Brown, weedy or thinning grass? Here are 9 steps to fix your lawn

Key points

• Pests, disease, poor soil quality and drainage issues can harm your lawn’s health.

• Prepare soil for lawn care by aerating, improving drainage, and reseeding or sodding.

• Lawn maintenance entails deep watering, strategic mowing and monitoring for pests, diseases and stress.

Is your lawn in need of a serious makeover? With thinning, dead spots, brown grass and weeds, a lawn can go from pristine to patchy in a single season.

We spoke with lawn experts Rafi Friedman, CEO of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, and Marty Teresi, host of The Grass Station Podcast, to get their input on addressing a less-than-perfect yard. Together, we devised nine simple steps to fix your lawn that even a novice groundskeeper can tackle.

The steps to fixing an ugly lawn include investigating the root cause of the damage, feeding it the proper nutrients and maintaining it throughout the year to prevent it from returning to its previous state of despair.

Follow these nine step-by-step tips to get your yard back on track.

What are the steps to restore a damaged lawn?

The steps to restore a damaged lawn start with finding out why your lawn is suffering in the first place. Once you’ve determined that, you can move on to preparing your soil and encouraging grass growth.

Whether dealing with patchy grass, stubborn weeds or unattractive bare spots, take the following steps for a greener, healthier yard.

1. Investigate the cause

Start the repair process by examining areas where your grass looks unhealthy or sparse. Look for the following:

• Signs of pests, such as chewed leaves or tunnels in the soil
• Symptoms of disease, including discolored patches or abnormal growth
• Poor soil quality, such as compacted soil, excessive thatch or poor drainage
• Sunlight exposure, noting areas of shade or excessive sunlight
• Weed encroachment
• Drainage issues, such as standing water or soggy soil after rainfall

After you’ve performed a visual inspection, consider sending off a soil sample for testing to analyze nutrient levels and pH balance. The results of a soil test can guide you in applying fertilizer and adding soil amendments. Observing grass root depth and health can also tell you about soil conditions, such as whether there’s compaction.

A good investigation helps you pinpoint specific issues affecting your lawn’s health so you can find targeted solutions that address the root cause.

2. Prep your lawn appropriately

Once you’ve identified the cause of your lawn’s decline, it’s time to tackle the issue with some prep work. You may want to consider one, several or all of the following approaches, depending on what’s ailing your lawn:

• Aerating: A core aerator perforates soil, allowing air, water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass, promoting deeper and stronger growth.
• Weed control: Depending on the time of year and the types of weeds in your yard, apply a preemergent or postemergent herbicide or weed killer to control and eliminate weeds, such as crabgrass or fescue.
• Improving drainage: Address waterlogging issues by installing a French drain or adjusting soil grading.
• Amending soil: Correct pH imbalances and improve soil structure with appropriate soil amendments, such as compost or lime.
• Starting from scratch: If a lawn seems damaged beyond repair or you want to speed up the healing process, consider lawn renovation, which involves completely removing the existing turf.

3. Rake and take away debris

To tidy up your lawn, start by removing weeds, leaves and other debris (including thatch and grass clippings) using a rake or leaf blower. Be as thorough as possible, and remember to tackle hard-to-reach areas, such as around fences and shrubs.

Besides improving your lawn’s appearance, dethatching prevents organic debris from smothering your existing grass and inhibiting additional grass growth.

4. Seed adequately

Now that you’ve diagnosed your lawn’s ailments, prepped the soil and cleaned up debris, it’s time to sow the seeds for a lush, green lawn. When seeding, timing is crucial. Aim for early fall or late spring when temperatures are mild and soil moisture is optimal. Begin by selecting high-quality grass seeds suited to your climate and soil type. Then, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the soil by loosening the top layer.
2. Spread the seed evenly over the topsoil using a broadcast spreader or your hands.
3. Lightly rake the seeds into the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
4. Water the newly seeded area regularly to keep the soil moist until the grass germinates and establishes itself.
5. Follow the specific instructions provided with your chosen grass seed for best results.

If you’re looking for instant results or have large bare patches to cover, consider laying sod instead of seeding. Sod provides immediate coverage, and homeowners can install it at any time during the growing season.

5. Water deeply

Once your grass takes root, it’s time to ensure it gets the hydration it needs to thrive.

“A key tip to maintaining a vibrant and healthy lawn throughout the summer requires keen attention to watering practices,” advised Friedman. He emphasized watering deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and often, as this encourages deeper root growth that can help your grass withstand summer heat and drought.

Aim to provide about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation, and water early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Not sure if you’re turning the sprinkler on enough? Look out for these signs that your grass is getting thirsty:

• Wilting grass
• Grass turning a bluish-gray color
• Footprints remain visible long after someone has walked through the yard
• Unexplained thinning or slow growth
• Dry, crumbly soil

6. Feed properly

When it comes to feeding your lawn with fertilizer, it’s not just about providing the proper nutrients — you also have to deliver them appropriately. Here are the do’s and don’ts of lawn feeding.

Do:

• Choose a high-quality lawn fertilizer with the appropriate balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) for your grass type and soil conditions.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and timing. 
• Use a broadcast spreader for even applications.
• Water your lawn immediately after fertilizing to activate the nutrients and prevent burning.
• Consider using slow-release or organic fertilizers for longer-lasting results (you’ll also reduce the risk of runoff).

Don’t:

• Overfertilize — you’ll likely damage your lawn and risk harming the environment
• Apply fertilizer when it’s excessively hot or dry 
• Use weed-and-feed products unless weeds are actively growing
• Apply fertilizer near streams, lakes or storm drains
• Forget to test your soil regularly

7. Mow strategically

While mowing may seem like a straightforward lawn chore, it’s one of the most important aspects of lawn care. Improper mowing can negatively impact the health and appearance of your turf. Here are some tips to mow strategically for a healthy lawn:

• Set your lawn mower blades to the appropriate height for your grass type, typically around 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches.
• Avoid cutting more than one-third of the entire grass blade length. This helps keep clippings small and encourages your grass to grow sideways instead of just up, making it thicker and healthier overall. 
• Alternate mowing patterns to prevent soil compaction.
• Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts and minimal stress.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil (unless they clump or cover the grass excessively).

8. Monitor consistently

Regular monitoring can help you catch issues with your lawn early and before they cause severe damage. Inspect your lawn frequently for irregularities such as discolored patches, thinning grass or signs of pests.

Consider keeping these monitoring tools on hand:

• Soil pH tester
• Soil moisture meter
• Thermometer
• Rain gauge
• Soil probe
• Weed identification guide

9. Maintain meticulously

Lawn care is an ongoing process that requires attention and dedication to succeed. As each growing season draws to a close, grade your lawn’s progress and start planning your approach for the following year.

Teresi emphasized, “The more you invest in your lawn — through fertilization, regular mowing and attentive watering — the less reliant you become on chemical interventions over time.” In other words, consistent maintenance practices are key to a stable and healthy lawn.

Following a thorough lawn care schedule, including proper feeding and watering, smart mowing practices and ongoing monitoring, can ensure you enjoy the best lawn possible for years to come.

Not sure what to include in your maintenance plan? Here’s a nifty checklist to help:

☐ Mow regularly
☐ Water deeply but not too often
☐ Use the right fertilizers
☐ Pull weeds as needed
☐ Aerate occasionally
☐ Fill in bare spots with new seed
☐ Watch for pests and deal with them
☐ Test soil occasionally
☐ Define lawn edges
☐ Remove debris regularly
☐ Adjust care based on the season
☐ Seek expert advice if needed

What’s next?

The next step is for you to simply enjoy your new grass. You’ve worked hard, and it’s time to enjoy the fruits (or grasses) of your labor.

Now that you have a healthy canvas, consider expanding your vision beyond the lawn and adding decorative flower gardens, unique yard decor or large structures, such as a pergola, gazebo or freestanding deck, to create a customized and unique retreat. Visit a garden center to learn about your options.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or uncertain, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a top lawn care professional. They can not only help repair a lawn that needs some TLC but also maintain its beauty once all the treatments and renovations have taken place.

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