Bare Spots In Your Lawn? Here's How To Fix Them

Is your lawn looking a little patchy? Those bald brown spots can be pretty embarrassing, and no amount of watering seems to bring them back to life. They're not as hard to fix as you might imagine, but you have to go about it the right way. Follow these simple steps to re-plant those bald spots and create a more even-looking lawn.

Step 1: Pulling Up and Raking

Start by pulling all of the dead grass out of the brown spot. You can use gloved hands to do this. A little garden rake or hoe can help you loosen tough spots. Once the dead grass has all been removed, use a garden rake to break up the soil. It should be loose and light.

Step 2: Applying Topsoil

One of the reasons why the patches may be brown is that the soil in that area has become too compact or nutrient depleted. Adding a little more topsoil will help. You can purchase bags of topsoil at most home and garden stores. Sprinkle about a 2 – 3 inch layer on top of the patch, and then pack it down gently (just enough to keep it in place.)

Step 3: Seeding

Purchase fresh grass seed. Don't use seed that has been sitting around a while; its germination rate may not be very high any more. Purchase a variety that comes coated in fertilizer. Not only will this ensure that the seeds are well nourished as they begin to grow, but it will also make them less appealing to bugs and animals that may wish to eat them.

Sprinkle a generous amount of grass seed over the patch. Make sure it is evenly distributed. About a half cup of seed per square foot is ideal. Pat the seed down gently.

Step 4: Watering and Ongoing Care

Sprinkle water over the freshly-laid grass seed. Then, cover the area with straw. This will help keep the moisture in. Water the area daily. Peel back the straw every couple of days. When you see that the seed has germinated, remove the straw.

Keep watering the grass daily until the grass growing in the patch is as thick and strong as the grass in the surrounding yard. Then, you can water the patch on the same schedule as the rest of your lawn. Do not mow the grass until it is well established and blends in with the rest of  the lawn – this will take a month or so.

For more information, contact Green Leaf Lawn Services or similar company.