Repairing Bare Spots in your Lawn

1. Causes of Bare Spots – You need to first determine the cause of the bare spots in your lawn. If you can rule out insects, fungi, or disease, you may have a problem with your lawn just being worn down.

   1. Heavy foot travel or an often used play area can result in compaction of the soil and actually suffocating the grass. You may need a good healthy seed, fertilizer, and mulch that will cover and grow consistently.
   2. If diseases or insects are the culprit, you need to determine if the bare spots are related – if each spot has the same symptoms or if you need to treat some differently because of a combination of things. Most treatments for diseases or insects may need to be treated by applying before new grass is planted. Read the instructions carefully and avoid downstream run off or possible contamination of toys and pets.

2. Preparing the ground – Unlike some fairy tales, you can’t just throw seeds on the ground and hope that they will grow.

   1. The temperature of the ground needs to be above 55 degrees for most seeds to grow well. Fall and late spring are the perfect times to replant.
   2. Rough up the area with a shovel or heavy rake about two inches down. The more contact the seeds can make with the soil, the better the seeds will germinate.
   3. Clear any patches of weeds or large clumps of soil and rocks.
   4. Remove a couple of inches of soil to rejuvenate the area. Fill in the area will new top soil and incorporate in the ground. Level the area with the rest of the lawn and rake it out smooth.

3. Planting new seeds – First, determine the kind of seeds needed for your area. Some seeds grow better in hot dry areas and others in shady areas. Also, some seeds have a mixture of fertilizer and mulch in with the seeds. Other kinds will have a combination of seeds. Again, read to determine the best seeds for your area and your yard.

   1. Plant a thin layer of seeds, per instructions.
   2. Gently rake or hand move the soil over the seeds.
   3. Cover it with hay or some type of straw or light mulch to hold in moisture and protect from becoming bird food.

4. Keeping the seeds healthy – Don’t stop now.

   1. Water the seeds in the evening or morning until germination. Once you see the sprouts, you can just water once a day unless it is extremely hot. Be careful not to water too much. You don’t want to drown the seeds either.

Now that you have established your lawn, you will need to maintain it to prevent further bare spots and to promote the regrown of the repaired spots. Xtreme Turf Lawn Care can provide excellent weed control and fertilization services. Serving Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Mobile, the experts at Xtreme Turf will continue to care for your lawn so that you and your family can enjoy the lush lawns that the South is known for.