How Can I Thicken My Florida Lawn?

A lush, healthy lawn can make your Florida property look beautiful while also providing a great place to play and hang out with your loved ones. Likewise, a dry, patchy lawn can become a bit of an eyesore, discouraging you from wanting to spend time outdoors. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to help keep your lawn thick and lush. Here are some tips to make your Florida lawn green and healthy.

Optimize Your Soil Health

A healthy lawn starts with healthy soil, so arrange to have your soil tested before you do anything else. This will help you identify any nutrients that are lacking in your soil so that you can take steps to remedy it. The results from your soil test will let you know exactly what you need to do to bring your soil back to the proper pH level so that it can best absorb nutrients, in turn, providing them to your lawn to keep it thick and healthy.

Overseed or Resod Your Lawn

Overseeding is a relatively simple process that can be an option with some northern grasses. This is done by laying new seeds within the grass you already have. This encourages new growth within your lawn, helping it look thicker and more vibrant. Late spring is the best time to overseed. The warmer weather will give the seeds a chance to take root before the hottest weather hits. However, for most grasses in southern Florida, resodding will likely be your best bet.

Fertilize As Needed

Even with proper soil care, the nutrient levels in your soil can still deteriorate over time. This is a natural process that you can’t really avoid. However, you can take steps to correct it through soil testing and fertilizing. It is important to note that you should only fertilize when your lawn is in its active growth phase. If your grass type goes dormant in the winter, it won’t be able to absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer, leaving them in the soil and causing them to leech out of it. When the grass is growing rapidly, it can pull all of these nutrients from the soil so it can thrive.

Water Properly

Once your lawn is thick and healthy, of course you’re going to want to keep it that way. This starts with watering the right amount for your particular grass type, as some prefer more or less water than other varieties. In general, you want to strike the perfect balance of moisture, not letting your lawn dry out, but not overwatering it to the point of sogginess either. If you are unsure which type of grass you have, the Duda Sod team can help you identify it so you know how much it likes to be watered. Be sure to comply with any watering restrictions in your area as well.

Mow to a Healthy Length

Different types of grass have varying optimal lengths, but no matter which type you have, there is a specific length that will help your grass thrive. Aim to mow about every two weeks to keep your lawn at its optimal height. Again, Duda Sod can help if you aren’t sure of your grass variety. In most cases, you’ll need to mow more frequently in the summer when your grass is growing at its quickest, and you can back off a bit in the winter when growth slows down.

Keep Weeds at Bay

Weeds are the bane of any gardener’s existence, and you’ll need to be vigilant to keep your Florida lawn weed-free over the years. Do your best to remove any weeds you find as quickly as possible, taking care to pull the root out as well. For some stubborn weeds, you may need to use a chemical treatment to get rid of them and keep them from coming back. Aim to restore your lawn as soon as possible after weed treatment to minimize thin, bare patches in your lawn.

Fill in Gaps with Fresh Sod

If the other measures listed here haven’t restored your lawn to beautiful, healthy thickness, you may need more drastic intervention. Bare, empty patches may require sod to bring them back to life. Whether you are looking for St. Augustine, Bahia, Zoysia, Floratam or any other variety of sod that grows well in Florida, Duda Sod has what you need. We offer a wide range of sod for sale in Florida, so reach out to us today to find exactly what you need to keep your lawn thick and lush.