Dead, bare spots in your lawn are unsightly, and they indicate that something is wrong with the turf. Take action before the entire yard is brown. Even if the bald spots are from something easily fixed, like a pet urinating in the same place every day, do some repair work to bring back your lush, green grass.

5 Steps to Fixing Bare Spots in Turf

1. Address the Cause

While pet urine is a common cause of bald spots, disease, fungus, and grubs can also create bare patches on your lawn. Before trying to regrow grass, determine why there are patches, and address the issue. If you don’t, your efforts will be unsuccessful.

2. Clear the Dead Turf

Grass seeds grow best when they have adequate contact with the soil. Remove the dead turf by using a shovel and spade, and add a few inches of fresh topsoil in its place. If the patch is already completely grass-free, loosen the top few inches of dirt—seeds won’t grow if they’re tossed on hard soil.

3. Plant

Scatter high-quality grass seeds over the prepared patch. Lightly press the seeds into the soil to ensure they make good contact with the ground. Next, cover them with a thin layer of straw to retain moisture and keep birds from snacking on them.

4. Water

Grass needs plenty of water to grow full and healthy. Water the seeds in the early morning and evening until they germinate. Once the new blades have sprouted, water the lawn every day.

5. Fertilize

Once the grass has begun to fill in, apply a light layer of fertilizer to nourish the new sprouts and help them become established. However, you shouldn’t over-fertilize. Too much formula and hot weather will burn the young, delicate grass, creating new bare patches in the turf.

If you want to rid your lawn of brown, bald patches, get new turf from the team at Alii Turf on Oahu, HI. These professionals turn unsightly lawns into beautiful outdoor spaces, using high-quality turf and sod. Call (808) 293-8873 to request a quote or schedule an appointment.