Knowledgebase

2 lawn questions #314135

Asked April 17, 2016, 10:00 PM EDT

1)  How to treat "lumpy" lawns

2)  I did a light weed and feed 3 wks ago, can I do it again?  

Weld County Colorado

Expert Response

Thank you for contacting the Weld County Master Gardeners.

When the question of a “lumpy lawn” comes up, the cause that comes to mind is earthworms and/or nightcrawlers. It would seem to be unfortunate to have these little critters, but actually, these little critters are beneficial!

Earthworms and nightcrawlers are considered beneficial to healthy lawn soil. Earthworm activity helps recycles nutrients and organic matter into the lawn soil; earthworms are natural decomposers of turf grass thatch and clippings. The earthworm is nature’s natural aerator!   

Normally earthworms are found within a couple of feet of the lawn surface, where food is abundant.  As the earthworm burrows and feeds, what is ejected is used to line its burrow, or is pushed to the surface; this natural aeration provides turf roots easy access to water and oxygen.  Because of our highly compacted soil, which is high is clay; earthworms also serve a great purpose in breaking up soil compaction as well as turf thatch.  In a nutshell, a lawn’s lumpy appearance is the result of the earthworm’s burrows and castings.

So what can a homeowner do if their lawn becomes “lumpy”? Pesticides can be used but extreme caution must be taken, since some pesticides can be severely detrimental to earthworms. Earthworm activity can be greatly reduced by lawn aeration, top dressing and lawn dethatching. I’ve included a link to Earthworms and Nightcrawlers in the Home Lawn, as well as Lumpy Lawn; these are CSU Extension publications that will provide you the details needed to make educated decisions of treatment.  I have also included publications entitled, Lawn, and Basic Turf Management Principals, both outline fertilization timelines of application of lawn fertilizers, and the amounts needed. I believe these will be beneficial to you.    

CMG Program Yard and Garden Publications: CMG GardenNotes #554:  Earthworms and Nightcrawlers in the Home Lawn: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/554.html

Plantalk Colorado: Lumpy Lawn #1508: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1508.html

Plantalk Colorado: Lawn #1500: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/ptlk1500.html

CMG Program Yard and Garden Publications: CMG GardenNotes #551: Basic Turf Management Principals: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/551.html

Liz U
Weld County Colorado Master Gardener
525 North 15th Avenue
Exhibition Building, Island Grove Park
Greeley, CO 80631
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Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners Replied April 20, 2016, 11:54 PM EDT

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