How to Correct Overfertilization of Grass

Your lawn is the first impression you present to the world. A well-maintained lawn is your show place. Proper mowing is essential, as well as routine watering. Fertilization is also important. The proper mixture of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium will make your grass grow in good health. The problem is that every type of grass requires a slightly different blend, applied in slightly different amounts, at different times throughout the year. Adding too much fertilizer can burn your lawn and cause dead spot. You must let the grass die and start again in these spots.

Thatching rake
Aerator
Grass seed
Straw
Lawn rake
Work gloves
Safety glasses

Instructions

- 1
  Wait a month for the overfertilized grass to die. By the time the dead grass is brown and brittle, the excess fertilizer should be washed away, making the area safe to plant again.
- 2
  With the head of a thatching rake, scrub the areas where there is dead grass to remove the grass and loosen the soil for new seed.
- 3
  Push an aerator across the bare spots in your lawn. Push the aerator across those areas several times in several different directions to open the soil and give the seed a place to take root.
- 4
  Spread good quality grass seed over the bare spots.
- 5
  Rip apart a bale of straw. Spread the loose straw over the newly seeded areas to cover them completely, protecting them from birds, animals and the sun.
- 6
  Give the grass eight weeks to take root, then remove the straw with a lawn rake. Put the old straw in your compost pile. Add more grass seed to thin spots.

How to Reseed After Applying Pre-Emergent

Why is My Grass Dying?

Growing Grass