Contact Scientific Plant Service to repair dog damage to your lawn.
You may maintain the best watering, mowing, and fertilization practices for your lawn – but if you have household pets, your lawn might still be at risk for damage. Dogs can do significant damage, but dog owners shouldn’t have to choose between their beautiful lawn and their family pet. Fortunately, you can take steps to repair your lawn if your dog leaves behind any damage. The first step, however, is to understand the damage your dog is likely to cause. Read the following tips on how to repair dog damage for your lawn.
Harmful Waste? Water These Spots on Your Lawn
Unfortunately, dog owners mainly use their front or backyard as a “bathroom” for their pets. Your lawn may be especially susceptible to damage from urine, which will appear as dead brown spots surrounded by a dark green ring of grass. Why does this happen? It leaves a concentrated dose of nitrogen that soaks into the ground, acting as a fertilizer.
Like any fertilizer, too much can burn the leaves and roots. These spots will burn into the lawn, especially in dry conditions more present during the summer. The best way to minimize these eyesores is to water the problem areas to help dilute the large dose of nitrogen. Scientific Plant Service can apply a wetting agent to your lawn which will increase the soil’s permeability allowing the excess nutrients to be dispersed into the soil.
Digging Problems? Fill in and Reseed the Holes
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to digging holes in the yard than others and many puppies are likely to dig. Many dogs dig because they are bored or because their breed is naturally curious and eager to dig. Most dogs will dig if they detect underground critters like moles, mice, or voles. Scientific Plant Service can eliminate these pests.
Besides seeking out training to stop your dog from digging, there are other steps you can take to help decrease this bothersome activity. Provide stimulation throughout your dog’s day so they are interested in activities other than digging up the turf. Giving your dog two or more walks a day so they can release pent-up energy is recommended.
To repair this dog damage on your lawn, you can:
- Make the surrounding area as level as possible
- Fill in each hole with a topsoil mix and gently grade the area to prepare it for seeding
- Spread grass seed and fertilizer over the refilled hole
- Water the seed and keep the spot moist but not saturated
- Keep your dog and family members off the site while establishing new growth
Traffic Wear? Practice Regular Aeration
Your dog doesn’t weigh as much as you, but he can still damage your lawn by walking all over it. Too much traffic on your property – from humans and pets – can lead to soil compaction and dead patches of turf. You can’t prevent your dog from walking on your lawn, but you can repair any dog damage through regular soil aeration. An aeration pass over your lawn can undo compaction caused by traffic.
If you are worried about how to care for your Maryland lawn, even with a dog or two in your household, Scientific Plant Service is here to help you restore your beautiful yard.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.