how to repair bare lawn patches

How to Fix Bare Spots in Lawn

1. Grass Seed. One of the most common methods for repairing bare spots is to seed the bare patches. This can easily be...
2. Grass Plugs. An alternative to applying grass seed is planting grass plugs in the bare spots to create a uniform...
3. Treat Lawn with Insect or Disease Control Products. If the cause for bare spots is disease or...

Full Answer

How do you fix a patchy lawn?

You can also use a lawn repair mix ($15, The Home Depot) that includes grass seed and mulch or soil, and just sprinkle that on top of the bare patch. Mow the new grass when it reaches about 3 inches tall. Spread a thin layer of topsoil or straw over the lawn repair area that you've just patched with seed.

How to fix bare spots in lawns?

If the spot returns, then continue to investigate the cause. Learning how to fix bare spots in lawn spaces is an essential part of lawn maintenance. The best method for grass spot repair is to overseed with new grass seed in the affected area.

When is the best time to repair bare spots in lawns?

Late spring is the best time to plant and repair bare spots in warm season grasses. Early fall is the best time to repair bare spots in cool season grasses. When using lawn treatments or lawn care products, always follow package directions regarding proper clothing, protective equipment, application procedures and safety precautions. 1.

How do I fix compaction on a bare patch?

Stamp your foot hard onto the soil of the patch. If it feels hard on contact, you have a problem with compaction. This means that you will need to consider what is causing the compaction so that it does not reoccur after mending the bare patch.

How do I fix bare patches in my lawn?

Mow damaged spots and surrounding areas at normal spring mowing levels, and then remove dead or damaged grass to expose clean soil. If leveling is needed, add or remove topsoil, rake spots briskly, and then smooth the surface. Loose, smooth soil invites new seedlings to take hold.

Will existing grass fill in bare spots?

No, most types of lawn grass doesn't reseed itself, so to fill those areas in, they will need to be seeded. Once seeded, it will take between 7 and 30 days to grow from seed to plant. Although grass will not fill in on its own, it is not hard for you to fill it in. Reseeding is the best way to fill in those areas.

What is the best way to grow grass in bare spots?

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

How to get rid of spindly grass?

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.

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.

Can you narrow down bare spots?

Don’t worry if you can’t narrow down the exact cause of the bare spots right away. Just paying attention to the location and size before you begin to repair spots can make a huge difference. If the spot returns, then continue to investigate the cause.

How do I patch a dead lawn?

Prepare the soil the same way you would for patching with seed. Keep the area an inch or so below grade so the new grass will be level with the lawn. Then cut a piece from the strip of sod to fit the repair site. Press it firmly onto the soil, placing its edges snugly against the surrounding lawn. Walk on it to settle it into place. Water deeply and often until roots grow into the soil beneath the sod.

How do I repair a lawn?

Spread a thin layer of topsoil or straw over the lawn repair area that you've just patched with seed. This protects the seed and, later, the sprouts from wind or getting washed away. More importantly, by covering the soil, it reduces moisture loss. A constant supply of moisture is the key to good germination for a repaired lawn.

How often should I fertilize my lawn?

Keeping a lawn in tip-top shape often means applying an organic fertilizer twice a year, aerating periodically to discourage thatch buildup and soil compaction, watering regularly, and properly mowing it. But even if you do everything right, you can still end up with bare, thin, or weedy patches here and there.

Why is my lawn bare?

One of the most important parts of lawn repair is figuring out what has caused the problem. Sometimes an accident, such as a fertilizer spill, creates a bare spot in the lawn. Or there could be a plant disease, destructive insects, or competition for light and moisture from overgrown neighboring plants.

What do I need to repair a lawn?

What You Need for Lawn Repair. To fix larger areas of your lawn, you'll need a few tools. If you're just working on a small patch, you can get away with just gras s seed, topsoil, and a trowel. Lawn mower.

How to grow grass seed in a garden?

Otherwise, use a mixture of grasses appropriate for your region. Cover seeds with a light sprinkling of topsoil or a thin layer of compost. Then, lightly water the area to help the seeds germinate.

1. Investigate to Figure Out Why You Have Bald Spots in the Lawn

First and foremost, you need to figure out what’s going on. There are reasons why you have bare spots in the first place and you need to figure out why (so it doesn’t just happen again).

3. Add Sod to Bare Spots for an Instant Fix

While we understand that many homeowners want to know how to get grass to grow in bare spots, this really is not the optimal solution. Plus, for a lot of homeowners, attempting to grow grass in a bare spot can be frustrating. Seed can take a while to germinate and grow and you have to deal with the ugly bare spots while you wait.

Getting Back on Track to a Healthy Lawn

At Grassperson, there is nothing we enjoy more than helping homeowners to love their lawns. We understand the absolute frustration involved when there are unsightly bare patches that take away from that enjoyment. But we can help fix the problems and provide an instant solution that will get you back on track.

What Causes Bare Spots In Lawns

HOW TO INSTALL / REPAIR A SOD PATCH ON LAWN OR GRASS – Perfectly Every Time!!!!!!

Patching An Existing Lawn With New Sod

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos have turned me into the impatient, Gotta Have it Now person that I am today.

One: Plugs Or Squares

First decide if you will use plugs or squares. Typically, grass plugs come in trays of 36 plugssmall cubes of soil with grass. Plugs are planted 6-12 apart. Squares can be purchased singly or by the pallet. A pallet of sod squares covers 400-500 square feet .

How Do I Fix Brown Spots In My Lawn

Now that you know a little more about why brown spots are caused, youre probably wondering how to fix them. The answer is water. Especially with the hot summer weather. Oftentimes watering every day is not enough for new lawns! If the grass is dry, it needs water. Especially in the first 8 weeks after its installed.

Will Fertilizer Fix Brown Spots

Fertilizer wont help your grass until its green and healthy again. If the sod is dying, the fertilizer wont take. Wait to fertilize until it has greened back up. Once your sod is healthy, fertilizer helps it grow and establish the deeper root system it needs.

How To Fill In Bare Or Patchy Spots

Patching your lawn may seem like a big undertaking, especially if you remember what it was like setting up your lawn in the first place. But you can get it done in a few simple steps. First, choose whether you want to use seed or sod.

How To Repair A Lawn & Seed Bare Patches

Water’s only part of what you need to fix those dead spots in your lawn and keep them from coming back.