Wednesday, 28 September 2022
How to save your lawn from dog urine?
Dog urine spots in your lawn are often caused by a combination of factors, such as poor housekeeping habits, overzealous dogs, and too much sun exposure. In most cases, it takes just a few quick fixes to eliminate the problem. Keep reading to discover why dog urine, and other canine activity, can have a devastating effect on your lawn and how you can prevent it.
Why does dog urine kill grass?
Dog urine contains high levels of nitrogen and salt. While both are essential for plant growth, they can combine to form a high concentration of nitrogen and sulfates, which can harm the roots of grass. In addition to causing damage to your grass, these chemical compounds can burn the grass, or create brown or yellow grass patches.
You should know that while pee from all dogs will likely kill grass, some factors affect the severity of the problem, including gender, age and frequency. According to researchers, the most common type of lawn damage caused by dogs is due to what is known as spotting, where small concentrations of urine are left behind on surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, and turf.
Spotting is usually caused by female dogs, because they typically urinate in one area and move on, creating more concentrated urine. Male dogs often mark multiple spots around tree trunks and other objects. This is referred to as calling.
How can you identify dog urine damage in grass?
The most obvious sign of dog urine damage is dead grass, which manifests as brown patches, yellow patches, and unsightly spots that change the overall appearance of your otherwise lush-green lawn:
- Brown spots: When dogs urinate, they often do so in one spot. This spot becomes darker than the rest of the lawn because urine contains urea, which causes the grass to turn yellow or brown.
- Yellow spots: When your canine companion relieves itself, the urine gets concentrated into a small area where the bacteria thrive. This creates a specific environment that makes the grass yellower than the rest of your yard.
How can you fix dog pee spots on lawns?
Dog urine stains can make your lawn look unkempt and unattractive. Luckily, there are several things you can do to ensure that your lawn stays healthy and beautiful, no matter what happens to it.
Here are the steps you need to follow to prevent dog urine spots from ruining your lawn:
- Water the brown spot thoroughly: This step is important because it helps water penetrate into the ground and ensures that the seeds are planted properly. You want to make sure the entire area is wet. While watering, make sure that the whole area gets enough moisture to help the seeds germinate.
- Plant the grass seeds: To plant the seeds simply dig a hole large enough for the grass seed to fit in, place the seed in the center, add dirt over the seed, and tamp down firmly. Make sure the hole is deep enough to accommodate the root system of the new grass. Also, make sure that the hole isn't too big. The smaller the better.
- Water again: Once the seed is planted, water the area well. Make sure the water goes directly into the soil, and not onto the grass itself. Don’t forget to water the area again, once a week for the next few weeks. This will keep the grass healthy and ensure that it grows quickly.
Will grass grow back after dog urine damage?
Yes, the good news is that with a little bit of patience and a few home remedies, you can grow your lawn back. If you're concerned about the effects of dog urine on your lawn, there are several things you can do to make sure that your grass grows back strong and healthy.
First, you'll want to take steps to prevent future damage. This includes making sure that your pet doesn't pee on your property, keeping your lawn free from debris, and regularly cleaning up messes around the house. Next, you'll want to address the damage that has already occurred. If your lawn has been damaged by dog urine, you'll want to wait until the grass is dry before applying a lawn fertilizer or watering it.
How to prevent dog urine damage in your lawn
If you have dogs and they are prone to marking their territory, then there may be some urine stains on your grass. These can be difficult to remove because urine is acidic, and therefore eats away at the lawn. To help you get rid of yellow and brown spots on your lawn, follow these expert tips.
Nitrogen trapping
There are studies being conducted on animals and humans to determine whether the large intestines can be used to effectively eliminate waste products like ammonia from the body. This is a process called nitrogen trapping. While this won't completely do away with the staining caused by excessive urination, it can reduce the amount of nitrogen in your dog's pee, and lead to less frequent urine staining.
Dilution with water
If you see your doing peeing on your lawn, you can water the area. This will cause the water to mix with the urine and dilute it. The diluted urine will then act like a fertilizer as well as release lower amounts of nitrogen into the soil.
Walk your dog
Walking your dog gets three things done at once. You exercise, your pet exercises, and you minimize the changes of your dog peeing on your lawn. If you live near a park, you can walk your dog there regularly. Otherwise, you can go for a walk around the block.
Train your dog
A recent study found that training your dog to go outside in designated areas can reduce the amount of damage done to your lawn by 50%. While many people think that grass clippings are a big problem, the truth is that some breeds actually prefer to urinate in certain places. If you want to save money and improve the look of your lawn, simply train your dog.
How to repair dog holes and other lawn damage
Dog owners know how quickly a puppy can turn into a destructive force on a property. A few weeks old, they are full of energy and curiosity. When they start digging, it might seem like a fun activity, but it can lead to serious issues later on. Digging creates small holes that can become big problems over time. If left unattended, they can damage landscaping foundations and structures, including walls and fences.
To repair dog holes, you can fill the holes with high-grade topsoil, and gently press the soil to make sure there aren’t pockets of air underneath. You should compress the soil until it becomes firm and flat. After this, you should fill the hole with more topsoil and repeat the process until the hole is filled and compressed. This helps prevent future problems and discourages further digging.
Lawn care services
When you have a dog, lawn maintenance can be difficult, especially when you begin to notice yellow and brown patches on your lawn. Lawn care is time-consuming which is why many people decide to leave this in the hands of experts.
At Vertdure , we are committed to helping you maintain a lush lawn. We offer different lawn care packages, all of which are designed to make your outdoor space as attractive as possible. From pest control to weed control, to aeration, our lawn care experts will ensure that you have a lawn to be proud of for years to come.