how to repair bald spots in your lawn

^{Steps to Repair and Fix Bald Spots in Your Lawn}

• Clear the area. First, take a rake and clear the dead grass out of the area. This is usually not to difficult, as the roots are also dead.
• Lime. Lime is a caustic substance used to reduce the acidity of the soil. It is imperative that you not skip this step.
• Topsoil. Topsoil is the top two to three inches of soil. It is dark and nutrient rich and contains microorganisms that helps plants to grow well.
• Grass Seed. You will need to reseed the patches of lawn where the grass has died. ...
Fertilizer. You can fertilize your entire lawn, including the bare patches, immediately if you choose. ...
Water. Make sure to water your lawn daily to help the new grass to grow well. ...
Lawn Care Services. While it is easy to repair and replace the grass in your lawn, you may feel more comfortable calling a professional lawn service to do so.

How do you patch a bald spot on a lawn?

Here are the essential steps to patching bald spots with sod. Patch up a spotty yard with a little compost and sod. Cut out the patch area in a rectangular shape. Use a shovel or sharp spade to dig out the brown grass — roots and all — cutting out a little beyond the patchy area and into the green grass, and several inches deep.

How do you fix a bare spot in your lawn?

Use a sharp shovel or garden knife to cut a patch of sod grass that is slightly bigger than the bare patch in your lawn. The patch should extend 2 inches or so beyond the edges of the bare spot into the healthy grass area. Cut Out the Old Turf Place the patch over the bare spot.

How to patch a sod lawn?

Patching With Sod 1 Cut a Sod Patch Use a sharp shovel or garden knife to cut a patch of sod grass that is slightly bigger than the bare patch in your lawn. ... 2 Cut Out the Old Turf Place the patch over the bare spot. ... 3 Prepare the Soil Loosen up the soil in your patch area, using a shovel, garden rake, or cultivator. ... More items...

Why does my lawn have bald spots on it?

And if the bald spots are caused by a lawn grub problem, new bare patches will crop up as soon as you repair the old ones, unless you address the grubs. There are two easy methods for restoring bald patches in your lawn: reseeding and patching with sod.

Will grass grow back in bare spots?

Some species of grass do spread and will fill in the bare spots once growing conditions are corrected. Some examples include Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). While this method requires less labor and attention, it is not the fastest option to repair your lawn.

How do I treat bald spots in my lawn?

How to Reseed Bare PatchesRake the Area. Rake and remove any debris or dead grass from the area, using a garden rake. ... Loosen the Soil. Break up the soil with a hard-toothed lawn rake or a garden cultivator. ... Amend the Soil. ... Spread the Seeds. ... Rake the Seeds. ... Begin Watering. ... Mow When Ready.

Why is my lawn getting bald spots?

Bald spots can be the result of heavy foot traffic -- which you can prevent in the future -- but also disease, weed, or insect infestations. You have to get rid of the problem before you plant new grass.

What is a good grass seed to fill in bare spots?

Consider perennial ryegrass, chewings fescue or tall fescue, all bunch-type cool-season lawn grasses that can be used to fill bare spots.

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on lawn?

Can you just sprinkle grass seed on top of your existing lawn? While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result.

What is the best lawn patch product?

Best Overall: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix 82% of 29,000+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

How do I reseed a bald spot in my lawn?

Rake the area well, picking up any leaves and debris in the turf. Cast the seeds over the turf, and then spread about a half an inch of compost or topsoil on the lawn. To get good seed-to-soil contact, gently rake the seeds and soil into the grass. Water the seeds in the early morning and evening until they germinate.

Should you put topsoil over grass seed?

Do not put top soil over grass seed, but you can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them.

What Causes the Problem?

Hard or compacted soil can make it difficult for grass seed to grow because the roots are unable to access the air and soil nutrients they need to grow.

Fixing the Problem

The best solution is to overseed the lawn or introduce some fresh seed into the bald areas. We recommend either Black Beauty ® Ultra or Black Beauty ® Fall Magic™ grass seed mixtures:

What is brown patch in grass?

Brown Patch is a disease that often plagues cool-season grasses , specifically in the summer months, when it is hot and humid. These patches can be up to several feet across. Powdery Mildew is when your grass looks to be frosted. White powder grows on the grass, eventually killing it.

Why is my grass thinning in Florida?

Even in hot Florida weather, if an area is not receiving sufficient water during irrigation, it may cause thinning of grass during extended periods of no rain. Here’s what to look for: Killer weeds love to march into your lawn and steal the nutrients that your grass needs to thrive.

What is Evergreen's lawn care?

If you are a homeowner that cares about having a healthy, thick carpet of green grass all year round, Evergreen can help. We offer lawn services that will keep your lawn green, and let you spend more time with your family rather than working in your yard. With over 30 years in the lawn care industry, we know how to get the job done right, and we love seeing the results of our work. Don’t let bald spots take over your lawn! If you have any questions about fixing dead patches of grass or want a professional to take care of it for you, feel free to give us a call at 407-880-6655!

What is white powder on grass?

White powder grows on the grass, eventually killing it. Bug infestations are easy to identify if you can find the culprit. Look for Tropical Sod Web Worms, Army Worms, or even Chinch Bugs in small bald spots that seem to grow a little bit each day. Removing the grass, fertilizing, and watering the area should solve the problem.

What is the number to call for dead patches of grass?

Don’t let bald spots take over your lawn! If you have any questions about fixing dead patches of grass or want a professional to take care of it for you, feel free to give us a call at 407-487-3896!

What is a dollar spot?

If you aren’t sure which measure to take, ask a professional! Dollar Spot is patches are round spots that are the size of a quarter or silver dollar.

What are the bugs that are in my yard?

If you find earthworms, ladybugs, honey bees, or beetles in your grass, leave them be!

How to keep seed from washing away?

If you have a large area that you are patching, or if part of the area is on a slope, consider using a seed blanket to keep the seed from washing away.

Can you thicken grass after winter?

Chances are that after the long winter, there are at least a few patches in your turf that are sparse, or completely bare. Those spots can lend themselves to erosion, and spoil the overall appearance of your lawn. Fortunately, there are some fairly easy steps you can take to thicken or replace the grass in such areas.

Causes of Bare Spots in the Lawn

Bare spots in your lawn can be the result of heavy foot traffic (causing soil compaction), drought, disease, chemical burn and weed or insect infestation. Before beginning repairs, you need to determine the source of your problem.

Grass Planting Options and Methods

Once you have addressed the cause of the bare spots, it’s time to repair the damage. In most areas, the best solution is to replant the bare spot with new grass. There are several options:

Repairing Bare Spots

1. Dig up the area to a 6-in. depth, breaking up the clumps. (If the problem was caused by a spilled chemical such as gasoline or an herbicide, remove several inches of surface soil.)

Why is my lawn getting bare patches?

Bare patches in an otherwise full, healthy lawn may be the result of pet urine, heavy foot traffic, infestations by grubs or other pests, or a variety of other causes. There are several ways to effectively patch these areas, but you also need to consider the causes and correct them if you can.

How to get rid of grubs in my yard?

Rake the Area. Rake and remove any debris or dead grass from the area, using a garden rake. 1  Now is also the time to examine the area for grub damage. If the damaged patch of lawn pulls up easily, like a rug being lifted, you may have a grub problem that needs correcting.

How long does it take to patch bare spots?

A very easy and inexpensive method of patching bare spots is with seed. It only takes about 20 minutes of your time, plus some upkeep until the first or second mowing. Its drawback is that it will take several weeks for the patch to be mowable, and as much as six months for it to fully blend into the rest of your lawn.

How to break up soil?

Break up the soil with a hard-toothed lawn rake or a garden cultivator. If the soil seems heavily compacted, you might consider aerating it with a core aeration tool. This simple manual tool cuts aeration holes in the soil when you drive it into the ground with your foot.

How long does it take to reseed bare patches?

Reseeding Bare Patches. This easy method is inexpensive and requires only about 20 minutes of your time, plus some upkeep until the first or second mowing. Its drawback is that it will take several weeks for the patch to fully blend into the rest of your lawn. 1 .

How long does it take for sod to grow?

Sod will develop a shallow root system in about two weeks, but a deep root system can take as much as six weeks. If you live in a zone where hard frost arrives in early December, for example, it would be best to plant sod patches no later than mid-October.

How to spread seeds evenly?

Rake the Seeds. Lightly rake in the seed to distribute it evenly. This will also cover some of the seed with a thin layer of soil, which can help keep it in place but typically is not necessary. Until the seeds germinate, you may need to protect the area from birds.

How to keep bald spots from drying out?

Generally, a few dollar-store pinwheels on stakes throughout the bald spot will work. 7. Water the area lightly to keep the seeds and any sprouts moist throughout the day. On especially hot days, you may want to cover the seeds with burlap or hay to keep them from drying out.

What is the best way to fix a spotty lawn?

The final cure for your spotty lawn is to let your grass fix itself . This self-healing applies only to creeping grasses, as noncreeping grasses, like bahiagrass, require seeds to spread.

What is a sod transplant?

A sod transplant is a quick way to get immediate results, as it places fresh sod in the bare patches. Initially, the sod may look out of place up close, but it’ll look great from a distance. After it settles in, no one will ever know it was a transplant, though.

How do creeping grasses spread?

These creeping grasses don’t require seeding to spread. Instead, they spread via underground rhizomes or aboveground stolons. Once you install the plugs, the rhizomes and stolons spread, resulting in new grass.

Can you fix bald spots on grass?

Spotty grass can make your otherwise lush turf look neglected. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fix those balding patches of grass. Whether you prefer the immediate gratification of laying sod in the bald spots, the cost savings of letting it fix itself, or something in between, the key is getting started now.

What Causes Bare Spots in Lawns?

Bare spots in lawn areas can be caused by a number of things, and knowing how to fix patchy grass starts with identifying your lawn issues. Take the time to investigate, and try to get to the bottom of your bare spot mystery before taking the steps necessary to correct the problem. Otherwise, you may continue to repair bare spots without addressing the actual cause.

How to fix a weak grass patch?

Mix Your Seeds. The best way to avoid overplanting – which causes weak and spindly grass plants – is to mix one part seed and three parts potting soil in a bucket. This gives you a seed application rate of approximately 10 to 15 seeds per square inch and results in the healthiest-looking grass patch repair.

How to get grass seed to work?

Before you seed the area, get down and dirty by pulling weeds and removing any dead grass from the area. Grab a rake and roughen the soil in the bare spot and surrounding area. This will give the seeds a better chance to work into the soil and establish their roots quickly.

How long does it take for grass seed to grow in bare spots?

How to Plant Grass Seed in Bare Spots. Seeding bare spots in lawn areas is a simple task that can be completed in just a few hours. It can take several weeks for new seed to turn into green grass, but the wait is definitely worth it. Prepare the Soil.

What to do with bare spots on a plant?

Seeding bare spots can often draw in songbirds looking for a free meal. If you have a large (and hungry) bird population, you might want to add a loose layer of straw over the seed just until it germinates. Remove the covering as soon as seedlings appear, or you may weaken the young plants. Water It Down.

What to do if you are not sure what seed to use?

If you’re not sure what seed to use, give your local extension office a call. They can identify the perfect grass for your area and help figure out what types of grass will give you the quickest grass spot repair solution.

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