Weak and thinning patches of grass on your lawn can be a sign of an underlying problem - and it’s important to identify the cause of this problem in order to treat it. 

 

Some causes for areas of weak growth include: 

 

Compacted or hard soil

Compaction within the soil prevents the roots from reaching the nutrients they need for healthy growth. If this is the cause, we would recommend a treatment of aeration to help loosen the soil and encourage root development which will ultimately help thicken the lawn. 

 

Insufficient water

A healthy lawn needs plenty of moisture to uptake nutrients and encourage the roots to grow deeper into the soil and strengthen. In dry spells if brown patches develop then a wetting agent can be applied to the thinning areas to facilitate the absorption and retention of available water. 

 

Poor nutrient levels in the soil

If the soil is not balanced correctly in terms of its nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels, it can affect the growing ability of the lawn. A regular application of carefully selected fertiliser will help bring the soil back to perfect growing conditions to encourage a lush, healthy lawn. 

 

Shade and lack of sunlight

Lawns shaded by trees and shrubs can thin easily as they are lacking the sunlight to make photosynthesis work. This can be helped by cutting back overhanging branches, picking leaves up regularly from the lawn and mowing slightly longer to ensure that this area of lawn can maximise any available light. For more tips on mowing, see our care guide. 

 

Insect infestation

A thinning area of grass can be the first signs of a potential insect problem, such as chafer grubs or leatherjackets eating the roots from below. It is worth identifying this issue early and trying to eradicate the pests, before they take over the rest of the grass. 

 

Your Hampshire Lawncraft expert will help you identify the issue and advise on the appropriate action to encourage strong growth and thicker, lush lawns.