My Lawn Is Too Soft & Moist: Will Turf Builder Help?

Thatch

• Check your thatch layer in the spring by cutting a 2-inch wedge-shaped piece of turf out of your lawn. Measure the brown, spongy, organic material between the grass and the soil. Thatch naturally builds up in lawns; however, a layer greater than 1/2 inch thick prevents moisture from absorbing into the soil. Dethatch your lawn if your thatch layer is too thick, using a power dethatcher. Rake up the excess debris, and monitor the lawn to see if it continues to retain excessive moisture.

Over-watering

• Most lawns need 1 inch of water a week. Over-watering your lawn with more than an inch causes soft and moist grass. To find out how much rainfall your lawn receives in a week, place tuna cans throughout the lawn. Measure the amount of water in the tuna cans each week. Turn on the irrigation system and monitor the tuna cans to get an idea of how long it takes to apply 1 inch.

Turf Builder

• There are numerous types of turf builder products on the market. Certain types of turf builder consist of fertilizer, fertilizer plus herbicide or grass seeds and fertilizer. The one you choose depends on the needs of the yard. However, most turf builder products are applied to the lawn in the spring. These products contribute nutrients to the grass for strong root systems. Strong grass root systems are able to absorb water and spread over the lawn.

Application

• Water the lawn if you are using a turf builder product that contains herbicide so the chemicals will stick to lawn weeds. Turf builder that only contains fertilizer does not need to be applied to a wet lawn. A turf builder product that contains grass seed must be applied to moist soil. Distribute turf builder at the rate recommended on the label. Note that all lawn types cannot have a turf builder product application. Avoid using turf builder products on St. Augustine, bentgrass, carpetgrass, floratam, dichondra or lippia lawns.