Tips for Dealing With Bare Spots in Grass

There are so many reasons why bare spots are created in grass, ruining the overall look of a well kept lawn. Some problems areas and bare spots are easier to fix than others, mainly because of the way they were created. Dealing with bare spots in grass that are a result of foot traffic, items being left on the lawn for too long or accidentally spilling chemicals and concentrated fertilizer is possible and a lot easier than spots as a result from infected or bug infested grass.

Filling in the bare spots in grass takes a little more than spreading seed, raking and dropping mulch over the whole area in order to be successful. Use these tips to ensure that you spend your money wisely and get the job done the first time.

Tips for Dealing With Bare Spots in Grass

Timing is Everything

Most homeowners try to deal with bare spots in the grass as soon as they notice the problem appearing, and this happens when grass reappears. In fact, spring is the worst time to try and reseed grass because the soil is too wet and compact after all the snow and rain. Instead, reseed bare spots that appeared in the fall, when the soil begins drying out, temperatures are cooler and seeds will be able to germinate easier with fewer new plants trying to seed.

Recondition Soil for Best Results

Spreading seed on soil and raking in isn’t always going to result in a lush regrowth of the grass- especially if it is the result of compacted soil. Always recondition soil first to avoid having to seed and reseed again and again in order to get the lawn back to the rate of growth that you want to see. Work soil to a depth of six inches down, adding nutrients, root enhancer and peat moss or a small amount of sand to keep compacted soil broken up.

Remove Damaged Soil

Grass that has died because of over fertilization or the spillage of some chemical or another needs to be removed entirely. Dig up the soil where grass is dead and two inches around the dead grass because the chemical are too high for new seed to grow and thrive. Replace soil with new soil and add nutrients for new seed to grow.

Match Up Grass

To remove the appearance of bare spots entirely, you need to first know what type of grass is already growing on your lawn. Seeding the entire area and the perimeter will help reduce the appearance of the spot and meld the area completely. Grass centers generally have a large selection of seed, but if you are unable to find an exact match, don’t go with what you think is closest, but with a blended mix that will help the section disappear into the lawn as much as possible.

Help Spot Retain Moisture

Once seed is down, it is important to keep it in place and ensure that the soil retains moisture. Use grass clippings or mulch to cover the newly seeded area of the lawn. Grass will not only protect and keep moisture in, but it acts as an excellent fertilizer because it already contains the nutrients that grass requires to grow.