What the lawn is trying to tell you.
Matted down dead grass.
While the grass will start to rise again as spring continues some of it may have died.
Over the winter your grass was probably matted down and flattened as snow and ice piled up.
Mow often enough so that you remove no more than 1 3 the height of the grass blade at one time.
Get rid of dead grass.
The best balance is less than half an inch of clippings because.
Mowing too short weakens the grass plant making it more susceptible to infection.
Lay down a thin layer of good quality top soil we suggest bigyellowbags nature s blend for best results.
Rake the dead areas to loosen any brown grass.
The grass will germinate and root best when it comes into direct contact with soil.
How to repair.
This too could be a fungus problem according to chad diller marketing coordinator for tomlinson bomberger a lawn care.
At least scratch the surface or better yet dig and loosen the top 2 or 3 inches.
As the build up increases the dead matter becomes stacked and then packs down or matts and causes healthy grass blades to become stressed and weaken.
Lay down the sod and water immediately and regularly.
Thatch collects above the soil at surface level and becomes intertwined in grass stems.
When the cycle of decomposition is delayed for any variety of reasons dead matter will begin to build up.
Clear out any dead matted turf and other debris.
Mow when the grass is dry and change the mowing pattern each time you mow to avoid establishing a grain.
Re seed the barren patch of lawn and water if applicable.
Too many grass clippings could be left from your first mowing as well.
Don t just toss seed on.
Do not leave any clumps on the lawn.
If the soil is particularly poor work in a little compost or similar organic matter.
To do so rake up and remove all of the brown dead grass.
Remove the loose dead thatch either with a lawn mower by hand or with an outdoor vacuum.
It is important not to remove all of the grass but just break up the top layer of thatch.
Grass is matted down.