Why is my lawn so squishy and lumpy?

[GNGiveaways]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me why my lawn is so squishy and lumpy? It's not just in one spot, it seems to be everywhere and some spots are sinking. We just bought the house in the fall and the lawn was VERY unmaintained because it was a repo and it felt the same way then. I have sifted through the dirt a little about found some white worms (not sure if this is related at all). Not grub sized worms though. Like little larva looking things. Are these just baby grubs?

If you have any insight or advice for me that would be great. Thanks!

[Jamie42]

I think this is normal for spring time; the grass was pretty much hibernating, then all the snow melted (considering you're from ON). The worms too are normal, and are probably larvae.

[xlxo]

First thought... weeds

• previous owner might have pulled out weeds and never filled the divots
• or they never pulled out the weeds and the weeds grew big creating unevenness
• thatching.... lawn might need to be dethatched where the dead grass roots need to be pulled out. Power raking can level the lawn.
• I made the mistake once of uneven fertilization... while loading the spreader, I spilled some fertizer and burned the lawn

Hope you don't have chauffer beetles like the West Coast. They are a nightmare to control with raccoons digging up the lawn.

• http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/chafer.htm
• http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/c...9-72722214e3c3
• http://www.burnaby.ca/City-Services/...Turf-Pest.html

[GNGiveaways]

I think this is normal for spring time; the grass was pretty much hibernating, then all the snow melted (considering you're from ON). The worms too are normal, and are probably larvae.

The lawn was pretty much the same in the fall though.

[GNGiveaways]

First thought... weeds
-previous owner might have pulled out weeds and never filled the divots
-or they never pulled out the weeds and the weeds grew big creating unevenness
-thatching.... lawn might need to be dethatched where the dead grass roots need to be pulled out
-I made the mistake once of uneven fertilization... while loading the spreader, I spilled some fertizer and burned the lawn

Hope you don't have chauffer beetles like the West Coast. They are a nightmare to control with raccoons digging up the lawn.

I have noticed some holes in my lawn and we do have some raccoons living in our crawl space unfortunately. How would I tell if I have chauffer beetles?

The lawn was completed unmaintained for over a year. When we moved in the lawn was almost up to my chest. I don't see a lot of weeds. It seems to be mostly grass.

[xlxo]

Is the lawn in the shade... does it get lots of sunlight? Is it mossy? Does it drain well? In addition to lime, moss, fertilize... I also aerate my lawn with soil punching/coring. It helps the lawn breathe by increasing the surface area.

http://lawngreen.com.au/wp/wp-conten...e-aerator1.jpg
http://www.eco-scape.ca/images/coreaeration.gif

[Ciel]

Sinking soil-any chance that a load of soil was quickly spread but not tamped down? Or a hole made or sewer work were done and the ground's settled over winter? Might have to level up the soil, tamp it down and reseed the yard. 2012 fall work-mounds of dirt left over trenches filled in. Late spring 2013, the mounds were raked out and added to if needed.

Ground does shift, as this winter has proven with our back walkway. An area last spring had not been levelled until May 24 weekend and the snow loads/freezes/thaws caused movement beside and under the walkway. Water!

[xlxo]

I've been busy in recent weeks with my lawn care and have some additional tips....

Leaves... cherry blossoms. Rake them up and put them in the trash/green bin every few days. Left over composting leaves affect sunlight and water on the lawn making it grow uneven. If the leaves cake up hard, I use a cultivator to gently break up the leaf mass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXS_UobuhBs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-TqDY3nfo

When clearing snow on sidewalks and parking spaces.... avoid using salt and dumping the snow on the lawn. The melting snow/salt solution may not be good for the lawn.