12 Facts About Grass You Should Know

While most people don't think about it too much, grass adds to the ambience of any abode. Whether as an addition to the rest of the flora or a catnip, you can't deny that grass has a special place in every backyard or lawn.

In light of that, here are 12 crucial facts about grass you should know.

1. How do I keep "cat grass" alive?

After a hearty meal, your little pawed friend loves to chew on cat grass. However, it can only last a few days without proper care. You can keep the cat grass in your home by taking care of a few things.

To keep your cat grass alive, only water the grass when you observe the top of the soil drying up. Try to trim the cat grass once a week. The height of the cat grass should remain less than 5 inches. Mulch every few days to lock in the nutrients and prevent weeds. Resowing your cat grass from time to time can also promote new growth.

As your pet nibbles on the cat grass, routinely cleaning it is an excellent idea. You may also want to check on any pests such as aphids, slugs, or gnats during the process.

2. How to reseed grass after killing weeds?

Once you apply a solution to take care of the weeds, it is wise to wait for two days before sowing the seeds again. The soil can retain some of the chemicals, which can quickly kill the early roots of the grass.

Rake and till the ground before beginning the seeding process. Before you start seeding, lay down approximately one inch of topsoil. If you are using a drop spreader, use half of the recommended amount in one direction before beginning in the next. Top the seed with a top dressing and apply some fertilizer.

Don’t forget to water the soil twice a week after seeding.

3. What should I do after tree removal and stump grinding to prepare for grass?

Removal of the stump leaves a large hole in the ground that you need to fill.

Clean up any remaining wood chips and sawdust. Grab a shovel and turn over the topsoil. Then, you can add a small-release fertilizer to make the soil rich with the necessary nutrients.

Once you finish the seeding, you need to irrigate the soil twice daily. As you observe the seeds sprouting, you can ease off the watering process.

4. What should I do about coarse, thick grass growing in my lawn?

Coarse grass can sprout up on your lawn due to weeds, weather conditions, or lawn compaction.

For mild sprouts, you can counter it by raking lightly or mowing more frequently. The weed infestation might not be so severe, and you can remove them by hand. If there are more troubling patches, rolling and spreading the topsoil over the grass might help.

Add more water and nitrogen-rich fertilizer. If you’re still struggling, you can try renting or buying a sod cutter to remove the patches entirely.

5. How long do you water after planting grass?

You need to irrigate your lawn twice a day after planting fresh grass. Any patch of the lawn should not receive more than 1.5 inches of water, including rainwater.

It will help the seeds absorb the water properly and loosen the soil for sprouts. If you are using sprinklers, a ten-minute session in the morning and evening is enough.

However, once you have the grass growing, you may need to switch up. For growing grass, you need to water deeper and less frequently.

6. How can I harvest my own grass seed?

It is relatively easy for you to harvest your grass seed.

First, you need to let it grow to the correct length. The grass should be ready to harvest within 20-30 days. Next, check the condition of the seeds. If the top of the seed shatters when you hit it along the palm of your hand, you can begin the harvest. Softly, run your hand upward from the inflorescence base to collect the seeds.

Put them all in an airtight container or wrap them in a soft cloth before storing in a cool, dry place. Remember, the seeds are very delicate, so you may need to use gloves to prevent any damage.

7. How to fill low spots over existing grass in my yard?

Low spots in the lawn come about due to a lack of nutrients in that part of the soil. Thus, you can swiftly rectify the problem by nourishing the area.

You can use a 50-50 mix of sand and fresh topsoil. Compost is also an excellent alternative. Spread the mixture evenly over the patch of low grass.

Be sure to add no more than half an inch of cover at a time.

8. How do I get rid of the large cracks in my lawn due to the lack of rain?

Without proper irrigation, you can spot the soil drying up and large cracks in the ground. These can prevent the grass from growing and make infestations of weeds and other pests easier.

It is best to mend the soil gently to remove the cracks. First, aerate the area with several small holes, each a few inches deep. Then, rinse the ground with double the volume of water as usual.

Repeat the process till you see fresh patches of grass along the sides.

9. How do I quickly remove crabgrass?

A crabgrass infestation in your lawn is hard to avoid. Yet, you can quickly get rid of any new sprouts through various methods.

The quickest way to remove crabgrass is to pour boiling water. It instantly wilts the crabgrass, although it might also affect other plants in the area. A safer option is to use vinegar with at least 5% strength by volume. A mild herbicide can do the job as well. Another tried-and-tested method is to pull out crabgrass by hand.

Generally, crabgrass does not have deep roots, but you can always use a weeder tool to reduce time and effort.

Keep in mind that mature crabgrass can spread seeds around its patch, causing you further problems in the future. Therefore, it is best to seal the pulled crabgrass in a trash bag or a plastic container.

10. Why does my grass have bright green patches?

Your grass can have dark green patches through an increased nitrogen concentration in the soil.

Bright green patches occur due to fairy rings, uneven fertilization, or your pet mistaking your lawn for a bathroom.

Fairy rings occur due to improper decomposition of organic matter in your lawn. It can happen if you recently removed a tree without properly disposing of the stump. It attracts fungi that feed on that organic matter, releasing nitrogen into the soil.

If you use nitrogen fertilizer, you may unevenly distribute it over the lawn by mistake. The nitrogen-heavy areas turn dark green. It may also happen as the fertilizer flows towards other patches during irrigation.

Your four-legged best friend might not think of toilets the same way you do. Dog pee is rich in nitrogen, which means that your pet has a favorite spot to urinate on the lawn.

11. How can I control unwanted grass in flower beds?

The simplest way to control unwanted grass is to remove it manually. You can use a rake or weeder tool if the problem is too extensive. Alternatively, you can use newspapers to block the sunlight or sprinkle a mild weedicide every few weeks.

Use a strong product only when the grass remains persistent since it can also be harmful to the flower bed.

A common reason for grass growth is the uneven distribution of nutrients. Re-mulching the flower bed exposes the extent of the infestation and grants you freshly aerated soil to work with.

12. Is throwing grass seed without dirt enough?

Throwing grass seeds without dirt or topsoil makes the germination of the seeds difficult and exposes them to the elements such as frost and pests. Furthermore, exposed seeds don’t effectively absorb nutrients and water from the soil.

It means that large patches of your lawn can develop fairy rings or dry up over time.