5 Reasons for Thin Grass and What to Do About It

A thick, green lawn is the dream, right? So, when you look out at your yard and see thin, patchy grass, it can be a real letdown. But don't worry, a thin lawn is a fixable problem! We've got five common reasons why your grass might be struggling and simple solutions to help you get that beautiful lawn you've been wanting.

1. Your Lawn is Hungry

Just like any other living thing, your grass needs food to thrive. Regular feedings are key to growing a thick, green lawn.

What to do: Keep your lawn well-fed by fertilizing it regularly with a quality lawn food throughout the growing season. This provides the consistent nutrients your grass needs to build strong roots and grow thicker resulting in that lush, green look you're after.

2. The Ground Is Too Hard

If your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic from kids, pets, or outdoor get-togethers, the soil can get packed down. This makes it tough for oxygen, water, and nutrients to get to your grass’ roots.

What to do: It's time to loosen things up! Aerating your lawn by creating small holes in the soil will help it breathe. For best results, cool season grasses should be aerated in the early spring or fall and warm season grasses in the late spring.



3. There's Too Much Shade

Did that small tree you planted a few years ago turn into a big shade tree? As trees grow, they can block the sunlight your grass needs to grow thick and full.

What to do: You have a couple of options. You can replace your current grass with a variety that does better in the shade. Or, you can thin out some of the tree branches to let more sunlight through, then apply Thick’R Lawn to thicken up your current grass.



4. Pests or Diseases Are Moving In

Sometimes, the problem isn't with your grass itself but with unwanted visitors. Grubs and fungal diseases can wreak havoc on your lawn, causing it to thin out and look unhealthy.

What to do: To prevent grubs from taking over, use GrubEx in the spring. For fungal issues, apply DiseaseEx at the first sign of a disease problem.

5. Your Mowing and Watering Habits Need a Tune-Up

How you cut and water your grass can have a big impact on its health. Mowing too short or not watering correctly can put a lot of unwanted stress on your lawn.

What to do: Make sure your mower blade is sharp for a clean cut, and avoid cutting your grass too short. For more information on how to mow your lawn, read our Lawn Mowing Tips & Tricks article. For watering, a general rule of thumb is to water for about 10-15 minutes every other day, but this can change depending on the weather. Check out our article on Lawn Watering Tips for more information.

By figuring out the cause of your thin grass and following these simple steps, you can help your lawn reach its full potential.