Say goodbye to patchy grass! This step-by-step video shows you how to fix your lawn.
Is your bald spot showing? Not the one on your head — the one in your yard!
Brown, barren, patchy spots in your lawn can be unsightly. Fortunately, getting your lawn back to its lush state is a project you can tackle by yourself. All it takes is a little time and effort to fix those spots so you can have a beautiful, uniform lawn again.
Make sure you're tending to the area under the right conditions. Some seeds won't grow if it's too hot or too cold, so check the packaging or ask an expert at your local gardening center to ensure your hard work won't go to waste.
Watch this video to see how to fix the grass patches in your yard.
Grass dying in patches
There’s no one reason why your parts of your grass may turn brown and patchy. Lawn care products maker Scotts Miracle-Gro says spots can be caused by:
- Dog urine.
- Heavy or repeated foot traffic.
- Toys or other large items left in the grass.
- A buildup of dead and decaying plant material that prevents the lawn underneath from getting properly watered.
- Fungus that’s encouraged by rainy or humid weather, restricting adequate air circulation or exposure to sunlight.
One of the easiest ways to deal with patches is to prevent them before they start. Sometimes it’s as simple as rinsing the grass after a dog relieves itself or putting items away after use so they’re not sitting on your grass for extended periods of time.
How to fix patches in grass
These patches can be fixed with just a little bit of work and some time.
Before you get started, visit your local lawn and garden store to find the right seed. You should choose seed that matches the grass type to your existing lawn and climate. A patch mix with seeds, mulch and fertilizer is an easy all-in-one for beginners. Pet owners may consider grasses less sensitive to urine damage, like ryegrass or fescue.
Start by rolling up your sleeves and clearing out the area. Rake all the dead grass, weeds and debris from the spot to expose the bare soil.
Lightly till or rake the top inch of soil to loosen it for better seed contact. Spread the seeds lightly and evenly. Be careful not the dump too much, or else they’ll compete for the space and choke out. If you’re unsure how much is too much or too little, check the packaging for guidance. Cover it with a thin layer of topsoil or compost to cover the seeds. You want the seeds covered, not buried.
The area needs to be kept moist, so water it lightly and often. Start with 2-3 times a day to keep the soil damp. Adjust as needed based on your climate. Some seed mixes might include a mulch that turns white to indicate it’s time to water.
Mark the area off to prevent traffic from humans or pets. It takes anywhere from a week to 21 days for the germination, so be patient and avoid mowing the spot before the grass has reached 3-4 inches tall.
Wait for a month to a month-and-a-half to apply any high-nitrogen fertilizer to the spot.
What to avoid when fixing patchy grass
Fixing patchy spots can be a long process, so it can be tempting to take shortcuts when you can. However, some shortcuts can result in a failed attempt to fix your lawn.
When fixing a patchy spot, don’t:
- Skip prepping the soil. Seeds won’t take and grow if they’re sitting on top of hard and compacted soil.
- Overwater or underwater. Too much and too little water can kill new seeds.
- Seed in the wrong season. Check the packaging to see when the best time of year is to seed in your area.