How to Repair Bare Spots in Sod

Fall is the preferred time to reseed cool-season grasses.

Lawns take a beating from children's play, dog waste, insects, and disease and drought. As a result, sod can develop bare spots. Filling in those spots as they appear each year is important to reduce weed growth and keep the lawn healthy and attractive. This process, known as reseeding, is best accomplished in the fall or spring, when temperatures are cool and the ground is moist. The new seedlings emerge in three to six weeks, filling in bare spots in the sod.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn mower
• Aerator
• Rake
• Grass seed
• Rotary or drop spreader
• Slice-seeder
• Compost

Instructions

1. Remove weeds and debris from the bare spot. Set the mower blade to a 1-inch cutting height and mow the lawn surrounding the bare spots. Cutting the lawn short will help the seed germinate quickly.

2. Aerate the lawn, including bare spots, with an mechanical aerator or hire a professional. Aerators are available at most rental outlets and gardening retailers. Aerating the lawn extracts small plugs of grass from the soil, improving drainage and reducing compaction. Leave the plugs on the lawn to decompose.

3. Rake the bare spots with a heavy metal rake to lift up thatch or layers of dead grass from the soil. Thatch's heavy, dense growth prevents seeds from germinating.

4. Fill a drop or rotary spreader with grass seed and spread it on the bare spots. Push the spreader over the bare spots as you would a lawn mower, overlapping the rows slightly so the grass is evenly distributed. Hand broadcast small areas or use a slice-seeder to overseed large areas. Slice-seeders make small slits in the soil, cutting through any remaining sod to improve seed germination.

5. Spread a 1/4-inch layer of compost or soil over the grass seed, pressing it down lightly with the back of the rake to ensure it has good contact with the soil. Water the newly planted seed lightly immediately after planting. Water the soil lightly two or three times per day, if necessary, to keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. The seed won't germinate if it is allowed to dry out. Slowly reduce extra watering. Mow the grass when it stands 3 inches high. Care for it as you would the rest of the lawn.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose grass seed adapted to your area. A high-quality mix formulated for your region may cost more but usually performs better than a generic, packaged mix. Kentucky bluegrass has been replaced in dry areas with drought-resistant tall fescue or perennial rye grass mixes. Grass mixes specifically adapted for shady areas or high traffic areas also are available.

• Read the package directions or ask a nursery expert for information on the amount of seed to use. In general, use 1 to 1-1/2 lbs. seed per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Using too much grass seed results in crowding and competition. Too little seed results in a bumpy, uneven lawn.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Repair Bare Spots in the Lawn; Joe Jullian; 2010
• Ohio State University Extension; Natural Organic Lawn Care; Jane C. Martin, et al.

Resources

• Cornell University Gardening Resources; Choosing Lawn Grasses; 2010