Dealing with a bald spot or patch of dead grass in your lawn can be frustrating. However, with a bit of care and effort, you can get your lawn looking lush and green again. Here are some tips on how to fix a bald spot in your lawn.
What causes bald spots in lawns?
There are several potential causes of bald spots in lawns:
- Dog urine – Dog urine contains high levels of nitrogen which can burn grass and create dead patches.
- Disease – Fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot can kill grass in circular patches.
- Insects – Grubs and chinch bugs feed on grass roots and blades, causing dieback.
- Shade – Too much shade from trees or buildings can prevent grass from getting enough sunlight.
- Compaction – Foot traffic, mowers etc can compact the soil, preventing water and nutrients from reaching the grass roots.
- Drought – Lack of water during hot, dry periods will cause grass to go dormant and die.
- Improper mowing – Cutting the grass too short weakens it and allows weeds to invade.
Identifying the cause of the bald spot is the first step in treating it effectively.
How to fix a bald spot in lawn
Here are step-by-step instructions for repairing a bald spot or patch of dead grass in your lawn:
- Remove dead grass – Use a rake or shovel to remove any dead or diseased grass, leaving bare soil.
- Loosen soil – Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 2-3 inches. This allows new grass roots to establish more easily.
- Apply soil amendment – Mix in a 2-3 inch layer of compost or other organic material to improve soil nutrition and drainage.
- Level area – Rake thoroughly to create an even surface and blend the amended soil with surrounding lawn soil.
- Seed bald spot – Apply grass seed suited to your climate at the recommended rate. Use a seed spreader for even coverage.
- Cover lightly with straw – Spread a thin layer of clean straw or peat moss over the reseeded area to protect the seeds.
- Water daily – Water the area lightly every day to keep soil moist but not saturated as the grass germinates.
- Mow when established – Once the new grass reaches 3-4 inches, mow carefully at a high setting to encourage thicker growth.
- Fertilize – Applying a balanced lawn fertilier after 4-6 weeks will help thicken up the new grass.
With proper care, the bald spot should fill in with lush new grass in 2-3 months. Be patient and avoid heavy traffic on the area while it establishes.
Tips for preventing bald spots
To avoid bald spots in the future, implement some of these lawn care best practices:
- Mow high – Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade height at a time.
- Leave clippings – Let clippings break down to return nutrients to the soil.
- Water deeply – Water long enough for moisture to soak 6 inches down into the soil.
- Fertilize – Use a slow-release lawn fertilizer 2-3 times per year.
- Dethatch – Remove thatch buildup to prevent lawn suffocation.
- Aerate – Punch holes in the soil with an aerator to improve air and water flow.
- Overseed – Spread grass seeds annually to maintain thickness.
- Control weeds – Spot treat weeds or use preventative lawn weed control products.
Following best practices for mowing, watering, fertilizing and lawn maintenance will help you grow lush, healthy turf that resists bald spots.
When to call a lawn care professional
For severe or recurring bald spots, it may be best to have a professional diagnose and treat the cause. Lawn care experts can:
- Identify specific disease or insect damage.
- Perform soil tests to analyze nutrient levels.
- Provide customized treatment plans.
- Apply professional grade fertilizers or pesticides.
- Conduct core aeration and overseeding.
- Level and resurface damaged areas.
While fixing small bald spots yourself is often feasible, calling in the experts can be worthwhile for large or stubborn areas of dead grass. Their experience, equipment and products can get your lawn back to full health.
Products for repairing bald spots
Having the right tools and materials can make fixing bald spots much easier. Here are some recommended products:
| Product | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Garden rake | Removing dead grass and debris |
| Shovel | Digging out dead grass |
| Garden fork | Loosening and improving soil |
| Compost/manure | Nutrient-rich organic matter to enrich soil |
| Straw/peat moss | Protects newly seeded areas |
| Grass seed | Matched to your climate and lawn type |
| Balanced fertilizer | Encourages thicker turf growth |
Investing in quality tools and inputs will give you the best chance of successfully fixing bald spots.
When to expect results fixing a bald spot
Be patient when repairing bald spots – it can take 2-3 months to see full results. Here is a general timeline:
- 1-2 weeks – Grass seeds begin to germinate and new growth emerges.
- 3-4 weeks – New grass is 1-2 inches tall and can be mowed at a high setting.
- 6-8 weeks – The new grass thickens up and blends into the surrounding lawn.
- 2-3 months – Bald spot is fully filled in and indistinguishable from the rest of the lawn.
Cooler weather, drought, disease or other stresses can slow the repair process. But with proper care you should see results within a few months.
Conclusion
Fixing a bald spot or patch of dead grass in your lawn requires a little work, but is usually an achievable DIY project. The keys are identifying the underlying cause, preparing the soil properly, seeding with high quality grass seed suited to your climate, and consistent watering and mowing as the new grass establishes.
While results take some patience, you can get your lawn looking lush and green again. Following best practices for regular mowing, fertilizing and lawn maintenance will also help prevent bald spots from recurring in the future.
For large or persistent bald areas, calling in a professional lawn care company can be worthwhile. Their expertise, equipment and commercial grade products can get your lawn back into top condition.
With a bit of time and TLC, bald spots don’t have to be permanent eyesores. You can repair and revitalize patches of dead grass to restore your lawn’s health and beauty.