A well-maintained lawn is often considered beautiful. It enhances the curb appeal of the house. But what if the mesmerizing beauty of the lawn is disturbed by large bare spots? The primary concern is how such large bare spots form. Therefore, it's important to identify the causes and the solution to prevent bare spots in the lawn. The problem with bare spots is that they can lead to something severe like soil compaction. There are various ways to repair and fix them. In this blog, we have discussed causes, methods, and steps to patch the bare spots in a lawn.
Understanding the Causes of Bare Spots
Multiple causes of bare spots in lush, green, and healthy lawns exist. They could be due to excessive foot traffic, poor soil conditions, pet urine, grub infestation, chemical spills, fungal disease, buried rocks, etc. Various methods can be used to patch the bare spots. Hence, understanding and acknowledging the underlying reasons can help prevent bare spot problems in the lawn.
Best Methods to Patch Bare Spots
Here are some options that work best for patching the bare spots at the right time of year.
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Seed patching - The ideal time for patching with seed in northern cold-winter zones is late summer and fall, as the most popular cool-season grasses grow consistently in late summer and fall. You can also seed in early spring, but ensure it is done before the arrival of hot mid-summer months. It gives time for the grass to be well-rooted by the summer months.
The best time to sow grass seed in warm winter zones is late spring and early summer because warm-season grasses dominate in warm winter zones.
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Sod patching - One can succeed at cutting patches for bare spots during most of the growing season. Though make sure to moisten the sod patch while it is taking hold. Additionally, sod supplies at garden centers are seasonal in most of the regions. Thus, patch the bare spots while the supplies are accessible.
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The best time to plant sod patches is by mid-October if you live in a zone where hard frost comes by early December.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Patch the Bare Spots
Here are the detailed instructions for patching large bare spots on the lawn.
Step #1
Beginning to patch: preparation of soil.
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Remove dead grass from all the areas before beginning to patch the law.
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Then, remove weeds and wilted grass thoroughly to prepare the soil.
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Turn the soil to a depth of 6 inches, removing all roots and rocks with a garden rake or cultivator.
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Mix the compost or well-rotted manure with the soil.
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Smoothen the soil with a ground rake and then tamp the soil using your hands.
Step #2
Patch the lawn after preparing the soil. Two well-known methods work, and here are detailed instructions.
Seeding - One can do seeding with either one's hand or a spreader.
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As per the recommended rate of sowing, sow the seed and scatter it around using your hand or a spreader. Ensure that the area is covered with the seeds, but do not create a pile with excess use.
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Now, the seeds have to be raked about ½ - inch into the soil.
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Compact the seed to the soil using a roller or your feet. Afterward, cover the seed with a thin layer of wheat straw.
Sodding - The fastest way to upgrade the lawn’s visuals is patching with sod.
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Use a shovel to cut the patch of the soil and place it over the bare spot area. Then, add the edges of the sod together with the grass around the area, using your hands to press it.
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Sod might appear higher than the surrounding lawn. Therefore, remove some soil from the patch, smoothen it, and repeat the process.
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To ensure that the sod roots have the right amount of contact with the soil, tap with your feet gently over the top of the area.
Step #3
Water lawn - It is one of the important tasks to regularly care for the patched lawn.
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Use a sprayer or a sprinkler to gently water the new seeds with the mist attachment.
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Use a strong spray to water the sod.
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It is required to soak both the seeds and sod to a depth of about 4- inches on the first day, followed by daily watering. If required, water twice daily until it is well-rooted with the soil.
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Use lawn fertilizer to ensure the lawn is well-nourished, not just well-watered.
Final Words
Fixed and patched bare spots play an important role in enhancing the curb appeal of the lawn and the house's overall appearance. Although patching the lawn is essential, caring for it is equally important. Keep fixing large bare spots to prevent huge problems like soil compaction.
