Bare spots in your yard got you down? Well, today is the day you take back control of your lawn! When you look out at dozens of bare spots across your property, the issue can seem overwhelming. But we promise it really isn’t!
Once you identify and correct the issue causing your lawn to show barren areas, five simple steps are all that stand between you and a lush, full, healthy lawn. So don’t delay and repair your bare spots quick and easy today!
Consider the cause and correct it before repairing
Treating only the symptoms of a health issue is never the smart approach to managing our health and well-being. Not only can the causal issue continue, but it can also spread and get much worse.
Bare spots in lawns are another (yet much less serious!) instance where ignoring or treating only symptoms is massively ineffective.
To truly “repair bare spots” in your lawn, you must start by discovering the cause of the bare spots. If you don’t, the brown spots will likely return…and soon. Check out our blog or our complete brown patch guide as an aid to see if you recognize what the problem may be.
However, contacting a local lawn care company will be your most effective option.
Many, many issues can cause your lawn to be brown and become barren in some areas. Below is a list of the most common causes of bare spots and their simplified solutions.
Cause & Solution
Cause | Solution |
| If caught early while grass is still browning, add extra water. |
| Aeration or dethatching |
| Aeration |
| Depending on the time of year, apply fertilizer. |
| Apply less fertilizer more precisely, hire a lawn care company to treat lawn. |
| Only mow when needed and only remove ⅓ of the blade’s length each mow. |
| Sharpen mower blades. |
| Have your lawn treated by a lawn care company. |
| Remove all weeds and have your lawn treated with herbicide. |
| Build a stone patch or add a barrier to block grass. |
| Leash your pet or train them to urinate elsewhere. |
| Identify the pest and treat the issue or hire a pest control company. |
How to Repair Bare Spots
What You’ll Need
Step One – Purchase Sod
Why sod? Not only is sod affordable (only a few dollars per roll), but it’s also the quickest and most effective remedy for bare spots.
Sod is easy to work with (especially if you have many bare spots), and the fresh green results are instantaneous.
Although the new sod you lay may not exactly blend in perfectly with your yard right away, it will in no time. And the lush green results are long-lasting!
For starters, be sure to buy the right kind of sod. No mixing grass species! Once you’ve got your hands on the sod, it is imperative to remember that sod is alive. You must keep it moist until you place it.
Step Two – Prepare the Soil
Before we can jump to greening up your bare spot, the soil must first be made ready. The ground in bare lawn spots is often hardened and covered with debris. For new grass to take hold in these barren regions, the soil must be loose and fertile.
Begin by using a shovel, hoe, or rake to loosen up the top few inches of soil in your bare spots. New roots will need this added wiggle room to reach deep enough to grow thick and lush.
While you’re working, remove any debris in the area that could block a new root system from spreading.
If you have doubts about the soil’s condition, consider mixing in topsoil to help improve soil quality.
In situations where the bare spots were caused by chemical burns, severe pet urine, or something similar, completely remove the top few inches of soil. The damaged soil may continue to impede grass growth if it remains.
After you’ve successfully tossed and loosened the soil, use your garden tools to create a flat, level surface ready for sod placement.
Finally, set your hose into “mist” or another softer setting to lightly moisten the soil. The idea is for the ground to be lightly moist, not drenched.
If loosening the bare areas isn’t going well, check out our blog on how to loosen compact soil.
Step Three – Measure and Install the Sod
Now that you have both sod and soil ready to go, it’s time to cut the sod to fit. Lay the sod on the bare spot making sure the sod makes good contact with the soil bed. Now using a garden knife or a sharp shovel, remove the excess surface area of sod.
Each bare spot should be covered with a patch of sod that is slightly larger than the bare area. A couple of inches of the sod patch should extend over onto your healthy, established grass.
In lawns with loads of small bare spots, one roll of sod can be cut multiple times and used in several areas.
However, if the spot is larger than a patch of sod, simply add another roll until the area is completely covered with that extra couple inches all around.
Clear away the mess of trimmed and extra sod, and walk on the new grass a bit to ensure good, solid contact with soil. Be aware that you should avoid mowing until the grass has become established and grown to mowing height.
Step Four – Watering the Area
Now that the new grass is placed, the best thing you can do to help the new sod get off to a good start is to water it. For your fresh grass to succeed, ample water and moisture are necessary for the first several days.
To start, water immediately after laying the new sod. Continue by watering 2-3 times daily for the first week or until you notice the grass actively growing.
Step Five – Maintaining the New Grass
After a few weeks, the new grass should be established, growing well, and blending in. At this point, you can resume regular watering and mowing activities. This is also a great time to fertilize these new areas to help boost their root development.
During this early period of new grass growth, be aware of how products like pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers affect new grass.
Check the labels for any special instructions on when and how it can be applied to newer grass.
Monitor your lawn to check that bare spots don’t rear their ugly heads again. If you do suffer from bare spots again, some issue is definitely unresolved in your yard. Consult with a lawn care professional on how best to handle your particular situation.
Lawn Care and Repair with Gecko Green
As a locally-owned and operated lawn care and pest control business based in Dallas – Fort Worth, we prioritize giving you the individualized and personalized attention you deserve.
When pesky issues like bare spots plague your lawn, our experts can help you discover the cause and design an effective plan to fix the problem for good.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, the professionals at Gecko Green make lawn care easy from a team you can trust. Experience the Gecko Green difference for yourself!
