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Science-based gardening information for Colorado communities from CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Green Industries of Colorado.

1509 – Patchy Lawn   arrow

Why is my grass thin?

Thin grass is often a sign that a lawn has not had enough fertilizer or water, the soil is too compacted, there is too much wear and traffic on the lawn, or the lawn has a disease or insect problem.Patchy lawn

What should I do when I have thin grass?

First diagnose the cause of the thinning lawn and proceed from there. Pest problems are usually the least common reason for a thin lawn, while improper fertilizing, watering or mowing are the most common reasons. Excessive traffic from children or pets is another common cause.

Once you have determined and treated the cause, routine lawn management will thicken the grass back up. You can shorten the process if you aerate the thin areas and over-seed them with a good quality seed.

For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).

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