Lawn Burn

[Lady's Daddy]

I have small brown spots on my lawn from Lady's urine. They are quite unsightly. I live in a subdivision and I'm worried that this may become a problem with the community. My question is: Does anyone else have this problem and what do you do to eliminate the problem? I've read about how to alleviate the problem, but I'm afraid the solutions aren't quite practical. Does anyone know of some products that could be used to help the problem? I know there are some products out there that claim to help, but I was wondering if anyone knows of proven products to help solve this irritating problem. HELP!!!!!

[corgimom]

We have always had the same problem and I know there are lots of things out there to help with this, but I have never tried them. Every spring, I re-seed the burn spots with new grass seed. Another option, and I have seen my neighbor do this, is to just keep a watering can filled outside where you normally go and every time your dog goes, water down the spot - it does work; I should really just do this.

[CorgiMum]

Before we made a special potty area, previously Monty's urine burned the grass too.

This is what I found worked a charm. Lime. If you get hold of a piece of gyproc, (new construction area) rip of the paper if you can to make it look better and break it up into small pieces. Put that on the grass burns and keep it well watered for a few day and you should see the grass coming back greeen again.

You could also have a watering can on the ready and water in the urine soon after it hits the grass.

Some people have put garden lime on theirs, now I haven't tried that so I don't know if it works or burns as well.

[corgimom]

I have some powdered lime that I add to the soil of certain plants - is that what you are talking about ?- the only thing is on the package it says you should try not to inhale the dust and to wear gloves when handling - I would be a bit worried about putting this on the grass only in case Cody might get into it - are we talking about the same stuff?

[CorgiMum]

Yes, that's the lime that I heard about, you would water it in I assume, but as I said I haven't tried it, so don't know if it works.

[corgimom]

It is great for Clematis if you have ever grown that - I may have to try the lawn thing - I have not heard that one before.

[Fluffypants]

They sell things to help with lawn burn at Drs. Foster & Smith
www.drsfostersmith.com
I have never tried any, but maybe worth a look?

[lricch565]

We have the same problem with Mazie. It is funny, but she only seems to be burning out our yard - I think it may have something to do with the fertilizer my husband uses. When she periodically tinkles in the neighbors grass, it doesn't leave a mark.

My husband is the yard-man at our house, and those nasty brown spots won't do for him. We should own stock in Patchmaster - there is always a new spot of grass growing in.

He does usually put a dose on lime on the grass in the spring to help thicken it up, I'll have to mention this thread to him for another option.

Lisa

[Shelly]

Is the lime safe if the corgi's taste test it. My corgis eat bugs, bunnie poop, anything at their level. And they go out the doggie door to go potty so I don't observe their actions. When I had one corgi (female), I rarely had burn spots. Now that I have two (one female, one male) they tend to layer their "calling cards" so a few white spots are starting to appear.

[corgimom]

Shelly,

I don't think I would let your dogs taste it - and Barbara mentioned that you would apply it and then water it in, but I guess I would still watch the dogs to keep them out of it.

Our neighbors had huge yellow spots near their patio this spring from their two large dogs so they made a special area for the dogs with pea gravel. It is near their deck, but they put shrubs and mulch around this area to help disguise it so the neighbors can't see it and now this is where the dogs only go to do their pee duty.

[KatC]

A lot of garden and dog forums have suggestions as to various remedies for the lawn burn, but the most consistent answer is that the only thing that really works is to dilute the area with water immediately. Perhaps you could carry a water bottle - it would dilute the Nitrogen a little bit which may help. (I bought the dog rocks that you place in the water dish, guaranteed to work ........ Abby just kept lifting them out and running off with them .................... so I cannot give a verdict on this method.

[Michael Romanos]

I believe it is the acid in the dog's urine which discolours and burns grass and can also affect the health of some plants. There are products available from pet shops which help nullify the acid. You add a bit of the powder or liquid of the product to a dog's drinking water and that neutralises the acidity.