Dog Wee Killing Your Lawn?

7 tips to save your lawn from dog urine spots

Got a furry friend turning your lawn into their personal loo? No worries, we've got the lowdown on keeping your green space lush and your pets chuffed. Here's the dirt on spotting and fixing those pesky pet pee patches:

1. Yellow or Brown Patches: Dog pee is high in nitrogen, especially for females. While nitrogen can be a fertilizer in small amounts, in the concentrated amounts found in urine, it can cause grass to burn, leading to these discoloured patches. On the plus side, if dog wee is browning your lawn, it’s likely your up to date with your fertilising schedule – nice work, mate! 

2. Ring of Greener Grass: Sometimes, you might notice a greener ring around the yellow or brown patch. This occurs because the edges of the urine spot receive a diluted amount of nitrogen, which can actually act as a fertilizer in smaller doses, making the grass at the edges grow greener and faster than the surrounding lawn. It’s probably time to give your lawn a feed, if so.

3. Foul Odour: Hot days might bring a bit of a pong from the pee spots. That's the ammonia in the urine, getting all feisty in the heat.

4. Patchy Performance: Your lawn might look like it's had a rough night, with patches of damage and random lush spots thanks to your dog's toilet tours.

5. Crusty Earth: Repeated pee visits can leave the soil as crusty as a day-old pie, blocking water and nutrients from getting to your grass.

Recognising these signs early can help you take action to repair the damage and maybe even train your dog to use less conspicuous parts of the yard—or better yet, a spot that’s not on the lawn at all.  

Here’s what you can do to help:

Quick Fixes to Save Your Lawn

1.     Douse the Dots: Spot a new pee patch? Give it a good soaking to water down the nitrogen. 

2.     Fertiliser: if you’ve got dark circles – not brown ones – it’s likely your lawn is a little nutrient deficient. Give it a bit of a feed with a slow-release nitrogen fertiliser.  

3.     Repair Damaged Spots: For areas that are already yellow or brown:

• Gently rake the damaged area to remove dead grass.

• Water the spot deeply to help flush out excess salts.

• Apply a thin layer of topsoil to help restore the area.

• In badly affected areas, lay new turf that matches your existing grass type. Keep the area moist until the new grass establishes. 

Playing the Long Game

1. Pee Patch: Train your pooch to use a special spot for their business. Mulch or gravel works a treat and keeps your grass in the clear.

2. Hydration Station: Keep your dog's water bowl topped up to dilute their pee naturally, making it less of a lawn assassin.

3. Dietary Deeds: Heard about dog rocks or diet tweaks to save your grass? Have a yarn with your vet before going down that path. 

4. Lawn Love: Regular mowing, watering, and fertilising keep your turf tough enough to bounce back from pet pee peril.

5. Rotate the Roster: Mix up where your dog can roam to keep the wear and tear even Steven across your yard.

Stick to these tips, and you'll keep your lawn looking ace while your furry mate enjoys their backyard paradise. Consistency is key, so keep at it, and your lawn will stay as green as a gator's back. Cheers to keeping the peace in your patch of paradise!