Lawn renovation is a process of rejuvenating a lawn by improving conditions that are unfavorable to healthy grass growth. This usually includes removing thatch, aerating, overseeding and topdressing. It may also include specific soil improvements if necessary. Lawns that are severely damaged by pets, insects, disease or poor soil have the potential to be renovated with improved turfgrass varieties that are drought tolerant and more resistant to pests. Normally, the best time to renovate is the Fall, but this can be done in the spring as well.

A good lawn depends on a number of factors such as soil drainage, proper soil pH, aeration, fertility and thatch. If these conditions are not optimal, the result will be an unhealthy, sparse and weedy lawn that is difficult to maintain. This can be caused by many things including improper maintenance, poor soil composition, unfavorable weather conditions and a general lack of care.

Over the course of time a lawn will accumulate thatch which is a layer of dead and dying grass stems, root and buds. A thick layer of thatch will prevent the grass roots from growing into the soil, which can lead to a number of problems.

Generally speaking, the thicker the thatch, the less likely the roots will grow into the soil and the less likely the root system will be to absorb nutrients. Overtime this will eventually starve the lawn of its needed nutrients and water, resulting in a weakened lawn. Aerating and dethatching will help to reduce thatch levels by restoring passageways to the soil for roots to penetrate.

Renovating a lawn involves removing existing turf and replacing it with new, improved turfgrass seed. This is typically a more resilient and attractive species that can better withstand the conditions in your landscape, such as drought, insects, shade, cold temperatures, salt, traffic and dogs.

The process of renovating a lawn can be daunting for the homeowner and is best performed with professional assistance. It is also important to carefully plan the work. This will help ensure that the steps required are completed in a timely fashion, as Mother Nature is normally ruthless with her extremes of weather and can throw everything out of sync very quickly.

The optimum time to perform a lawn renovation is in the Autumn, particularly from September through October. This allows the grass seed to germinate and establish before the winter. Moisture is normally plentiful during the fall and can aid germination of the new seed. A light Autumn fertiliser dressing can be applied to give the new grass a boost as it begins to establish. It is a good idea to cover the new seed with a light fleece layer (available at garden centers) if birds are a problem or if temperatures are predicted to drop as this will speed up germination and also protect the seed. If broadleaf weeds are present a preemergent herbicide, such as Siduron, should be applied prior to the renovation to allow for a more successful weed control program.