†
How to Fix a Lawn Patch
There are many reasons why lawn patches occurs. Also known as bald spots, lawn patches are identified by their worn-down appearance, dried grass, and exposed soil. This tends to occur on areas where the grass experiences heavy foot traffic, such as parks and other public areas. In some cases, fungus may cause a section of the lawn to die, or pets may relieve themselves, causing dog spots.
Fixing lawn patches is essential to proper lawn care. It is not only beneficial to the look of your lawn, but also for its health and the health of the plants. In situations where diseases have formed, remedying the lawn patch is vital to ensure that your lawn survives and will continue to thrive.
Step-by-Step: Fixing Lawn Patches
The process of fixing lawn patches may vary from region to region. If you live in the South or West, you will need to fix bald spots during the late spring or throughout the summer, as this is when warmer-season grass grows actively and patches fill in quickly.
If you live in cooler regions, such as the North or Northern Midwest, aim for mid-spring or early fall, as this is when cooler-season grass is at its best growing period.
If you plan on fixing patches on your own, here are the materials and steps you should take:
Materials needed:
- Soil, compost, or topsoil
- Hard rake
- Grass seed
- Wheat straw
- Garden hose
- Sprinkler
- Hand spreader
Steps:
- Use a hard rake to spread soil or compost to cover the lawn patch with a ½-inch thick layer.
- Take a hand spreader and sprinkle grass seed evenly over the affected area, while overlapping with grass edges not covered by soil.
- Sprinkle wheat straw over the freshly seeded spot to help it stay moist until it sprouts. Grass seeds need to stay moisturized in order to sprout.
- Water the area twice a day for 10 minutes until the grass grows to about an inch tall. Then scale it back and water three times a week for 10 minutes.
What is Overseeding?
Overseeding is a term used to describe a lawn care technique that spreads new grass seed to overhaul the entire lawn rather than a portion of it. It is useful if you have numerous lawn patches around the lawn or are looking to switch your grass type before the upcoming season.
In warmer climates, the original grass type may become dormant or turn brown when cooler temperatures come in. Overseeding your lawn with a cool-season grass, such as annual ryegrass, can help you attain a green lawn year-round. For cooler climates, overseed in the fall with cool season grass as the temperatures drop.
To do this, mow the lawn down as close as you can without actually scalping the roots. Take a rotary spreader and spread the grass seed to cover the entire lawn. Water daily until it sprouts, then scale back to watering twice a week. You should begin to see the grass blades poke through and eventually sprout across the entire lawn.
Reach out to us here at LawnCare.Net for help with lawn spots and overseeding. Our network of experts can provide the services and lawn care plans your yard needs to stay well-maintained.