My Grass Isn't Growing

Grass is a type of plant used as a ground cover. Ground covers prevent erosion by holding soil in place by its roots. Most lawns in the United States are covered in grass. When establishing a lawn, steady growth is necessary to prevent large patches from forming. Slow-growing grass or grass that is not growing at all may indicate that you are not taking care of the grass properly, and a change is required in your care practices.

Shovel
Plastic container
pH test
Lime
Fertilizer
Fertilizer spreader
Garden hose
Mower

Instructions

- 1
  Take a sample of soil from several locations throughout the yard; dig 4 inches deep using a shovel. Place the soil samples in a plastic container and shake it thoroughly. Pour a small amount of water into the soil so it is cloudy and pour the soil and water mixture into your pH testing kit. Test the pH according to the instructions and compare the reading to your grass type's required pH level.
- 2
  Add lime to your soil if the pH is below 6.2. Use the reading from your pH kit to determine how much lime to add to your lawn. A chart is often printed on lawn lime packaging. Spread the lime over the lawn and water it to sink it into the soil.
- 3
  Fertilize the lawn according to your grass variety twice to three times a year: once in the spring, again in late summer and in fall before winter. Add 1 pound of nitrogen to the lawn per 1,000 square feet. Spread it over the lawn using a fertilizer spreader and lightly water afterward to activate the fertilizer.
- 4
  Mow your grass regularly, removing only 1/3 of the blade at a time. Set your mower height before mowing to remove only this much of the blade. Mowing larger amounts damages the grass.
- 5
  Water the lawn so that it gets 1 inch of water each week. Adjust your watering according to the rainfall in your area.

How to Plant Grass That Already Has Been Grown

How to Shred Ornamental Grasses

Growing Grass