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How to deal with Lawn Patches?

By Louis Koen

Lawn patches are like those bald spots you see on your head, these are areas where you don’t see much grass. During the winter’s lawn grass goes dormant, resulting in zero growth. There can be various reasons for lawn patches. It can be from the dirt, infestations, or pet urine etc. And it’s so disheartening to find these lawn patches especially when you’ve spent so much time cultivating it beautifully. The best time to repair lawn patches is when the weather is moist and warm.

Before moving ahead, let’s understand what are the causes behind lawn patches and how to fix them.

Causes behind Lawn Patches

Shade

Grasses thrive on sunlight and if it remains in shade for longer, it starts drying out. It gradually starts fading. Shade can come from buildings, shrubs, homes and even furniture placed inside the lawn.

Traffic

During a dormant period if there is a heavy footfall, it adds extra stress on the grass. The traffic can be from kids playing or people just coming to and from. Pets, especially dogs, can ruin the grass. Block off such areas for some time until it regains fullness.

Debris

If you have recently removed debris from your lawn such as stubborn weed, its residue can wilt the grass.

Lack of Moisture

Sometimes due to lack of sufficient water, soil becomes thick and hard resulting in dead bare patches in your lawn. A very hot and humid temperature can also cause widespread patches. However, you can prevent this simply by watering the lawn daily.

When is the best time to repair bare lawn patches?

Spring or autumn season is considered best as this is the time when weather is damp and cool. Before patching it up, understand the root cause of the problem and then start fixing it. Decide if you want to patch the affected area or redo the entire lawn. It totally depends on how affected your lawn is.

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How to fix bare lawn patches?

Here’s a comprehensive list of solutions for you. Just go through it to know which among these is best for your lawn.

Prepare a good soil mix

To start patching a lawn, first remove any grass that’s already there on the affected area. Then prepare a soil mix by removing any stubborn weed or dead grass. Add compost, manure, and other nutrients to the soil which will enrich its quality. Use a rake to dig the soil at least 6 inches deep and then gently mix everything together using your hands.

Sowing grass seeds

Spread your chosen grass seeds carefully. Read the instructions carefully before spreading the seeds over the patch. Sow the seeds evenly about 1 inch deep using a rake. Make sure the seeds are spread on an equal and slightly wet surface. After scattering the seeds, cover it with a mulch. This mulch could be anything such as wheat straw. Then, water the entire area lightly. Leave it covered for around 10 days. New seeds will germinate in around 10-15 days.

Check the patch regularly

If the soil dries out, water it using a sprayer. The goal is not to let the grass seed die from drying out. Keep the soil moist and at the same time avoid overwatering. Don’t let the soil become soggy otherwise the seeds will die. Once the seedlings grow 4 inches in height, it is ready to be mowed.

When you are learning how to patch a lawn, the only tip is you should understand what works best for your lawn. If you still need some help you can always get in touch with us. Our team at Swell Irrigation will assist you from start to finish.