how to repair bald spots on lawn

How do you get rid of bald spots on a lawn?

Most bald spots are too small for a sod cutter, so use a garden knife or a spade to remove the dead grass. When cutting out the bald spot, you’ll cut about 2 inches into the healthy grass.

How do I fix a bare spot on my lawn?

In most areas, the best solution is to replant the bare spot with new grass. There are several options: You can apply grass seed and fertilizer separately. Spread straw as a mulch after planting the grass seed to help keep it moist and safe from birds. Lawn patch products combine grass seed, fertilizer and mulch blends in one bag.

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.

How to patching bald spots with sod?

See this step-by-step guide to laying sod. 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.

How do I repair bare patches 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.

What causes bald spots in lawn?

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.

How do you seed bare spots in your lawn?

5:196:56How to seed BARE SPOTS in your LAWN - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the grass seed is wet or moist. And then you move on you don't need to puddle it up if you'reMoreAnd the grass seed is wet or moist. And then you move on you don't need to puddle it up if you're puddling up water you're putting way too much on. It. All right so i recommend keeping it watered.

Will grass fill in bare spots on it's own?

Those grasses have runners, meaning vine-like stolons above ground and stem-like rhizomes below ground. “They generate plants off the mother plant and will creep in and fill in bare spots on their own,” he says.

Does putting grass clippings on bare spots help grass grow?

0:001:00Growing Grass : Can Grass Grow From Clippings? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHowever oftentimes when you clip certain grasses you clip off seed heads that might have viable seedMoreHowever oftentimes when you clip certain grasses you clip off seed heads that might have viable seed in it. So that if you put that those clippings down the seed will germinate.

Can I just throw grass seed down on existing 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 grass seed for bare spots?

Touch-Up™ TRI-RYE Perennial Ryegrass is a 100% premium perennial ryegrass blend. The three perennial ryegrasses in this mixture are all dark-green in color and fast to germinate so they are great for filling in bare spots and thickening the lawn quickly.

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 much seed do you need for bare spots?

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 do you overseed thin spots?

0:001:52How to Over-Seed Bare Spots in Your Lawn - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're spots like this one caused by piling up leaves in one place for too long can best beMoreThey're spots like this one caused by piling up leaves in one place for too long can best be restored by over seeding start by raking away the dead grass or thatch.

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!

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.)

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:

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.

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.

Get A Tailored Solution

Each issue is going to require a tailored cure, so lets figure out whats what.

How To Fix Bald Spots

After youve taken care of what caused your bald spots, you can make them green again. Laying down seed so you have new, fresh growth is easy, but there are some things you should consider when you put new seeds on your lawn.

What If You Plan To Add A Lot Of Topsoil To Your Bare Patch

If youre adding a fair amount of topsoil, you will be better off seeding in the late Summer or early Fall. The reason for this is that topsoil carries a lot of weed seeds that will sprout prolifically in the Spring and Summer.

Break Up The Bare Spot And Reseed

Use a small gardening shovel or rake to break up the dry spot on your lawn. Remove any rocks, leaves or debris. Choose the appropriate grass seed for the spots shade density and cast the seeds over the turf. Spread about a half an inch of compost or topsoil on the strewn seeds.

Grass Seed Germinates Readily In The Spring So This Is The Ideal Time To Fix Any Bare Patches That Have Appeared And Make Sure Your Lawn Is A Solid Block Of Perfect Green

New lawns can be started from seed in spring, and bare-patches over-sown with seed to help them fill out. Patches can be caused by a number of reasons. Dog urine can burn grass and cause it to die back. If you leave a thick layer of lawn clippings on the surface of the lawn they can smother the grass below and create a bare patch.

Will Grass Spread To Bare Spots

It really depends on what grass type you have. You may be in luck if your lawn is comprised of either Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, St. Augustine Grass or Creeping Red Fescue.

How To Reseed The Bare Patches In Your Lawn

There are three reasons this option beats patching up your lawn with turf sod and they are:

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.

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 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.