Grass can sometimes be hard to grow in spots around the yard, or it grows very thin. There are usually good reasons for these occurrences that can be corrected by altering how you treat the lawn or soil. In some instances, no matter what you do, the grass won't grow well. When this occurs, other things should be considered, such as what type of grass you are growing.
Apply a selective herbicide to your lawn using a spreader for a granule herbicide or a sprayer for liquid herbicide. Selective herbicide will target weeds and leave grasses alone. Some weeds tend to choke out grasses, and they all steal nutrients that are intended for the grass. So in order to have a healthy lawn, you must first remove the weeds.
Test to see if your soil is right for the grass you are growing. You can use a soil test kit to find out the level of pH, nitrogen and other nutrients. Grasses grow well in soils that are above 6.0 in pH. Fertilizers can adjust the levels based on the test results.
Select a variety of grass that is known to grow well in your area. If you choose grasses incorrectly, it can cause frustration when you try to get it to grow well. Picking a grass seed that adapts well to the types of soil in your area and does well in your climate is a much better choice.
Water correctly. All grass needs water, but you shouldn't over water. Leaving standing water or watering in the evening, when the water will sit in the dark, promotes mold and mildew growth. This will lead to unhealthy grass that won't grow as well, and will create dead spots. Watering in the heat of the day wastes water because most of it evaporates, and water that sits on the grass in the sun is overheated and magnified by the sunlight. This can burn the grass. The best time to water is first thing in the morning. Most of the water has time to be absorbed by the grass and soil, and the rest will evaporate in the early afternoon.
Cut grass at the recommended height for its type. Different grasses grow better at different heights. Cutting it shorter or letting it get higher than it prefers might cause it to be unhealthy.