how to repair lawn spots

1. Grass Seed. One of the most common methods for repairing bare spots is to seed the bare patches. ...
2. Grass Plugs. An alternative to applying grass seed is planting grass plugs in the bare spots to create a uniform surface.
3. Treat Lawn with Insect or Disease Control Products. If the cause for bare spots is disease or insects, then you’ll need to treat your lawn with an insect control ...
4. Apply Fertilizer. For lawns with poor soil conditions, applying fertilizer may help fix the bare spots in your lawn. ...
5. Choose the Best Type of Grass for Your Lawn. Bare spots often occur due to cold weather or excessive shade. ...

Full Answer

How to fix a bad lawn?

Late Spring, Early summer: Measure the Right Amount of Water

• Set a cake pan halfway between your sprinkler and the edge of the spray pattern.
• Watch your clock to see how long it takes the sprinkler to fill the pan with 3/8 inches of water.
• Water for that amount of time three times a week, unless it rains.
• Increase from 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch when the daytime temperatures are above 80 degrees F.

How to repair bare spots in your lawn?

Repairing Bare Spots

• Using a fine spray from a hose, keep the soil moist, but not drenched. ...
• Once the grass is established and growing well, fertilize it with a general lawn fertilizer and begin mowing the patch with the rest of the lawn.
• Monitor the area closely during the first year.

How do you repair a damaged lawn?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Repairing Dead Grass Using Limestone Download Article

1. Remove as much of the dead grass as possible. You can do this by using a trowel, hoe, or small shovel to scrape the dead grass.
2. Sprinkle extra fine grind limestone over the area you’ve scraped. You can do this using the small shovel or trowel from the previous step.
3. Water the area lightly. ...
4. Cover with topsoil and grass seed. ...
5. Top with peat moss. ...

How to seed and repair bare spots in the lawn?

Repairing Bare Spots

1. Dig up the area to a 6-in. depth, breaking up the clumps. ...
2. Mix in topsoil to improve soil quality and help new sod or grass seed get off to a good start.
3. Rake and tamp to firm and level the surface to the surrounding lawn.
4. Apply the lawn product (whichever method you chose from the list above).
5. Water the area well.

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 th...

How to Repair Bare Spots in Lawns

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 n...

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 gr...

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.)

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 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 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.

Why is rooting out bare spots important?

Rooting out causes of bare spots is an important part of the repair process and helps prevent repeats next season. Some damage doesn't require investigation — de-icing salts, household pets and snow removal equipment leave clear calling cards — but other causes aren't always apparent.

What to do if soil is too alkaline?

If your soil becomes too alkaline, a soil test confirms the best approach to lower your soil pH. Sandy soils and clay soils react differently, so follow the recommendations made for your specific soil. Simple corrections at repair time position new seed for optimal growth.

Is green grass good for spring?

Even well-maintained lawns can yield bare or thin spots, but early spring provides excellent opportunities for corrections.

Does Pennington fast acting lime help with pH?

Pennington Fast Acting Lime applied according to soil test results quickly restores acidic soil to the pH range needed for healthy grass growth.

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.

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 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 to restore those troublesome dead patches in your lawn

See dead spots in grass at home? Here's how to fix dead grass and restore healthy grass to areas killed by fertilization or doggy doo-doo.

Problem: Dead spot in grass

Seed dead spots only after you’ve turned and soaked the soil. Otherwise, soil contaminants left by fertilizer spills or pets may kill the new grass.

Required Tools for this how to fix dead grass project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Required Materials for this how to fix dead grass project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

What causes dead spots in lawns?

Dead spots can also occur in the lawn when annual weeds like crabgrass, annual bluegrass, and foxtail begin to die back. This is a natural cycle that can be avoided with proper lawn maintenance and quickly patched with Scotts® EZ Seed® Patch & Repair. As always, be sure to follow the directions on the label.

Why is my lawn turning brown?

When thatch build-up is high, grass plants can actually start to grow roots up in the thatch layer. Because that layer won’t hold water, the plants begin to dry out, causing brown spots in the lawn. To solve the problem, follow the steps in this article to dethatch your lawn. If your lawn develops brown patches, don’t panic.

Why does my lawn have thatch?

Thatch can build up when the lawn is not properly watered, fed, or mowed. It’s an accumulation of dead and decaying plant material between the plant leaf blades and the root system that prevents water and food from getting to the roots. When thatch build-up is high, grass plants can actually start to grow roots up in the thatch layer. Because that layer won’t hold water, the plants begin to dry out, causing brown spots in the lawn. To solve the problem, follow the steps in this article to dethatch your lawn.

Why do GRUB patches roll up?

Patches caused by grubs will feel sponge-like and roll up when raked because of the root damage. To kill existing grubs and prevent future grub damage, use Scotts®GrubEx®1 every spring. Damage can be repaired at any time, though fall is best.

Can you control fungus in rain?

Extremely rainy or humid weather can encourage fungal outbreaks, as can lack of sunlight and poor air circulation. Although you can’t control the weather , there is something you can do to protect against fungus.

Why is there brown stuff on my lawn?

There are ugly brown spots on my lawn. Okay, to be honest, this one’s a little more complicated, because there are several things that could be causing the spots. Possible culprits range from grubs or fungus to foot traffic, weed dieback, and dog urine.

What causes a dog to have brown spots in the yard?

Check out section 4 below to find out what to do. Spots caused by dog urine tend to have brown centers with green outer rings.