Bare spots in lawns are caused by a variety of issues. By following these simple steps, you can repair your lawn to its former lush beauty.
Bare-spotted lawn in Hennepin Co. Photo courtesy of U of MN Ext.
Supplies Needed
- Grass Seed
- Garden, landscape, or thatching rake
- Light weight topsoil, peat moss, compost soil, or topsoil
- Fertilome New Lawn Starter or Mykes Turf Growth Supplement
- Oscillating sprinkler, impulse sprinkler, or sprinkler hose
- Spade, shovel, or rototiller
- Broadcast spreader
- Paper mulch (Optional)
- Water timer and garden hose
Steps
- Use a landscape or thatching rake and clear the area of loose, dead grass.
- Till the soil using a spade, garden fork or rototiller down 3 to 6 inches.
- Rake the area smooth, removing debris, soil lumps and rocks. Add soil if you need to level the area.
- Put down a seed starter fertilizer such as Fertilome using a spreader.
- Spread the grass seed mix appropriate for the conditions. Scatter the seed being careful not to get too much in one place.
- Broadcast paper mulch (Optional). This helps keep moisture on grass seed and lightly covers the seed for protection.
- Water! Water daily to keep the seed and soil moist while you wait for germination and the sprouts are an inch tall. This will take about 3 weeks.Then water once or twice a week depending on rainfall. An inch of water a week is enough. Sunny locations and dry weather will require more frequent watering.
Time To Relax
The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!
