Although it’s a tough plant, your grass will eventually decline due to high usage from people (and pets). This decline can lead to bald patches, compact soil, and weeds. High-traffic lawns include areas like apartments, condominiums, park and sporting areas, and just active family yards. Fortunately, through key preparation and treatment steps, you’ll be able to minimize damage and quickly repair your lawn.

Anticipate High-Traffic Days

If your location is scheduled for a high volume of people on a certain day, there are ways to prepare the lawn for this to better protect it from decline.

• Prioritize your lawn: Map out where most of the people will be and block out areas of grass that’s unnecessary for the event. This will save large portions of your lawn from any damage.
• Mow higher: Keep your lawn longer than usual because taller blades of grass will be able to soften the blow of any impact it may sustain.
• Be prepared: Ensure the grass is dry for the event by giving the lawn time to dry after being watered and have a contingency plan in place if rain has muddied your lawn.

Active Lawn Treatment Process

If there wasn’t enough time to prepare and you’re already faced with declining grass, there are still ways to combat this. Establishing a treatment process will help restore your lawn back to a healthy state and make it more capable of withstanding high-traffic in the future.

Evaluate the State of Your Lawn

The best way to figure out if your lawn has been affected by high-traffic is to assess the damage.

• Is the soil too moist or dry? Don’t feel obligated to stick to your schedule when it comes to watering your lawn. Dry and moist soil will only worsen the problems caused by high usage.
• Are there bald or discolored sections? This can be a result of high-traffic in one specific area where grass blades have died from the lack of oxygen.
• Is your soil thick and clumped together? Constant usage causes soil to become compact and block oxygen from penetrating the soil leading to a lack of nutrition.

Aerating Your Lawn

High-traffic grass will always result in clumped and compact soil. Aeration penetrates the soil to loosen it up for air and nutrients to make their way in. Water should first be applied to the grass to make this process easier. Afterward, adding a fresh layer of nutrients from compost or another fertilizer that’s specific for high-traffic grass will help jump-start your lawn’s road to recovery.

Overseeding and Dormant Overseeding

There are two different processes, but they have the same end goal which is to create a healthier lawn. Overseeding is adding a coat of new grass seed to your existing lawn. Dormant overseeding is introducing additional grass seed in the winter to germinate in the spring. These processes will create a thicker layer of grass for a stronger lawn all season long.

Are you ready to turn your lawn into a masterpiece? At Dolan Landscaping, we provide excellent lawn maintenance that ensures your lawn is ready for success year round. If you’re ready, then so are we, contact us today for a free consultation.