Playing fetch, running around and having fun with your furry buddy out on the yard is one of the best things about owning a pet. If your dog uses your lawn to go potty, however, their urine can cause dead, brown spots on the grass called lawn burn. Know more about this common issue and how artificial turf for dogs in Santa Rosa can restore the beauty of your outdoor space.

What is lawn burn?

Dog urine contains high levels of nitrogen. Over time, nitrogen accumulates in the soil within areas where your dog pees, eventually killing the grass. This is called lawn burn.

The effects of pet urine on grass is the same as liquid fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. In small amounts, it can make your yard healthy. Too much, however, will create brown or yellow spots with dead grass.

To prevent urine burn, you need to lower the amount of nitrogen that collects in your yard. Unfortunately, this can be difficult when you have a dog in your home.

Fixing Lawn Burn on a Natural Lawn is Complicated

It’s possible to fix lawn burn without the help of an artificial turf installer in Santa Rosa, but the steps can be complicated. Unless you have enough experience and the proper equipment, you might be damaging your grass further by attempting to fix the lawn burn yourself. If you’re not confident in your skills, you can also hire a professional to do it for you, but it can be expensive.

The following steps are typical parts of resolving the effects of urine burn:

  • Remove as much of the dead grass as you can using a rake.
  • Apply extra-fine ground limestone on the affected spot. Water it so the limestone is absorbed properly, then wait a week.
  • After a week, use topsoil to cover the patches.
  • Sprinkle grass seeds over this soil, then water the area gently every day for several weeks, until new grass grows on the burnt spot.

Aside from re-growing grass completely, you may also fertilize your lawn less to reduce the amounts of nitrogen, but doing this runs the risk of an unhealthy lawn.

Does that sound like a lot of work? That’s because it is! If you’re like the average homeowner, you’ve already got a ton of things on your to-do list without the added burden of dealing with ugly spots on your yard.

Artificial Grass: The Ultimate Solution to Lawn Burn

Unless you have a limitless budget for professional lawn maintenance or abundant time to deal with a damaged yard, the best way to deal with lawn burn is through the installation of artificial turf for dogs in Santa Rosa.

Pet urine drains through the turf’s permeable backing, so it doesn’t get a chance to accumulate in your yard. More importantly, there’s no live grass for the nitrogen to kill, eliminating the problem of urine burn completely.

Aside from providing a long-lasting fix to lawn burn, pet turf also offers the following benefits:

  • Durable enough for the most playful dogs
  • Resistant to digging
  • Mud- and dirt-free
  • Stays green and beautiful forever
  • Low-maintenance
  • Dogs love its realistic texture and feel
  • Can be used to incorporate a dog run into the rest of your landscape

Santa Rosa Artificial Grass specializes in installing residential, commercial and pet artificial grass in Santa Rosa, CA. Whether you want turf to fix lawn burn or simply want a gorgeous lawn without all the stress and work of the real thing, call us at 408-723-4954. We’d love to answer your questions and give you a free quote!