grass. If I was to water my lawn a couple of times each day, the grass may grow, but that would cost me a small fortune in water bills and waste a lot of water that could be used for more efficient purposes. Instead of fighting the grass to grow, I decided to embrace the dryness of the area and complete the landscape design using mostly hardscape materials. I used rocks of all sizes coupled with wood to create a yard that I love to spend time in and am very proud of. Find out how to use nothing more than hardscape materials to finish your property.

Tags