Walking on grass may seem harmless, but it can actually cause a lot of damage. Here are some quick answers to common questions about walking on grass:
Why is walking on grass bad?
Walking on grass can damage the grass blades, compact the soil, inhibit growth, and leave unsightly pathways.
Does walking on grass kill it?
Frequent walking on grass can damage and even kill grass over time. The pressure from footsteps crushes grass blades and stems.
Should you avoid walking on grass?
It’s best to avoid walking on grass whenever possible. Stick to designated paths and walkways to minimize damage to the lawn.
Damages Grass Blades and Stems
One of the main issues with walking on grass is that it damages the individual grass blades and stems. Grass blades are tender and can easily be crushed underfoot. The weight and force applied by walking compresses the grass plants, tearing and crushing the blades.
This damage is visible right away as bruised, torn and flattened patches. If grass plants are stepped on frequently, the constant damage will weaken and kill the plants. Damaged grass turns yellow or brown and thin areas or dead patches may appear.
Effects of Damaging Grass Blades
- Bruised, torn and flattened grass
- Weakened, yellowed or browning grass
- Thinning or dead patches
- Increased susceptibility to diseases
- Inhibited photosynthesis
- Reduced ability to absorb nutrients
In addition to harming the individual blades, walking on grass can damage the crowns and stems of the plants. The crown is the base of the grass plant located at soil level. The stems connect the roots to the leaves and shoots above ground.
Excess pressure from walking can crush and bruise these plant parts. Damaged crowns and stems disrupt nutrient and water flow within the plant. This weakens the grass, inhibiting growth and making it more prone to disease.
Minimizing Damage to Grass Blades
- Avoid walking on grass when it’s wet – blades are more fragile
- Spread out foot traffic over the lawn
- Take lighter steps on the grass
- Allow grass to fully dry before use after watering or rain
Compacts the Soil
In addition to harming the grass itself, walking on lawns also damages the soil structure. The weight of footsteps compresses the soil, compacting it over time. Soil compaction occurs when the porous spaces between soil particles are squeezed together.
This compaction causes a number of problems:
- Dense, hard soil that restricts root growth
- Poor aeration due to lack of large pores
- Reduced infiltration of water and nutrients
- Buildup of potentially harmful gases like ethylene
- Increase in runoff and erosion
Compacted soils make it very difficult for grass plants to thrive. Shallow, dense soil impedes root system development, preventing roots from accessing nutrients and water. Poor aeration inhibits respiration and the exchange of gases needed for healthy soil processes.
Soil compaction occurs with as little as four footsteps per square inch. Just walking from a driveway to a front door a few times creates compacted soil in that path. Compaction under high traffic areas like events or play spaces can completely prevent grass growth.
Minimizing Soil Compaction
- Avoid excessive foot traffic on lawns
- Use designated paths instead of cutting across grass
- Aerate compacted areas to reopen pores
- Topdress lawns with compost to increase organic matter
- Ensure proper drainage to reduce erosion and runoff
Inhibits Grass Growth
Between the physical damage to plants and poor soil conditions, walking on grass significantly inhibits the growth of the lawn. Growth happens when the grass plants photosynthesize, using sunlight, water and nutrients to produce food energy.
Damaged leaf tissue and compacted soil both disrupt this process. Fewer healthy grass blades mean less photosynthesis. And poor nutrient and water uptake through compacted soils provides less of the essential ingredients for growth.
Walkways and high traffic areas often show stunted growth compared to the rest of the lawn. The constant force slows growth as the grass struggles to recover and flourish.
Growth may stop completely if soil compaction and plant damage is severe. Continued traffic slowly kills the grass until bare patches appear. These dead zones continue expanding as more grass dies off.
Improving Growth in Damaged Areas
- Reseed damaged areas to establish new plants
- Fertilize to provide extra nutrients for recovery
- Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots
- Reduce foot traffic to minimize compaction
- Aerate compacted areas to allow better infiltration
Creates Unsightly Paths and Tracks
In addition to harming the health of the lawn, walking on grass also creates unsightly paths, tracks and dead patches. These issues detract from the appearance of the landscape.
Repeated footsteps flatten the grass, creating visible indented pathways. These paths disrupt the uniformity of the lawn, drawing the eye to the damage.
Muddy footprints and tracks also appear in soft soil after rain or irrigation. These muddy walkways look messy and diminish the lush green lawn.
Bare or thinning areas from grass damage create additional eyesores. Dead or dying grass stains the lawn yellow or brown.
The visual impact varies based on the amount of foot traffic and soil conditions. But any pathways or dying grassreduces the aesthetic appeal of the landscape.
Fixing Unsightly Lawn Damage
- Reseed, aerate and fertilize damaged areas
- Limit foot traffic to allow grass to regrow
- Accept natural pathways will develop
- Install gravel, mulch or paved pathways
- Block access to areas that must stay pristine
When Walking on Grass is Unavoidable
Sometimes walking on grass can’t be avoided, such as accessing a yard with no hardscaping or walking a pet. In these cases, there are a few things you can do to minimize lawn damage:
- Stick to one path. Consistent foot traffic in one area compactes soil less than dispersed traffic.
- Walk on grass when it’s dry. Wet soil and plants are most vulnerable to damage.
- Take light steps and don’t pivot or drag feet.
- Allow grass to recover between uses. Rotate access to different areas.
- Water and fertilize affected areas to encourage regrowth.
- Accept some damage and pathways as unavoidable.
While these tips reduce potential harm, frequent foot traffic will still damage grass over time. Limit walking on grass whenever realistically possible.
Different Grass Types and Their Resistance
Certain grass species and cultivars handle foot traffic better than others. When selecting grass, consider the lawn’s expected traffic levels:
Cool-Season Grasses
| Grass Type | Traffic Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Tall fescue | Good |
| Perennial ryegrass | Good |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Moderate |
| Fine fescue | Poor |
Warm-Season Grasses
| Grass Type | Traffic Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Bermudagrass | Excellent |
| Zoysiagrass | Good |
| Centipedegrass | Moderate |
| St. Augustinegrass | Moderate |
As shown, grass types like bermudagrass and tall fescue withstand foot traffic well. Grasses like fine fescue and centipedegrass are easily damaged by excessive traffic.
Selecting a Grass for High-Traffic Areas
- Choose wear-tolerant cultivars if available
- Prioritize traffic resistance over other factors
- Avoid fragile grass species like fine fescue
- Transition zone lawns can grow both cool and warm season grasses
- Overseed high traffic areas regularly for best coverage
Alternative Groundcovers for Heavy Traffic
In areas that experience extremely high foot traffic, alternative groundcovers often work better than grass. Some options include:
- Mulch
- Gravel
- Paving stones
- Ornamental grasses
- Low-growing sedum
- Creeping thyme
- Groundcovers like vinca minor or lemon thyme
These walkable plants and materials hold up well to regular trampling without constant damage. They provide a tidy, uniform appearance and don’t need mowing.
For moderate traffic zones, a mix of grass and alternative plants can be used. Turf bordered by mulched beds or stone pathways help direct foot traffic off grass.
Keep Off Signs and Barriers
In some cases, physical barriers are needed to keep people off grass. Solutions include:
- “Keep off the grass” signs
- Ropes, chains or fences around lawn perimeters
- Landscape boulders, mulch or gravel borders
- Raised lawn beds
- Planters boxes around lawn edges
- Boardwalks overgrown grass areas
Barriers provide a visible cue to pedestrians to stay on designated pathways. Funneling traffic to specific areas relieves pressure on the rest of the lawn.
Temporary fence barriers work well for events to prevent large crowds from trampling grass. Signs serve as friendly reminders for everyday foot traffic issues.
Long-Term Effects of Walking on Grass
While an occasional walk across grass likely causes minimal damage, regular foot traffic triggers cumulative issues over time:
- Declining lawn health and increasing bare patches
- Progressively more compacted soil
- Expanding network of permanent dirt pathways
- Increasing presence of weeds and invasives not deterred by footsteps
- Conversion of lawn to hardier mosses and groundcovers
- Soil erosion and runoff problems from excessive compaction
Without rest and recovery periods, grass slowly deteriorates under consistent traffic. Preventative solutions like designated walkways or protective barriers become more critical.
Eventually the cumulative damage becomes difficult or impossible to repair. The lawn may need complete renovation and reseeding to restore it.
Preventing Long-Term Damage
- Install stable pathways early before issues arise
- Communicate and enforce foot traffic rules
- Aerate at least once per year
- Overseed worn areas in fall and spring
- Allow grass to recover between uses
- Periodically cordon off damaged areas
Conclusion
Walking on grass may seem harmless, but over time it damages plants, soil and the lawn’s appearance. The best solution is to avoid walking on grass when possible by using designated paths.
If occasional foot traffic can’t be avoided, stick to one path, walk when soil is dry and allow the grass time to recover. For moderate traffic, choose durable grass species and transition to sturdier groundcovers as needed.
With preventative care and solutions, lawns can tolerate light overall foot traffic. But restricting access is key to maintaining thick, healthy turfgrass.
