When you bought Scott’s Bonus S, you did not think it was going to kill your grass, did you? This popular lawn treatment is widely used, and not only is it supposed to be a herbicide, but a fertilizer too. So what’s happened here? Surely, it should only do great things for your lawn? Well, this is what might have happened.
So why did Scotts Bonus S kill my grass? Scotts Bonus S can kill grass if too much is applied or it is used too frequently (with or without the correct proportions). The condition of your grass at the time of its application could also be a factor, as well as the time of year.
Scotts Bonus S is something of a double-edged sword, threatening to harm your grass if used incorrectly.
Unfortunately, despite the potential for it to restore a lawn to its former glory, it can indeed be detrimental (as you have discovered), causing your grass to die a death of yellowish-brown patches and an unsightly multitude of weeds. Quite the opposite intention.
So, below, I’ve outlined what could have caused Scotts Bonus S to damage your lawn in much further detail and how you can avoid and mitigate any potential damage.
I’ve also provided some tips on how to keep your lawn healthy and green all year round.
Keep reading to learn more!
Why Did Scotts Bonus S Kill Your Grass?
Incorrect Proportions
Scotts Bonus S is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, two essential nutrients that are needed in order to promote healthy plant growth.
However, if you apply too much of it, the excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause damage to the soil, making it overly acidic, and ultimately leading to a decrease in the overall health of your lawn.
In addition, the excess nitrogen and phosphorus may also cause excessive weed growth, which can crowd out the desired grasses and plants in your lawn.
It’s not ideal!
Frequency of Application
Applying fertilizer to the grass too often can be a costly mistake.
Scotts Bonus S should be applied just twice a year, at the very maximum.
Too much of it will cause your grass to burn, resulting in its discoloration and emergence of dead patches, and as mentioned above, making it is overly susceptible to weeds and even diseases.
Time of Application
Avoid applying fertilizer to your grass during periods of extreme heat or cold. Rather, the best times of year to apply Scotts Bonus S are during late Spring and early Autumn, provided the conditions are mild.
These calm conditions will enable your grass to absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer as best it can, taking it that much closer to greater health.
Grass Condition
Although fertilizer is essential for equipping grass with a good old-fashioned nutritional boost, it comes as a surprise to many that your grass should really be in good condition even before applying it.
For instance, is it dry?
Are there any patches of discoloration or dead spots?
Is it lush and thick or thin and sparse?
All of these things will affect the effectiveness of the fertilizer, so it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of the grass before applying it and take action accordingly.
Can Grass Grow Back Once Killed by Scotts Bonus S?
Grass can grow back even if it has been killed by Scotts Bonus S.
By this point, you’re probably wondering if it’s even possible to revive the dead grass on your lawn.
Well, good news! Grass is a resilient plant, and it can definitely recover from being killed by Scotts Bonus S.
With a little bit of effort and dedication, you can revive those dead patches and have a lush and healthy lawn once again.
See below!
How To Restore Grass Killed by Scotts Bonus S
Restoring grass killed by Scotts Bonus S is possible, but it will take some effort on your part.
Here are the core steps you’ll need to take.
Soil Testing
Step one, investigate! What exactly caused the grass to die?
Soil testing helps us identify any deficiencies or excesses in our soil, which can lead to problems like nutrient deficiencies, nutrient leaching, or pH imbalances.
Only when we have this information can we take the necessary steps to improve our soil and ensure that our lawn is getting the right amount, and even type, of nutrients.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating dead grass is a great way to improve the health of a lawn. It helps to break up soil compaction, which can cause your lawn to become sparse, weak, and lifeless.
As a result, you’ll improve the drainage and increase the amount of oxygen, nutrients, and water that are able to reach the roots of your grass.
Aerating can also help to reduce weed growth, as the plugs of soil create a barrier that prevents new weeds from taking hold.
Reseeding
Once you’ve aerated your plot, you may want to consider reseeding, a relatively easy and cost-effective way to restore the appearance of your lawn.
It involves removing the dead grass and replacing it with new grass seeds before lightly covering them with soil to protect them from wind, birds, and other elements that may damage or wash them away.
After this, be sure to water them daily to ensure that they have adequate moisture to germinate and grow.
Focus on Watering
Dead grass is usually dry grass, and there’s no question that dry grass needs an abundance of watering.
In such a case, it’s best to water your lawn deeply to allow the water to reach the roots as well as help the grass to absorb moisture.
Additionally, make sure that your water is evenly across your lawn to avoid creating a patchy mess.
Finally, remember to avoid over-watering, as this can drown the roots and create an environment in which fungi and other pests thrive.
Ongoing Maintenance
A well-maintained lawn is a sight to behold, and it’s not hard to achieve if you keep a few simple steps in mind.
These steps are all the more important when you have a case of dead grass on your hands.
From soil assessments to regular watering and thoughtful fertilizing, it’s fundamental that you establish an optimal albeit sustainable routine in the garden.
It’s also important to mow your lawn regularly.
Doing so will keep your lawn looking neat and well-maintained and promote the further growth of healthy grass.
How to Use Scotts Bonus S More Effectively in the Future
Scotts Bonus S doesn’t have to be harmful to your grass. In fact, it has the potential to exist as an extremely useful component of your overall lawn care routine.
The fact of the matter is technique is everything. So here are a few useful tips to keep in mind:
Use The Right Proportions
First, don’t apply too much Scotts Bonus S to your lawn.
That means applying the correct proportions of it, as well as not applying it too often.
In fact, it should only be applied a couple of times a year when the weather is at its most agreeable, i.e., during Spring and Autumn rather than Summer and Winter.
Check Soil Health
Furthermore, keeping tabs on the health of your soil will enable you to better understand the overall condition of your lawn.
If your grass is in a problematic state, at least you’ll be fully informed and resultantly able to avoid applying Scotts Bonus S to it until its returns to an adequate level of health.
If you couple these best practices with a consistent lawn care routine, you can be sure that Scotts Bonus S will benefit, rather than destroy, your beloved grass!
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