Some of us don’t have a choice but to use our lawn as a path to our front and back doors, cars, or sidewalks. Some of us have kids and pets who are constantly using the yard as a playground. And frankly, sometimes it’s just easier to walk through the yard. Regardless of why or how, certain areas of your yard probably endure more traffic than others. Frequently walking across your lawn crushes the grass and compacts the soil, which causes it to wilt and even die. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to combat the problem and keep your yard lush and green, even in those high-traffic areas.

• Grow resistant varieties. An easy way to minimize wear on your lawn is to simply plant grass that can withstand traffic better than others. Bermuda grass and Kentucky Bluegrass are both particularly strong and do well in the Nebraska climate.
• Aerate soils. Heavy traffic compacts soil, which crushes air pockets and prevents oxygen, nutrients, and water from circulating through it. In turn, the grass itself cannot get the nutrients it needs from the soil and eventually dies off. High traffic areas in your lawn need regular aeration, which perforates the soil with small holes to allow water and other materials to move through it. This can be done by hand with special tools, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
• Mowing tips. It can be helpful to alternate your mowing pattern each time you mow your lawn so you’re not repeatedly walking over the same areas over and over again. Additionally, you should let grass grow in high traffic areas as tall as possible without being unsightly. Avoid adding sand to these areas, which will compact the soil further.
• Avoid wet grass. Wet grass compacts much easier than grass that is dry. After rainy weather, grass is more susceptible to damage and will tear very easily. If your grass is wet, take an alternate path if at all possible.
• Pave it. If nothing else helps, it’s always an option to lay a different material in areas of heavy traffic. Consider building a stepping stone path or a flagstone walkway over frequently used routes in your yard. A stone pathway can give add charm to your yard and enhance its look, all while alleviating the need to repair certain areas of your lawn.

Damage to your grass due to heavy traffic can be inevitable. There are several quick, easy things you can do to prevent this from happening, but if your lawn is beyond repair, you may need to enlist professional help to restore it back to health. Plant new grass, lay new sod, or build a beautiful new walkway, all with the help of GE Landscape Supply!