how to repair dug up lawn

How to Repair Dig Spots on Your Lawn

1. Mow the Grass Around the Holes. Fixing holes in your lawn is going to involve some reseeding. Before you can lay seed...
2. Fill in the Gaps. Using a topsoil mix, fill in each hole so that it is just about level with the surrounding area.
3. Spread Grass Seed and Fertilizer Over the Refilled Hole. Grab your Bad Spot!™ container and...

Full Answer

How do you fix a soggy lawn?

If the soil level is above the surrounding grade, then remove a layer of the soil with the blade of a flat shovel, creating a smooth transition between the surrounding lawn and the disturbed area. Spread grass seed or sod over the soil, using the same grass variety as the existing lawn's variety.

How do you fix a broken section of grass?

Using a half moon edging iron and spade remove the damaged grass by cutting the section out in a square shape. Gently forking over the remaining soil in the section. Sprinkle compost or top soil over the section.

How do you fix a deep ditch in a lawn?

Lawn depressions that are deeper than 3-4 inches can be more complicated to repair. These kinds of tracks are usually caused by heavy machinery or a car driving through a wet yard. 1. Remove the grass Use a shovel to cut the edges of the sod and dig up any grass in the rut.

How do you get rid of grubs in your lawn?

If grubs have killed off most of your lawn, reseeding large sections is the best option. Remove all the dead grass with a garden rake. Compost the grass, if you have a compost pile, or place it in lawn bags for pickup. Rake the soil to loosen it, placing any grubs you find in soapy water.

What is the best time to water a lawn?

The timer controls the sprinkler, so you'll be sure the lawn gets the proper amount of water. Pro tip: The best time to water is early morning, when the sun starts to rise.

How to get rid of dog urine in yard?

Plant new grass seed in the bare spots and keep it watered. Note: Gypsum and water are the antidotes for dog spots in your yard. Gypsum neutralizes the dog urine, and the water soaks the area for new grass seed.

How many square feet does a 40 lb bag of fertilizer cover?

Pro tip: A 40-lb. bag covers 4,000 square feet. Note: You could give your lawn a third application of fertilizer, but chicken manure works even better because it contains more nitrogen, which gives the grass a healthy, green look (there's hardly any odor).

How to stop stones from getting sucked up?

Start along the street and vacuum into the yard until you no longer hear stones getting sucked up.

When to apply soil activator?

In early to mid-September, apply soil activator over your yard, just as you did in the spring.

Do you have to pay for a lawn service?

Achieving a lush grass lawn doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. And you don’t have to pay big bucks for a lawn service to douse your yard with chemicals either. Growing healthy, green grass is mainly just a matter of knowing what to give your lawn, and when to give it.

How to thicken grass?

If your grass is thinning slightly, you may be able to thicken it up with a fast acting nitrogen rich fertiliser. Whilst nitrogen also helps to make your grass greener, it can also help strengthen the roots of your current grass. However, if the area is particularly 'bald' a reseed will be more efficient.

How to get grass to grow faster?

The quick release fertiliser will give the damaged grass the quick boost it needs in preparation for reseeding which will then help your lawn grow faster and fill out quickly. To avoid grass blade burning apply fertiliser evenly on an overcast day or in the evening when it’s not too hot.

How to protect seed from birds?

Sprinkle a small amount of compost or top soil on the seed to protect it from birds.

How to remove damaged grass?

Using a half moon edging iron and spade remove the damaged grass by cutting the section out in a square shape.

When to oversee patchy grass?

To get the best results carry out overseeding when conditions are at optimum, between April – September. Follow these easy steps to overseed patches:

Can lawns be patchy?

Even with regular maintenance sometimes lawns can suffer surface thinning (don't we all!), patchiness and occasionally pits / holes will form . However, these can be easily repaired and remedied with a little bit of light work! Here's how:

What to do if the soil level is below the grade?

If the soil level is above the surrounding grade, then remove a layer of the soil with the blade of a flat shovel, creating a smooth transition between the surrounding lawn and the disturbed area.

When is the best time to replace lawn grass?

Spring and fall are the best times of year to replace lawn grass that was disturbed. Cut the edge of existing sod back to where it is thick and healthy around the perimeter of the disturbed area. Cutting existing sod in segments of straight lines makes installing new sod flush with the existing sod easier.

Can you replace sod before digging?

Ideally, the work area's sod is removed carefully and set aside before the digging begins. If it is not , then replacing a section of grass is a straightforward project.

Who is Brian Barth?

Brian Barth works in the fields of landscape architecture and urban planning and is co-founder of Urban Agriculture, Inc., an Atlanta-based design firm where he is head environmental consultant. He holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Georgia. His blog, Food for Thought, explores the themes of land use, urban agriculture, and environmental literacy.

What Can I Do To Repair It?

It may be tempting just to put additional grass seed in the rut, but there will still be compacted soil underneath.

How to loosen a rut in a rut?

Find the edge of the tire marks. Loosen the soil by placing a shovel or spade fork at a 45-degree angle into the rut. Since the rut is shallow, there is no need to dig very far.

How deep are ruts in lawn?

Shallow ruts are 1-3 inches deep. They are usually caused by a car or a mower. Always mowing in the same direction can cause shallow ruts. You can avoid these kinds of tracks by switching directions in your mowing pattern. Mowing when the ground is wet can also cause ruts.

What grasses grow in the spring?

Warm season grasses include Bermuda, Buffalo, Bahia, Saint Augustine, and Zoysia grasses. These usually have a growth spurt in the late spring.

How to get rid of depression in grass?

A patch of different grass will stand out and look strange! Water the area well every day. If there is still a depression after a few weeks, use a spade to gently lift the grass area again.

How deep is a lawn depression?

Lawn depressions that are deeper than 3-4 inches can be more complicated to repair. These kinds of tracks are usually caused by heavy machinery or a car driving through a wet yard.

When to remove tire ruts?

It’s best to wait until the grass is in a growth spurt to remove tire ruts. This is usually in the late spring or early fall, depending on the climate and the grass.

What to do if grubs kill your lawn?

If grubs have killed off most of your lawn, reseeding large sections is the best option .

How to prevent grubs in lawn?

Water grass deeply but infrequently to help prevent grubs. Image Credit: Danil Bukharov/iStock/GettyImages. Water the lawn deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and a thick lawn. Grubs thrive in areas with thin grass and moist soil, so keeping the lawn as lush as possible helps prevent grubs.

What is a broadcast lawn spreader?

A broadcast lawn spreader helps reseed large areas evenly and quickly. Image Credit: chrisroselli/iStock/GettyImages. If grubs have killed off most of your lawn, reseeding large sections is the best option. Remove all the dead grass with a garden rake.

Why do my lawns look dead?

If random sections of your lawn look completely dead even though you water them regularly, your yard may have a grub problem. Grubs, which are actually beetle larvae, feed on grass roots, causing damage or even death to parts of the lawn. To make matters worse, grubs are tasty snacks for birds, raccoons, skunks and other neighborhood creatures that may dig up your lawn to find them. In some regions, an investation of moles is a good sign that you may be dealing with a grub problem, as these underground animals will feed on grubs.

How to get rid of bald spots on lawn?

Sprinkle grass seeds over the area; 10 to 15 seeds per square inch is a good target quantity for a completely bald area; less will suffice if surrounding grass is still fairly healthy. Tamp the seeds down gently with your foot, then sprinkle no more than 1/4 inch topsoil over the seeds.

Why is my grass not turning green?

Grass that won't turn green, even when watered, may have root damage. Image Credit: pgaborphotos/iStock/GettyImages. Besides patches of grass turning brown and never re-greening even with plenty of water, a few telltale signs point to grubs as the cause of your lawn's failing health.

What to do if a skunk is digging in my yard?

Raccoons, skunks, or other small animals digging all over the yard for no obvious reason also could mean grubs are present. Lift up a handful of the affected grass. If it isn't loose enough to come completely free from the surrounding lawn, use a pocket knife or garden tool to cut an arc or triangular flap.