My Grass Will Not Grow

Lack of Sunlight

• Most grass types need at least six hours of full sunlight to grow. Certain types like St. Augustine and bent grasses thrive in shady areas, whereas Bahia and Kentucky bluegrass will not grow in shade. According to Clemson University Extension, areas of the yard that receive less than four hours of sun will not be able to support grass growth. Grass grown in these shady areas will experience stunted growth, discoloration and a low tolerance for cold weather.

Thatch

• Thatch is the layer of both living and dead organic material that is woven between the blades and soil. All grass types naturally produce thatch; however, problems arise if the layer is more than 1/2 inch thick. Grass root systems will not properly establish and the result is bare areas or thinning grass. You can rent a de-thatcher from a local hardware store to remove thick layers of thatch. It is best to remove thatch in the spring when grass is actively growing to reduce the stress that de-thatching causes grass.

Fungal Diseases

• Numerous types of fungal diseases, such as melting out, cause grass to stop growing. Melting out is caused when the fungal disease leaf spots moves down the sheaths of the grass blades and into the roots. Eventually, grass begins to die out and leave thinning grass or bare areas. Leaf spot can be treated with a fungicide, but melting out can only be treated by overseeding bare areas. It is important to treat the leaf spot when overseeding or your new seedlings may contract the fungal disease.

Inadequate Soil Nutrients

• Lawns that display stunted growth may be growing in soils lacking nutrients. Grass needs the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in fertilizers to grow. Most soils do not have all of these nutrients, because they get used up quickly by grass. Fertilizer applications help promote strong root systems and grass growth. Typically, gardeners can fertilize their lawns in the spring with a fertilizer high in nitrogen or 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.