Best way to patch grass

Patchy dead spots can come from all sorts of directions, including fungal diseases such as brown patch and rust, animal digging, grub damage, dog urine and plain, old heat and drought. These conditions leave your yard looking the worse for wear.

Grass seed germinates well in the cooler, more damp conditions that surround us in the fall. Taking the extra time in September and October to revitalize your grass will have your yard looking fresh and lush, and will have your neighbors asking for lawn advice come spring. With preparation, the right quality seeds, well-prepared soil, and a little patience, you can start a new lawn yourself.

Skip to main content. Customize by ZIP Code. Featured Articles. Important Lawn Maintenance Projects for the Fall. The Benefits of Fall Feeding. Featured Products. Quick Guide to Lawn Repair 1. How to Repair and Seed Your Lawn. Fill In Bare Spots. Augustine lawns There is one exception. Water Well. Follow with Food. Kill Weeds and Pests. Watch for Grubs. Wait Before Mowing. Related Articles Whether you are just starting out, maintaining or troubleshooting, you'll find advice and answers here for all your lawn care needs.

Related Article. Planting Grass for a New Lawn. Learn More. Scotts Lawn Expert Ashton Ritchie shows you how to fix bare spots in your lawn. Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions about grass seed from consumers like you. Once everything's planted, you'll need to keep your renovated lawn moist.

For the first week or so after planting, be sure the soil doesn't go dry. After the grass is up and growing, keep the area just moist not soggy or dry. This may mean watering a couple of times a day early on for short, five-minute applications. Over time, you can go to a once-a-day watering for 10 or 15 minutes. It's also important to water evenly so that your seed doesn't wash away, creating bare spots.

The same goes for sprigs and plugs: After you see a couple of new shoots, it's time for fertilizer if you want to use it. Just be sure to wait until there's growth, because you can burn roots if you fertilize too early. When the grass is about three inches tall, give it its first mowing. This will discourage weeds and encourage the spread of your new grass. This simple step makes a huge difference in the success of the project!

Be sure the mower blade is sharp the first time you mow; a dull blade could rip the seedlings right out of the ground. Then mow as you normally would to keep the grass at the height you want it.

For the health of your turf, don't cut off more than a third of the leaf length during any one mowing. By Andrea Beck Updated July 02, Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team.

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