5 easy steps to identify and repair an UGLY LAWN. Spring Lawn Dead patches, brown grass, overwatered

Have a lawn that looks like this? I teach how to diagnose and repair lawn problems. This lawn has a front yard that looks brown and half dead. The back yard looks like a spotted cheetah and is very thin, with a few large dead areas.
Products Used in Todays video:
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked as “PAID LINK” are affiliated. Please make me money and spend yours.
Yard Equipment
🛒Sun Joe Scarifier 15 inch model
Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2Qoeeic
🛒Sun Joe Scarifier and dethatcher (REQUIRES 12Gauge Extension Cord)
Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2MPTHQG
🛒 12gauge 100ft extension cord
Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2MQ7hn3
🛒 Thatch Rake
Amazon (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/rimz6luc
🛒 AMS soil probe
Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2ZMBJQJ
Thanks for tuning in! I specialize in solving lawn problems and implementing strategies to fix lawn problems. Weather you have crabgrass that's not dying, too much thatch, lawn fungus, over watering problems or an ugly lawn there's not a lawn problem I can't solve. Try the Ginja 5 Steps to diagnosing a lawn you'll be glad you did. Don't forget to checkout my playlist.

[@zmjackson1]

These types of vids were the reason I subscribed. I learn so much more looking at how to fix crappy lawns. Thanks!🎉🎉

[@pestandlawnginja]

Rad! Love that you’re finding value

[@bbtank3000]

Same here. I love the "what's wrong with my lawn?" series. Helped me identify all the different issues.

[@golddigger9326]

I get so tiered of watching you slay lawns that I'm too tired to slay my own lawn 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍

[@pestandlawnginja]

😂😂😂 Love it!

[@t.j.schmidt9877]

We had one week here in Wisconsin that hit the 70s & 80s. Things greened up, I used my Sun Joe Dethatcher on the highest setting just to clean off the debris. Now it's been back in the 40s with some of the nights in the upper 20s. So I'm still waiting for the final warm up before I scarify. Hopefully I can get a couple passes done as it warms up.

[@pestandlawnginja]

I hear that! same crazyness here!

[@ubtravels7646]

TJ. Cheesehead here in Oak Creek, Wi.

[@t.j.schmidt9877]

@@ubtravels7646 Nice, I'm from Appleton.

[@shanew7361]

Slay that lawn baby 🇺🇸

[@pestandlawnginja]

That's what i'm talking about!

[@homer009x]

The amount of knowledge you lay down is mind blowing. Love it.

[@pestandlawnginja]

Glad you're finding value! Love it.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

lol dethatch horror flashbacks lol no joke! I was glad to spend a little bit on the Sun Joe!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Dethatching with a thatch rake is a death sentence hahaha

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

@@pestandlawnginja when I did it a few time at my previous address, I was thinking I deserved a vacation haha

[@pestandlawnginja]

@@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736 bet!

[@elkskiutah8204]

Thatch rake is torture

[@graceortiz9494]

Ginja is back! Love it!

[@pestandlawnginja]

👊😀

[@jamesgasper262]

Glad to see you back with what's wrong with my lawn. The info is awesome and you explain things so that us lawn ninjas can use it in our lawns. I'm in new Hampshire and appreciate you and the five step diagnosis program.

[@pestandlawnginja]

perfect! Love the feedback. that's exactly what I'm aiming for.

[@steveknievel]

The got the right man for the job to sort that mess!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Thanks!

[@nathanmerrill.Design]

I appreciate your responding to my question about when to plant the barrenburg rprg in my area. I know you're busy, so thank you for making time for me. I like all your videos. 😊

[@pestandlawnginja]

You’re welcome Nathan! Thanks for the support

[@Aerialphotovito]

love these diagnosis G keeps me on my toes when I look for my own issues that may occur

[@pestandlawnginja]

awesome!

[@Steve-oo7vv]

I use that RTF tall fescue up here in Massachusetts. I love it.

[@pestandlawnginja]

awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@TofuInc]

I used Barenbrug's Turf Saver RTF mixed with 30% Turf Star RPR for my backyard. It's amazing how it can take such a beating and fix itself.

[@pestandlawnginja]

Soo true! I love the dark color as well

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

my previous address, which I moved from last Sept, I had some brown patches the previous year 2021, and the only reason I know that i had a mold problem from over watering was by watching your channel. I can't remember what I bought or if I got it form Lowe's or Amazon lol, but I dialed back my watering a bit and treated it, and I think I let it grow up so I could bag it in my mower bag. I think it took a couple of mowing sessions to get it all, but I remember mimicking what you done on one of your older vids

[@pestandlawnginja]

Great to hear!!! Keep slaying that lawn

[@daviddorge1559]

This channel is so underrated. Great videos every time

[@pestandlawnginja]

Thanks David! Love the feedback

[@ubtravels7646]

Ginja, thank you for admitting the water conservation area in Utah. Think it awesome going fescue. Im lucky in Wisconsin that we can work the KBG naturally.

[@pestandlawnginja]

gotta do my part :) Thanks for watching.

[@mikestahl2657]

Good information!!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Thanks Mike!

[@TarnishedGamer1]

Glad to hear that tall fescue is the way to go here In Utah. I started overseeding with it last fall. I probably should have used the brand you recommended in the video 😂

[@pestandlawnginja]

Many benefits to tall fescue

[@pmutah]

You are the man

[@pestandlawnginja]

you are lightning fast brother!

[@bryceglissmeyer1016]

Super interesting about the back yard being overwatered. 4:59 My side yard with KBG is mostly covered under two Maple trees. The soil is similar to Mojave desert cracked soil. I have a hard time growing KBG in the side yard and I thought it was primarily with the lack of sun with the shade of the two Maple trees. I’ll need to reevaluate my water levels. Thanks, Ginja!

[@jseiorse]

Over water and underwater can look similar (oddly) if you've trees normally the root system is competing for moisture with the grass and its (normally) underwatered

[@pestandlawnginja]

I agree with Joe. overwatering and underwatering can appear to be the same. the issue with this lawn is in its current state its underwatered. however, once the flood irrigation starts here next month i'm super confident its a swamp. as for the trees they indeed can drink up a lot of water. I would probe those areas regularly and check the water levels. you may need to hand water in that area to keep up.

[@bryceglissmeyer1016]

Interesting. Thanks guys for the insights.

[@mattb9664]

I'm fighting some erosion chutes and channels. They were awful last season on the 1000 sq ft side yard, and it's time to fix it to get some quality roots into the soil. Filled everything in and leveled, but need to hit it again as some heavy rain caused a tiny bit more erosion. Need to fill in some more and compact those spots, but it mostly stayed put. If I wait longer before overseeding though, need another scalp and cleanup. This is the part of this stuff where it's annoying and sets you back in schedule!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Nice! Love you’re out there getting it done! Slay that lawn!

[@rub3rbandman597]

I grew up just down the road from that house. I knew the owners a couple years ago. Not sure if they are the same people.

[@pestandlawnginja]

right on! I'm not sure if its the same ownership or not.

[@garrylay134]

Brilliant video. I have a small lawn with poor drainage (on clay) thinking of thatching then deep aerating. And putting down 50/50 sand and top soil. And then seed. Do you think that would help thanks garry from england.

[@pestandlawnginja]

its a great idea, but I'd rather aerate then drop the sand / soil so you can truly amend the soil and help with the drainage.

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

I got you beat! my lawn at my new address is non existent! I do see some Bermuda here and there. I did rake a lot of leaves this spring, and I left some of the leaves over the winter on purpose for some of the nutrients, and I do see the color darker where the leaves were piled on all winter! I'm seeing a lot of baby green sprouting but it's so small that it will be a minute before I can see if it's weed or more Poa Annua, which there is a bit of, or what else. I'm waiting to start with the Sun Joe. Besides, I just sprayed my second round of weed control a few days ago, and I do see the weeds losing haha

[@pestandlawnginja]

Fingers crossed it’s not poa 😅

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

@@pestandlawnginja lol me too, that stuff is so brutal!

[@bencannon4419]

I contracted with your company this year. The parts that are working are beautiful but I was hoping for better advice on the terrible spots than “tear it out and start over”. The lawn has only been in two years, if I start over, I think it will just die again

[@pestandlawnginja]

awesome. give us a call and setup a lawn assessment. we can get you the answers you need to get the lawn where you want it.

[@evelyntaylor742]

Looking forward to seeing the project progress! When should I think about watering in SLC area with sandy loam soil this time of year while trying to encourage root growth? Hand watered a small area today which was showing signs of water stress. Most of the soil penetrates 4" with a screwdriver test with some areas showing 2".

[@pestandlawnginja]

I’ll start watering once or twice a week next week for low amounts of time. Ie.. 5 min per station if we don’t get rainfall

[@evelyntaylor742]

@@pestandlawnginja Thanks Ginja! Is that 5 min/station for your low output MP Rotator? My popups will put out about 1/8" if I run them for 5 minutes.

[@pestandlawnginja]

@@evelyntaylor742 10min for mp rotators. Be sure to measure water depths and keep them at 5” to 8” . More will give you fungus and less will dry out the soil. We’re only keeping up with evaporation

[@jaceegreenhalgh]

We are a new build so we hired a landscape company 2 years ago... We STILL have seams in our sod. I believe they didn't do nearly enough top soil and because of that we have had a hard time getting the grass to grow. But I'm not the expert. We are also in Utah (northern) Could we just add topsoil over what we have to eventually have a thicker base for the roots?

[@pestandlawnginja]

lines in sod is no fun and very common. top soil is best if you have large seams. My suggestion is to get a cup similar to a golf course divot replacer cup and dump the dirt in the seams. its much easier this way. Other than that you can level the entire lawn. I have a leveling guide. Its not easy but its worth it.

[@MichaelWilliams-yf1eo]

Man my front yard got hit hard with snow mold due to a very heavy and wet winter we had in South Western Ontario. I've detached and just waiting for the weather to warm up before laying seed and fertilizer.

[@pestandlawnginja]

I bet. we've been getting similar storms passing through. crazy times.

[@LawnCareNinja]

Great video! I have a few customers that have similar issues that you showed in this video. I'm wondering if I could sell them some services to help bring their lawns back. Appreciate it!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Slay those lawns baby!!! love hearing it.

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

First Aussie 😁. Ginja, informative.😎

[@pestandlawnginja]

Thanks T

[@ryandesousa5949]

so temps are at 65/70 consistently here in Iowa now. But after watching this video, i for sure need to remove some thatch from my lawn. My question is: is it to late to do a dethatching since my lawn has greened up quite abit?

[@pestandlawnginja]

As long as the lawn is actively growing you’re good to go. The warmer it gets the longer it takes to recover. Other than that it’s fine

[@ryandesousa5949]

@@pestandlawnginja great, appreciate the feedback. Great channel you have, just found it but already subscribed and looking forward to watching upcoming videos you post in the future!

[@aimeemcdaniel4146]

I love your videos! I’m up in Sandy, just north of you. I have a ton of lawn issues - and that’s just my front lawn! I need help with a diagnosis: i have large brown rings in my lawn that have been here some we moved in 7 years ago and they are spreading and getting larger. I hired a lawn company to help solve the problem but they didn’t even touch it. Inside the brown rings some of the grass is green again, but it’s causing those areas of my grass to sink a couple inches! Any suggestions?!

[@pestandlawnginja]

It's a disease called necrotic ring spot. I have a video on it. It's controllable through use of fungicide but ultimately it's best to clean them out and plant ryegrass, which is immune to the disease. Go to great basin turf in west jordan and buy barenbrug rpr

[@aimeemcdaniel4146]

@@pestandlawnginja thank you! I’ll find that video and check it out

[@melanie010203]

I’m going to be over-seeding with RTF once the temps stabilize. I will prep with dethatching and scarification. I don’t have a peat moss spreader and to be honest I don’t want to use one because my property is so sloped and I’m recovering from shoulder surgery. It would be too difficult. Any suggestions?

[@pestandlawnginja]

I wouldn’t use peat moss without a peat moss spreader. If it goes on too thick it won’t work well. The peat moss spreaders are not super heavy or labor intensive. Other than that I’d use a screened garden top soil

[@peterson94647]

Hey Ginja. I used the soil test you recommended and it’s great but my results say I’m low in nitrogen 3.64 and potassium 10.88 and I live in Michigan. What numbers for fertilizer would you recommend for soil correction? Love the vids man. Thanks

[@pestandlawnginja]

I'd go with the 17-0-4

[@peterson94647]

Thanks for the advice. It’s awesome that you engage with your subscribers in the comments. Keep up the slaying.

[@elkskiutah8204]

So the barrenburg fescue looks different bunching tall fescue?

[@pestandlawnginja]

yes, very different. the blades are a tad smaller in diameter and the grass is very consistent throughout. non clumping.

[@elkskiutah8204]

How do you rely on water saturation test after this past winters snow. Except you can see eiit penetration.

[@pestandlawnginja]

that's where the soil probe comes in. I can see it and feel it in the soil.

[@opticyclic]

You should do a live stream with Ron Henry so that people can ask you all the questions live instead of in the comments!

[@pestandlawnginja]

Love the idea!

[@opticyclic]

I bought a SunJoe Scarifier+Dethatcher and as soon as I press the handle it tries to pull away from me like a bat out of hell. It doesn't look like this in your timelapse. Is there something wrong with mine?

[@pestandlawnginja]

sounds like the height may be set too low. start high to end up low :)

[@sticksandstones1885]

🤔 I wonder what a police officer would say about that hat 🤣

[@pestandlawnginja]

well..... 😂😂😂

[@dennispage5333]

And I'm betting the PH is high 7s to 8s Utah lake water.

[@pestandlawnginja]

not shocking. most the valley sits at a 7.2 . I don't mind it. I think anything close to a 7 is great. allows for me to slam the fertilizer when necessary.

[@reneewarner8182]

I used a Surfactant on my crap grass and yes it is working, what do I now that the grass is is dead?

[@pestandlawnginja]

you can remove it or wait it out for 4 to 6 weeks as the grass grows over it.

[@DStek42]

Got new sod. Noticed there was both some poa and crabgrass. Is this common?

[@pestandlawnginja]

Well…. It can be. I’d be a little miffed

[@elkskiutah8204]

Yes it's common. I got poa in my biosod and 8 crabgrass clumps came up in 1 2x5' piece. I was only patching

[@BenNawrath]

Where can you get RTF these days? Couldn't find it last year.

[@pestandlawnginja]

domyown had some and some local suppy stores had it.

[@BenNawrath]

@@pestandlawnginja oh nice! Maybe there was a shortage last year or something.

[@pestandlawnginja]

@@BenNawrath wouldn't surprise me.

[@lancelongman1650]

can you come out an help me figure out my lawn im in utah county

[@pestandlawnginja]

give our office a call at 801.477.1289

[@bbtank3000]

Beard in 4k 😎

[@pestandlawnginja]

👊🏻

[@janeidebezerra3743]

🤩🤩

[@pestandlawnginja]

love it!

[@Striperman]

Well almost 😂

[@pestandlawnginja]

looks like lightning mcqueen beat you!

[@Striperman]

@@pestandlawnginja time to up my game 😂

[@Striperman]

First

[@pestandlawnginja]

soo close!

[@wittworks]

Ginja. 1) I'm a big fan. 2) Congrats on your success. 3) However, your thumbnail is uglier than Barb's lawn. What's going on?

[@pestandlawnginja]

LMAO, yes it is. I have yet to have a great idea for a thumbnail on how to portray this series "what's wrong with my lawn" my adience doesn't seem to like super fancy thumbnails as well. I get less clicks on super well done thumbnails. however I'm willing to try anything.

[@artieartya]

wow this is lawn-a-geddon. I'm so stressed out watching this

[@pestandlawnginja]

😅😅😅🥳🥳🥳 it’s not so bad once you have a general understanding of where to begin

[@artieartya]

@@pestandlawnginja all that work to enjoy your one or two months of summer and then back to freezing, cold and snow?