I have a concern about my... - Ask Extension
I have a concern about my yard. I noticed it about two years ago. There are little mounds of dirt as they would say like a volcano so I thought moles...
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I have a concern about my... #208985
Asked August 26, 2014, 9:15 AM EDT
I have a concern about my yard. I noticed it about two years ago. There are little mounds of dirt as they would say like a volcano so I thought moles. The issue is when I dig there is no hole. I don't see any trenches. The mounds are probably less than half an inch high and maybe an inch round. I did treat my yard for grubs a year and a half ago just in case. I also thought voles. My grass seems to be thinning under my birch tree this year and I notice the grass is coming up in clumps. I am in the process of adding new shrubs and flowers so I have a concern as to what maybe going on with my yard. I notice it more in the fall and it is fine in the spring. It seems to be mainly on my side yard by the birch tree but it is also noticeable in parts of the rest of the yard but not as much and clumps of grass are not coming up in other parts but I do notice a mound here or there. Sometimes it isn't even a mound just some dirt.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
This sounds like normal nightcrawler activity (http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/lawn-and-turf-insects/generalist-feeders/)
but with your description of the other issues with this lawn I suspect that there are some fertility issues going on as well. It would be a good idea to have a soil test done. This will tell you what nutrients your lawn needs to grow evenly and healthily.
If you are thinking about planting new flowers and shrubs it is especially important that you know just what the soil properties and nutrients are so that you can make the best choices. Some plants will not do well in the "wrong" kind of soil.
Thinning under the birch may mean that the tree is taking up all the nutrients it can get just to stay alive. This will impact any grasses that are also trying to grow there. Another thing to consider is that the grasses that have been growing there may need more sunlight and the tree is shading them out. You may need to plant a more shade-tolerant grass seed in this area.
I'm sending you a link that will tell you how to get your soil analysed,
http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/ ,
and another link that has extensive information about how to maintain a healthy lawn:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/maint/maint.htm
There is a lot of information in this last link if you will follow the highlighted links.
I hope this is helpful, Please contact AaE again if you have further question.
but with your description of the other issues with this lawn I suspect that there are some fertility issues going on as well. It would be a good idea to have a soil test done. This will tell you what nutrients your lawn needs to grow evenly and healthily.
If you are thinking about planting new flowers and shrubs it is especially important that you know just what the soil properties and nutrients are so that you can make the best choices. Some plants will not do well in the "wrong" kind of soil.
Thinning under the birch may mean that the tree is taking up all the nutrients it can get just to stay alive. This will impact any grasses that are also trying to grow there. Another thing to consider is that the grasses that have been growing there may need more sunlight and the tree is shading them out. You may need to plant a more shade-tolerant grass seed in this area.
I'm sending you a link that will tell you how to get your soil analysed,
http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/ ,
and another link that has extensive information about how to maintain a healthy lawn:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/landscaping/maint/maint.htm
There is a lot of information in this last link if you will follow the highlighted links.
I hope this is helpful, Please contact AaE again if you have further question.
